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Why Social Well-Being?

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  • The Social-Ecological Approach
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Social well-being is a holistic conception of what is necessary for people and communities to experience positive life trajectories. It assumes that individual well-being is most likely to occur when there is an environment or social ecology that includes multiple supports, protections, resources and opportunities.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - World Health Organization 

Social well-being increases the likelihood of healthy outcomes and behaviors, and the attainment of human rights, good health and socio-economic conditions. A lack of social well-being is associated with negative outcomes, including violence, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, school dropout, infant mortality, sex or labor exploitation, gender and social inequity, chronic disease, substance abuse, social marginalization and poverty.

​From this perspective, we do not view specific problems in isolation, but in context. We seek to promote those aspects of social well-being that are most likely to have a positive impact towards resolving the problem and generally advancing sustainable development. 

 

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950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Third Floor
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-3584
Email: cswd@gwu.edu

 

  

About CSWD

The Center for Social Well-Being and Development is a university-based research center that promotes the understanding and use of a social-ecological approach to support positive health and social outcomes to reduce vulnerability worldwide.

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