Linking Occupation and Place in Community Health

Although the links between occupation and health have been studied historically for some time, little attention has been paid to the links between occupation and place. This article examines links between occupation and place: we argue that to promote inclusive social participation in all occupations, not limited to work, communities need to organize health services with a policy mandate and funding for addressing what people do and the social determinants that influence what they do in particular places. This claim is developed with reference to four vignettes that show the marginalizing influences on social participation when key social determinants of health are problematic - when transportation is inaccessible, weight loss and exercise programs are unaffordable, employment support is minimal, and there is insufficient low cost housing.