An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public Health

[jwplayer file=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhUxOZRn_4E”]

Presenters: Marjory Ruderman
Date Developed: June 2013
Source: Women’s and Children’s Health Policy Center, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

This video presents a very brief explanation of the “ecological model,” sometimes called the “social-ecological model.” The presentation begins with an analogy related to body systems to convey the model’s concepts of interconnectedness of factors influencing health, the types of important questions addressed in this model and the pathways it suggests for intervention. The genesis of the model is discussed, and the topic of obesity is used to demonstrate the ideas embedded in the model and their application to public health practice. Downloadable slides and a transcript of the presentation are provided.