Child poverty. A state in which children lack the material resources needed to develop and thrive, enjoy their rights, achieve their full potential and participate as full and equal members of society. Child poverty is usually measured as the proportion of children living in households below a certain threshold income level. This threshold can be defined in absolute terms (e.g. the World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than US$ 1.90 per day) or in relative terms (e.g. households living on less than 60% of the median income for the country as whole).

Decent work. Work that is productive and delivers a fair income, a secure job, good working conditions and social protection for families; better prospects for personal development and social integration; freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives; and equality of opportunity and treatment for all.

Health equity/inequity. The distribution of health between socioeconomic groups and across the social gradient can be fair (equity) or unfair with systematically produced differences (inequity),

Human capital. The collective skills, knowledge and other intangible assets of individuals that can be used to create economic value for individuals, their employers or their community.

Multisectoral action. Coordinated actions across government sectors/ministries to achieve a common outcome, including joint working and policy action across sectors to achieve better health outcomes for more socioeconomically deprived citizens, usually through multiple, interacting policies and health in all policy approaches.

Policy options. Actions that can be taken by governments and other agencies that directly influence rights and regulations, the allocation of resources and/or the provision, coverage and quality of services.

Public health. The health of a population or subpopulation in general (e.g. women in Belarus) and also the science and art of promoting health, preventing disease and prolonging life through the organized efforts of society.

Resilience. The individual and collective ability to positively adapt and respond to challenging circumstances, crises or stress. The ability to withstand, cope with or recover from the effects of such circumstances.

Social cash transfers. Predictable direct transfers of money to individuals or households to ensure their basic income security and relieve them of the financial burden of several risks and needs, including those related to disability, sickness/health care, old age, bereavement, caring responsibilities, unemployment and housing.

Social determinants of health. The social, economic and environmental conditions in which people are born, grow up, live and work that impact health and well-being across the life-course. These are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at international, national and subnational levels and determine health outcomes, including health inequities between different groups and across the social gradient.

Social gradient in health. The progressive improvement in health outcomes as the socioeconomic status or class position is raised, when comparing members of a society. It can also be represented as demonstrable progressive worsening of health outcomes in groups of progressively lower social status, income, social class, occupation or education.

Social protection. Transfers to households, either in cash or in kind, intended to ensure basic income security and provide relief from the financial burden of several risks and needs, including disability, sickness/health care, old age, bereavement, caring responsibilities, unemployment and housing.

Social return on investment. An analytical assessment of investment for health and well-being that aims not only to capture the financial aspect (i.e. monetary or monetarized economic and socioeconomic benefits) but also the social aspects, such as empowerment, social cohesion and political participation, which have costs for society and individuals. For example an investment of $1 in early childhood interventions gives a return on investment of $1.3 to $16.8 in terms of reduction in expenditure in later life on social problems (e.g. crime, mental ill health, family breakdown, drug abuse and obesity).

Sustainable development. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.