The Social Determinants of Health Research Center at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences was established with the aim of conducting applied research focused on identifying and intervening in the social determinants of health within the geographical area covered by the university, as well as expanding scientific collaboration with national and international research institutions. The proposal for establishing this center was initiated by faculty members of the Department of Public Health at the School of Health and was approved during the 216th session of the Council for the Expansion of Medical Universities of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education on June 12, 2012. The center’s scientific activities commenced at that time, and subsequently, final approval for its establishment was granted during the 277th session of the same council on May 10, 2020.

As one of the pioneering centers in the country in the field of social determinants of health, the center strives to facilitate evidence-informed policymaking aimed at improving equity and public health. Its primary mission is to conduct scientific investigations and propose intervention strategies addressing social determinants of health, with the goal of reducing health inequalities and strengthening the components of social justice.

By leveraging the expertise of distinguished faculty members and researchers, the center pursues fundamental, developmental, and applied research aligned with addressing health challenges at both provincial and national levels. Key areas of research include social pathologies, high-risk behaviors, addiction, suicide, resilience, social satisfaction, and quality of life. Among its notable achievements are contributions to the development of the Comprehensive Health Plan of Khuzestan Province, active participation in the Provincial Health and Food Security Working Group, implementation of research projects related to the COVID-19 crisis, and membership in the World Asthma Network since 2015, owing to the region’s unique air pollution conditions.

The center’s core values are grounded in respect for human dignity, adherence to research ethics, meritocracy, professional integrity, teamwork, and social accountability. A strong commitment to equal opportunities and social justice among its members has fostered a dynamic and scholarly environment conducive to achieving its research mission.

In pursuit of its foundational values, the center’s strategic objectives focus on both the quantitative and qualitative development of research, attaining scientific leadership in applied research, enhancing responsiveness to community health needs, and expanding effective collaboration with other research institutions and related sectors. Additional strategic priorities include strengthening human resource capacity, promoting national and international scientific collaborations, conducting joint research projects, empowering researchers and faculty members, fostering interdisciplinary research through scientific networking, prioritizing provincial research needs, and enhancing research infrastructure to support international activities.

Achieving these objectives will reinforce the center’s role as a scientific and technological authority in the field of social determinants of health in the southwest of the country and facilitate addressing both social and scientific challenges in the health sector. Accordingly, the Social Determinants of Health Research Center at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, guided by principles of equity, ethics, and scientific evidence, endeavors to make a meaningful contribution to improving public health in the southwest region of Iran and advancing the national health system.