"Understanding the Social Determinants of Health: Why They Matter"

What are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)?

• non-medical factors that significantly influence health outcomes

• Include where the person was born, grew up, lives, works, etc.

• Examples

  • Economic stability

  • Education access

  • Healthcare access

Impact on Health Equity

• Health equity

  • “State in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health” (https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health)

• SDOHs contribute to unequal opportunities to resources

  • Based on:

    • Nutrition quality of foods

    • Healthcare services

    • Housing situations, hygiene

Possible efforts to reduce SDOH

• Enhancing healthcare access

  • Chronic Care Management (CCM)

    • Healthcare service that provides ongoing support and care for individuals with chronic conditions

    • Helps reduce the gap between people with special medical conditions

• Promoting education/economic opportunities

  • Access to education & employment opportunities can improve individual & general economic situation

https://www.chartspan.com/blog/social-determinants/ https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1