Social Determinants of Health

Health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We know that eating well, staying active, and refraining from smoking all influence our health. Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities: the resources and support available in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities; the quality of our schooling; the safety of our workplaces; the cleanliness of our water, food, and air; and the nature of our social interactions and relationships. The conditions in which we live explain in part why some Americans are healthier than others and why Americans  generally are not as healthy as they could be.¹

Understanding Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Conditions (e.g., social, economic, and physical) in these various environments and settings (e.g., school, church, workplace, and neighborhood) have been referred to as “place.” In addition to the more material attributes of “place,” the patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Resources that enhance quality of life can have a significant influence on population health outcomes. Examples of these resources include safe and affordable housing, access to education, public safety, availability of healthy foods, local emergency/health services, and environments free of life-threatening toxins.²

By working to establish policies that positively influence social and economic conditions and those that support changes in individual behavior, we can improve health for large numbers of people in ways that can be sustained over time. Improving the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play and the quality of our relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce.

For a more in depth understanding of the Social Determinants of Health click HERE to read an article from KFF: Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, “Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting Health and Health Equity.”

Topics in the article include:

• Key Findings:
  • Social determinants of health include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care. 
  • There are a growing number of initiatives to address social determinants of health within and outside of the health care system.
  • Many challenges remain to address social determinants of health, and new directions pursued by the Trump Administration could limit resources and initiatives focused on these efforts.

• Addressing social determinants of health is important for improving health and reducing health disparities.
• Initiatives to Address Social Determinants of Health
• Policies and practices in non-health sectors have impacts on health and health equity.
• “Health in All Policies” is an approach that incorporates health considerations into decision making across sectors and policy areas.
• Place-based initiatives focus on implementing cross-sector strategies to improve health in neighborhoods or communities with poor health outcomes.
• Addressing Social Determinants in the Health Care System
• Federal and State Initiatives
• Housing and Employment Supports

1. Social Determinants of Health. Available from: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
2. Beyond Health Care: The Role of Social Determinants in Promoting health and Health Equity. Published: May 10, 2018. Available from: KFF: Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, https://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/issue-brief/beyond-health-care-the-role-of-social-determinants-in-promoting-health-and-health-equity/