Social Determinants of Health refer to the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and they significantly affect health, well-being, and quality of life. Understanding and addressing SDOH are essential for improving health equity and reducing disparities.
Key Categories of Social Determinants of Health:
- Economic Stability
- Employment status and income level
- Financial security and poverty
- Food security
- Housing affordability and stability
- Education Access and Quality
- Early childhood education and development
- High school graduation rates
- Enrollment in higher education
- Literacy and language skills
- Healthcare Access and Quality
- Availability of health insurance
- Access to primary care providers
- Quality of healthcare services
- Health literacy
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Housing quality and neighborhood safety
- Access to transportation
- Availability of healthy foods
- Environmental conditions (e.g., air and water quality)
- Social and Community Context
- Social cohesion and support systems
- Experiences of discrimination or racism
- Civic participation
- Exposure to crime and violence
Importance of Addressing SDOH:
- Health Outcomes: Social Determinants of Health can significantly influence chronic diseases, mental health, and life expectancy.
- Health Equity: Addressing disparities in SDOH helps reduce inequities among different populations.
- Cost Savings: Addressing SDOH can decrease healthcare costs by reducing preventable illnesses and hospitalizations.
Strategies to Address SDOH:
- Policy Interventions: Implementing policies that promote economic stability, affordable housing, and access to quality education.
- Community Programs: Developing local initiatives to enhance food security, neighborhood safety, and healthcare access.
- Collaborations: Partnering across sectors like healthcare, education, housing, and transportation to create holistic solutions.
- Data and Research: Using data to identify disparities and measure the impact of interventions. ATP