What are Social Determinants of Health?
- Rachel
- May 11, 2023
- 2 min read
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) is a foundational piece for us to understand Health Equity. Many of you already know about SDOH, to some SDOH maybe new. I was introduced to SDOH in 2016 while pursing a Master of Public Health program at Wright State University. Your work will likely change after knowing what SDOH are and how they affect our daily lives, just as mine has.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) definition for Social Determinants of Health. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are those non-medical factors that influence our health. SDOH are "the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age".
Non-Medical factors are the things in and around our lives that we deal with daily. The Department of Health and Human Services have categorized those non-medical factors into 5 main groups:
1) Economic Stability: Do we have enough money to purchase healthy food?
People who do not have enough money to purchase healthy foods (Food Insecurity) are more likely to have poor nutrition, which increases our risk for chronic illnesses.
2) Education: Did we have an opportunity to complete the highest level education possible?
Those who were unable to obtain their highest level of education possible maybe limited by job opportunities that are available to them. Education affects literacy abilities.
3) Access to Quality Health Care: Are we able to afford health insurance? Are we able to afford high quality healthcare services that we require?
Many are unable to afford healthcare services for preventive care and/or the required service for medical conditions.
4) Neighborhoods: Are our neighborhoods safe to walk? Do we have parks and green spaces that's accessible?
Some people live in neighborhoods that have parks and playgrounds that are safe to walk about, though some live in neighborhoods with high rates of violence, polluted air or water.
5) Social and Community: Do we have family, friends, neighbors that we are connected to or are we facing loneliness? How is our well-being?
Many people live alone and may not have support from family, friends, neighbors in the community. In May 2023, the Surgeon General, Dr Vivek H. Murthy issued a public statement that we are in an epidemic of loneliness and isolation. We need to prioritize and help those around us to build more connected lives around us and in society.
Who is affected by SDOH?
SDOH affect all of our lives. SDOH can have a positive and negative effect on our lives.
When we have enough resources to obtain high quality affordable healthcare, we are more likely to obtain preventive care services such as cancer screening or pay for the necessary medical supplies to help us stay healthier.
Conversely, if we live in unsafe neighborhoods or neighborhoods with less green spaces, we are less likely to take walks or exercise amongst friends and community members. Instead we maybe faced with violence and social isolation.
Discussions on SDOH is broad. We'll discuss more on SDOH later as well as how Health Equity is different from Health Equality.
References:
1) Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [May 2023], from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
2) Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
