Social determinants of health (SDH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and all the factors that influence a person’s health status. These factors include social, economic, and environmental conditions that can impact a person’s access to healthcare, education, employment, and housing. SDH can also influence a person’s behaviors, such as diet, exercise, and smoking.
There are ten categories of SDH:
- Economic stability
- Education
- Food security
- Housing
- Neighborhood and community conditions
- Social support
- Access to healthcare
- Quality of healthcare
- Criminal justice involvement
- Social and civic engagement
SDH can have a significant impact on a person’s health. For example, people who live in poverty are more likely to experience chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. They are also more likely to die prematurely. People who lack access to healthy food are more likely to be overweight or obese and to experience malnutrition. People who live in unsafe neighborhoods are more likely to experience violence and injury. And people who lack social support are more likely to experience mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.
Addressing SDH is essential to improving health equity and reducing health disparities. There are a number of things that can be done to address SDH, including:
- Implementing policies that promote economic security, such as raising the minimum wage and expanding access to affordable housing.
- Investing in education and job training.
- Expanding access to healthy food and improving nutrition education.
- Creating safe and affordable housing options.
- Investing in community development and crime prevention programs.
- Expanding access to healthcare and improving the quality of care.
- Reducing mass incarceration and addressing the social determinants of crime.
- Promoting social and civic engagement.
By addressing SDH, we can create a healthier and more equitable society for all.
