Social Determinants of Health

Health starts in our homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. We know that taking care of ourselves by eating well and staying active, not smoking, getting the recommended immunizations and screening tests, and seeing a doctor when we are sick all influence our health. Our health is also determined in part by access to social and economic opportunities; the resources and supports 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.1 Babies born just a few miles apart can have dramatic differences in life expectancy. Some will die 20 years earlier than others who live just a short distance away because of differences in social determinants of health, such as education, income, race, ethnicity, and where they live. To improve health, we need to improve people’s opportunities to make healthy choices—in the places where they live, learn, work, and play.

1 Healthy People 2020. Social Determinants of Health. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health

2 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. City Maps. http://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2015/09/city-maps.html

 Social Determinants of Health Resources

Patient-Centered Health Advisory Council Issue Briefs

• Social Determinants of Health Issue Brief 1- August 2011
• Social Determinants of Health Issue Brief 2- January 2017

Definitions/Overview

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Healthy People 2020

Impacting the Status Quo

• The American Health Care Paradox- What Do We (Really) Know About Intervening on the Social Determinants of Health? 
• Lauren A. TaylorLeveraging the Social Determinants of Health: What Works? Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation  

Articles/Resources

• A New Way to Talk About Social Determinants of Health- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• 10 Demographic Trends That are Shaping the U.S. and the World- Pew Research Center
• The Case For More Active Policy Attention To Health Promotion- Health Affairs
• Why Health, Poverty, and Community Development Are Inseparable- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Social Determinants of Health- The Solid Facts 2nd Edition- Edited by Richard Wilkinson and Michael Marmot