A Beginner’s Guide to the Social Determinants of Health
Have you noticed how often the phrase “public health” or "social determinants of health" pops up these days? I’ve been seeing it everywhere—grant applications, news stories, and healthcare discussions. And let’s be real, every time you turn on the news, it feels like there’s another story about how broken the U.S. healthcare system is, or how patients barely get five minutes with their doctor.
For those of us working in healthcare, these issues aren’t exactly new. We’ve been grappling with these frustrations for years. But lately, the spotlight on these problems seems brighter than ever.
That’s where the Social Determinants of Health (SDH) come in!
This concept gives us a framework—a way to explain and study the everyday challenges we see in healthcare and the illnesses that stem from them. It’s like putting a name to something we’ve been feeling all along.
This guide will break it all down for you: what SDH are, why they matter, and how they show up in everyday life. Don’t worry—no jargon, just simple, real-talk explanations.
What are the Social Determinants of Health?
Let’s start with the basics: social determinants of health are all the things outside of medical care that affect your health. Where you live, the money you make, your job, your education—these all play a huge role in how healthy you are.
Here’s how the World Health Organization defines it:
"The social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life."
In short, SDH explain how factors outside of a doctor’s office—like income, education, or neighborhood safety—affect health. Research shows SDH account for 30-55% of health outcomes. That’s a significant impact!
The Five Big Buckets
In 2020, the U.S. government released Healthy People 2030, a plan to improve public health. (To learn more about Healthy People 2030 check out my other post The Beginner’s Guide to Public Health.)
Healthy People 2030 categorized the SDH into five key areas. Here’s the scoop on each:
Economic Stability
Your income level directly affects your ability to afford basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare.
About 1 in 10 Americans live in poverty, struggling to afford food, housing, and healthcare.
Living in poverty means a higher risk of chronic diseases, mental health struggles, and even shorter life spans.
Education Access and Quality
Higher levels of education often lead to better health outcomes.
People with less education tend to have worse health outcomes (think asthma, diabetes, and heart disease).
Education gives you the tools to make smarter health choices. Knowledge is power, folks!
Health Care Access and Quality
Access to healthcare plays a critical role in preventing and treating illnesses.
Even after big wins like the Affordable Care Act, 1 in 10 Americans still don’t have health insurance.
No insurance? That means you’re less likely to see a doctor or afford the meds you need.
Neighborhood and Built Enviornment
The physical environment where you live affects your health.
Unsafe neighborhoods? Not great for jogging or walking the dog, and stress levels skyrocket.
Living near parks and green spaces? Studies show it can literally add 2.5 years to your life!
Social and Community Context
Relationships and community engagement promote mental and physical health.
Being involved in your community or having strong relationships makes you healthier, both physically and mentally.
Feeling lonely? It can actually lead to worse health outcomes. So join that book club or volunteer group—you’ll feel better for it!
Why This Stuff Matters
Every aspect of life, from the air we breathe to the relationships we nurture, impacts our health. Addressing SDH means giving everyone a fair shot at health, no matter where they start in life.
Research in these fields is imperative. following this guide, you’ve taken the first step in understanding the broader forces that shape health. The more we know, the better we can advocate for healthier, more equitable communities.
What’s Next
Now that you know the basics, take a look at your own life and community. What SDH do you see at play? Are there ways you can help improve access to education, healthcare, or safe spaces in your neighborhood? Check out the links below to read more!
