What are the social determinants of health? ​

According to Healthy People 2020, the social determinants of health “are the conditions in the social, physical, and economic environment in which people are born, live, work, and age. They consist of policies, programs, and institutions, and other aspects of the social structure (including the government and private sectors), as well as community factors.” 


Learn more about Healthy People 2020 and the social determinants of health

The social determinants of health influence access to and effectiveness of health and mental health care.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation

What are the impacts? ​

Poor health outcomes are often made worse by the interaction between individuals and their social and physical environments. For example, lack of access to fresh food can result in people eating high sodium canned foods that worsen hypertension. People living where there are high concentrations of air pollution or unsafe drinking water are more likely to develop asthma or neurocognitive conditions. Those who lack access to affordable transportation cannot regularly visit their doctors to manage their health or mental health conditions.   
Learn how the social determinants of health impact population wellness

Access a summary of studies and data tools to assess the impacts of the social determinants of health  

Watch a webinar explaining the impacts of the social determinants of health, as well as low-cost ways that communities can address them

What works? ​

As health systems transition toward value-based care, provider organizations are re-evaluating how the social determinants of health are influencing their patients’ health and quality of life. Systems also are considering effective and efficient organizational strategies.  

Read results from a series of studies showing that addressing the social determinants of health improved patient wellness over ten-year period 

Learn how states are pursuing cross-sector actions to improve population health beyond the health sector

Explore how hospital systems are addressing social determinants through community cooperation and partnerships

See how peer patient navigators are tackling the social determinants of health

Find out how one university hospital system is improving patient health by providing them with stable housing and access to supportive case management

Explore the role of Medicaid managed care in addressing the social determinants 

Learn how ride-share services are addressing one of the most crucial social determinants – access to transportation

Using data and IT to manage the social determinants of health

Learn how 4 health systems are using information technology to better manage the social determinants of health in their patient populations

Explore challenges to integrating data on the social determinants into patient electronic health records, and how several systems are innovating to resolve these complex issues

Learn more about the developing science of predictive modeling of the social determinants of health

Access a study that successfully used predictive modeling to address the social determinants of health

Learn how one system is leveraging geospatial data to better address the health needs that are driven by community, social, and economic factors

Use this financial tool to calculate the return on investment (ROI) from integrating social services with medical care. The calculator will help you to compare how financial returns and risks can be divided between cross-sectional partners (social service and medical), under a variety of payment arrangements and levels.  
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