What Are Social Determinants of Health?

When we think about being healthy, we often think about our bodies, like making sure we don’t get sick or going to the doctor. But did you know that our health is also affected by things in our daily lives, like where we live, if we have enough food, or if we feel safe? These are called *Social Determinants of Health*, and they can have a big effect on how healthy we are.

In this post, we'll talk about what these “social determinants” are, how they affect your health, and how you can talk to your doctor or nurse about these problems so they can help you find resources to make things a little easier.

What Are Social Determinants of Health?

Social determinants of health, or SDOH, are things in our lives that aren’t directly related to our bodies but still affect our health. They include:

1. **Money and Jobs**: If a family has a low income or if someone doesn’t have a job, it can be hard to afford things like healthy food, medicines, and trips to the doctor.

2. **Home and Neighborhood**: This includes things like housing (where you live) and the safety of your neighborhood. If a neighborhood doesn’t feel safe or clean, or if there isn’t reliable transportation, it can make it harder to stay healthy or go to the doctor.

3. **Education**: If someone hasn’t had access to much education, it might be harder to understand health information or find ways to stay healthy.

4. **Social Connections**: This means the people around you, like friends, family, and neighbors. If someone doesn’t have much support or if they face discrimination, they may feel more stressed or even sad.

5. **Access to Healthcare**: This means being able to see a doctor, get medicines, and find hospitals or clinics close by. If someone doesn’t have easy access to these things, they may struggle to stay healthy.

How Do Social Determinants Affect Your Health?

Social determinants of health can create *health disparities*, which are differences in health outcomes among different groups of people. Here are some examples:

 Low Income: If a family doesn’t have enough money, they might skip doctor’s visits or can’t buy medicines they need. This can lead to health problems getting worse over time.

• Housing Problems: If someone doesn’t have a stable place to live, they might feel stressed and have trouble keeping up with their health.
• Food Insecurity: Not having enough healthy food can lead to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

 When we’re dealing with things like housing problems, money worries, or lack of food, it can be hard to focus on staying healthy because the focus is on just surviving the day.

 How to Talk to Your Provider About These Problems

Your provider wants to help you with your overall health, which includes understanding the challenges you face outside of their office. Here are some tips for talking to them about these things:

1. Think About What You Need Help With: Try to be clear about what problems you’re facing. Is it hard to afford food? Are you worried about paying for medicine? Making a list can help you share these things with your provider.
2. Be Honest It’s okay to tell your provider what’s really going on. They aren’t there to judge you but to help you.
3. Ask for Resources: Many clinics and hospitals have social workers or patient advocates who can help you find local resources. Some places offer things like food assistance, transportation help, and other services.
4. Talk About How You’re Feeling: If these problems are making you feel stressed, anxious, or sad, let your doctor or nurse know. They may be able to connect you with mental health resources too.
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Resources That Can Help

If you’re dealing with challenges related to social determinants, there are programs and places that might be able to help:

1. Community Health Centers: These clinics often provide medical care at a lower cost or with a sliding fee scale.
2. Food Banks and Pantries: Local organizations can help provide food if you’re struggling with food costs.
3. Housing Assistance: Many states have programs to help people who are experiencing housing issues.
4. Social Services: Your healthcare provider may refer you to people who specialize in helping you find local resources, such as financial counseling or job support.

Remember

Social determinants of health can make a big difference in how healthy we feel. But if you talk to your provider about the problems you’re facing, they can help you find support and resources. You don’t have to go through it alone—there are people and programs that want to help you succeed, not just in your health but in your life.

 Beginning in 2025, our clinicians will start asking about topics like your mental health and social factors that might impact your health during follow-up visits. This information will help us better understand any gaps in resources within our community and identify ways to improve support. Your comfort is our priority, so please know that it’s completely okay if you choose not to answer these questions. We want our clinic to be a safe, open place where you feel comfortable sharing and receiving care. Our goal is to keep providing you with the best possible support and healthcare.