Social determinants of health
Social determinants of health, according to HealthyPeople.gov, are the conditions in the environments where people are bobirtrn, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.. Healthy People identifies five key determinant areas:
- Economic Stability
- Education Access and Quality
- Health Care Access and Quality
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Social and Community Context
Social determinant indicators include, for example:
- Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
- Racism, discrimination, and violence
- Education, job opportunities, and income
- Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
- Polluted air and water
- Language and literacy skills
Why it's important
Analysis of public health data by demographic characteristics is essential to the reduction and elimination of health disparities. The Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000 describes health disparities as differences in "the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival rates in the population as compared to the health status of the general population." The definition can be applied to any demographic group, not just racial/ethnic minorities. Analysis by demographic characteristics also shows at what age certain diseases and conditions typically appear.Health equity is the principle to pursue the highest possible standard of health for all while focusing on those with the greatest obstacles. Social determinants have a large impact on disparities and health equity. In order to improve health outcomes for those with disparities, social determinants often need to be targeted for intervention and prevention efforts. Analysis of what social determinants affect which populations in what areas helps inform programs where to focus efforts. County Health Rankings estimates that social, economic, and physical environment factors account for 50% of health factors.
Interventions with the largest impacts on health outcomes are population-based and focus on social determinants. CDC currently has an effort to target community approaches that focus on "social determinants of health" and "changing the context to make the healthy choice the easy choice." For information on the Health Impact in 5 Years project (HI-5) and the Health Impact Pyramid, visit https://www.cdc.gov/policy/hst/hi5/index.html.
What Is Known
Certain demographic and social determinant groups have consistently better outcomes than others on a variety of public health issues.How It's Tracked
Social determinant characteristics are tracked in most public health data sets including, but not limited to:- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Healthcare Discrimination
- Marriage and Divorce
- Physician Supply
- Refugee Arrivals
- Utah Health Improvement Index (HII)
- Utah Population Characteristics: Age Distribution of the Population
- Utah Population Characteristics: Education Level in the Population
- Utah Population Characteristics: Historical Population Estimates
- Utah Population Characteristics: Household Income
- Utah Population Characteristics: Household Structure
- Utah Population Characteristics: Per Capita Income
- Utah Population Characteristics: Poverty, All Persons
- Utah Population Characteristics: Poverty, Children Age 17 and Under
- Utah Population Characteristics: Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Population
Population Estimates
- Population Estimates by Race (race alone)
- Population Estimates by Race (race alone or in combination)
- Mortality - Crude Rates
- Mortality - Age-adjusted Rates
- Leading Causes of Death by Count
- Leading Cause of Death by Crude Rate
- Leading Cause of Death by Age-adjusted Rate
- Average Age at Time of Death
- Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL)
Social Determinants of Health - Adults
- Felt Socially Isolated - Crude Rates
- Felt Socially Isolated - Age-adjusted Rates
- Felt Stress within the Last 30 Days - Crude Rates
- Felt Stress within the Last 30 Days - Age-adjusted Rates
- Food Stamps (SNAP) during the Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Food Stamps (SNAP) during the Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
- Lack of Reliable Transportation during the Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Lack of Reliable Transportation during the Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
- Life Satisfaction - Crude Rates
- Life Satisfaction - Age-adjusted Rates
- Lost Employment or Had Hours Reduced in Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Lost Employment or Had Hours Reduced in Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
- Not Enough Food during the Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Not Enough Food during the Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
- Social and Emotional Support - Crude Rates
- Social and Emotional Support - Age-adjusted Rates
- Threatened to Shut off Services during the Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Threatened to Shut off Services during the Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
- Unable to Pay Mortgage, Rent, or Utility Bills during the Past 12 Months - Crude Rates
- Unable to Pay Mortgage, Rent, or Utility Bills during the Past 12 Months - Age-adjusted Rates
Social Determinants of Health - Adolescents
- Food Not Enough in Students' Home (YRBS)
- Bullied at School (PNA)
- Electronic Bullying (PNA)
- Felt Too Unsafe to go to School (YRBS)
- Unsafe at School (PNA)
- Social Isolation (PNA)
- Verbal or Emotional Dating Harm (YRBS)
- Family Meal (PNA)
- Race/ethnicity Stigma (YRBS)
- Sexual Orientation Stigma (YRBS)
- Close to Dad (PNA)
- Close to Mom (PNA)
- Like School (PNA)
- Like Neighborhood (PNA)
- Neighbors Notice (PNA)
- Neighbors Proud (PNA)
- Parent Help (PNA)
- Share With Dad (PNA)
- Share With Mom (PNA)
- Teachers Notice (PNA)
- Sleep 8 Hours (YRBS)
Social Measures
Economic Measures
- Median Income by Race
- Median Income by Ethnicity
- Median Income by Age Groups
- Percentage of People in Poverty (SAIPE 1-Year Estimates)
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Age
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Sex
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Race
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Ethnicity
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Educational Attainment
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Employment Status
- Percentage of People in Poverty by Work Experience