Contents
Introduction
Health is more than just the absence of disease. It is shaped by a complex web of factors that go beyond biology and medical care. These factors, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), play a critical role in determining how long and how well people live. Understanding and addressing them is essential for creating healthier individuals and communities.
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
The social determinants of health are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These include the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, as well as the wider set of forces and systems shaping daily life. These forces include economic policies, social norms, political systems, and more.
Key Domains of Social Determinants:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social determinants typically fall into five key areas:
Economic Stability
Income and employment
Food security
Housing stability
Poverty
Education Access and Quality
Early childhood education
High school graduation
Language and literacy
Access to higher education
Health Care Access and Quality
Access to health services
Health insurance coverage
Health literacy
Cultural competence of providers
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Quality of housing
Access to transportation
Safety and crime
Environmental conditions
Social and Community Context
Social integration
Support systems
Community engagement
Experiences of discrimination and racism
Why Do Social Determinants Matter?
Social determinants explain why some individuals and populations experience better health outcomes than others. For example:
People with stable jobs and housing are more likely to access healthcare and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Those living in poverty or unsafe neighborhoods may face chronic stress, limited food access, and environmental hazards.
Educational attainment is closely linked to health literacy, which influences everything from nutrition choices to managing chronic conditions.
In fact, research shows that up to 80% of health outcomes are determined by social, economic, and environmental factors — not by clinical care alone.
Impact of Inequality
The effects of SDOH are not felt equally. Marginalized communities often face systemic barriers that negatively impact their health. These disparities are especially visible in racial and ethnic minorities, low-income families, and rural populations.
For example:
Black and Hispanic communities in the U.S. are more likely to live in areas with limited access to quality healthcare and fresh food.
Indigenous populations may face poor housing conditions and lack of clean water.
Low-income children often attend under-resourced schools, affecting their long-term health and economic opportunities.
Strategies to Address SDOH
Solving these issues requires multi-sector collaboration — involving healthcare providers, educators, urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders. Some strategies include:
Expanding access to affordable housing
Improving education systems and school funding
Creating safer and cleaner neighborhoods
Increasing access to healthy food and public transportation
Providing culturally competent healthcare
Health systems are also beginning to screen patients for social needs (like housing or food insecurity) and connect them to appropriate services — a practice known as “social prescribing”.
Conclusion
Social determinants of health are the foundation upon which well-being is built. While access to healthcare is important, it is not enough on its own. To create truly healthy societies, we must look upstream — at the social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape lives. By addressing these root causes, we can move toward a future where health equity is not just a goal, but a reality.