Understanding the 12 Social Determinants of Health: Why Are They Important?
Social determinants of health (SDOH) refer to the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age. They are responsible for shaping a person’s health status and well-being, much more than medical care does. The 12 social determinants are crucial for ensuring healthy communities and population. They are:
Income & Social Status
People’s income and social status determine their overall quality of life and economic ability, which affects their health in many ways. Low-income individuals often struggle to access healthy food, housing, education, and healthcare, and this puts them at higher risk of developing chronic health conditions.
Education
Education is a critical factor in determining an individual’s well-being. Higher levels of education are positively associated with better health outcomes and a reduced risk of chronic conditions. Education also improves one’s income prospects, thereby increasing resource availability.
Employment & Working Conditions
Working conditions such as job stress, long working hours, and lack of job security pose a risk to employees’ health. Poor working conditions can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other chronic health conditions.
Food Security
Food security and access are major determinants of health. Food insecurity leads to malnutrition and undernourishment, which can lead to a host of chronic health complications.
Housing & Homelessness
Housing plays a crucial role in determining one’s health and quality of life. People who lack stable housing or who are homeless face a lot of chronic health problems such as malnutrition, respiratory infections, and mental illness.
Social Support Networks
Having the support of social networks is essential in promoting good physical and mental health outcomes. The lack of social support can lead to isolation, social exclusion, and increased risk of developing various chronic health conditions.
Physical Environment
A clean and safe physical environment is crucial for promoting good health. This can include factors like air quality, water quality, availability of green spaces, and access to safe roads.
Personal Health Practices & Coping Skills
Personal health practices and coping skills are crucial in determining one’s overall health status. Healthy lifestyle choices need to be cultivated in order to maintain good health, including eating healthy, exercising regularly, sleep hygiene, and avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking.
Healthy Child Development
Childhood experiences have a huge impact on adult health outcomes. Ensuring healthy child development by providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment is crucial for reducing chronic health conditions in adulthood.
Gender
Gender has a significant effect on health outcomes. Women may require different health care services due to their biological and social differences. Gender-based violence and discrimination also have a negative impact on the health of women and minority communities.
Culture
Cultural practices, norms, and beliefs often shape one’s behavior and lifestyle choices, affecting overall health outcomes. A culturally sensitive approach to health care is, therefore, essential for ensuring equitable access to healthcare and reducing health disparities.
Health Services
Health services are essential to individual and population health. Access to quality health care is crucial in preventing and managing chronic health conditions and promoting overall well-being.
In conclusion, understanding the 12 social determinants of health is important to enable us to work towards creating a healthy and equitable society. By addressing these determinants, we can promote good health and well-being and reduce the burden of chronic health conditions in our communities.
