What are social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health refer to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These determinants encompass a broad range of non-medical factors that influence health outcomes and are crucial for understanding public health issues. They include elements such as socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support systems.

These conditions can significantly impact an individual's health and well-being, shaping their access to healthcare resources, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. For instance, a person living in a community with high levels of poverty may experience obstacles in accessing nutritious food, quality healthcare, and safe recreational spaces, which in turn can lead to poorer health outcomes.

In contrast, biological factors, healthcare policies, and individual economic status are related concepts but do not encapsulate the broader societal influences that social determinants represent. While these aspects are important in the overall health discourse, they do not fully embody the wide-ranging factors that define social determinants of health.