Social Determinants of Health

What are social determinants of health?

They are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes and risks. Social Determinants of Health have a massive impact on people's health, well-being, and quality of life.

They are grouped into 5 domains: 

• Education Access & Quality
• Economic Stability
• Social & Community context
• Neighborhood & Built Environment
• Health Care Access & Quality

Examples include: 

• 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

How do social determinants of health affect us?

They contribute to health disparities and inequities. For example, people who don't have access to a grocery store with healthy foods are less likely to have good nutrition, which in turn raises their risk of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity and also lowers their life expectancy. 

Click here to learn more about the Social Determinants of Health on the Healthy People 2030 site.