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Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San AntonioJoe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio

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Social Determinants of Health Training

Medical student consulting physician

The social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.

The SDH have an important influence on health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. In countries at all levels of income, health and illness follow a social gradient: the lower the socioeconomic position, the worse the health.

The following list provides examples of the social determinants of health, which can influence health equity in positive and negative ways:

  • Income and social protection
  • Education
  • Unemployment and job insecurity
  • Working life conditions
  • Food insecurity
  • Housing, basic amenities and the environment
  • Early childhood development
  • Social inclusion and non-discrimination
  • Structural conflict
  • Access to affordable health services of decent quality.

Research shows that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. For example, numerous studies suggest that SDH account for between 30-55% of health outcomes. In addition, estimates show that the contribution of sectors outside health to population health outcomes exceeds the contribution from the health sector.

"Providing optimal care to the patients of our community requires identifying and addressing the social determinants of health that impact them daily ."

– Jessian L. Muñoz, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.

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Videos

  • 80 Percent of Health Happens Outside of Healthcare (Video)
  • We Want to Keep That Care Alive Within Them (Video)
  • You Now Have a Key Part in Patient's Care (Video)
  • What They Have in Their Hearts is What Matters (Video)

 

 

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UT Health San Antonio

Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

7703 Floyd Curl Drive

San Antonio, TX 78229

210-567-4420

 

 

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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, also called UT Health San Antonio, is a leading academic health center with a mission to make lives better through excellence in advanced academics, life-saving research and comprehensive clinical care including health, dental and cancer services.

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