Social Determinants of Health

The social determinants of health (SDOH) are factors that impact a person’s health such as where they live or work, their access to affordable and healthy food, safe housing and quality employment, and educational opportunities. Over a lifetime, these social conditions can support healthy living, but, if these conditions are absent or poor, the result can be chronic disease and ill health.  

The SDOH are a major factor in differences in life expectancy between people of different races and ethnicity and between residents of separate parts of a city or state. When older adults experience challenges related to SDOH they are at risk for experiencing adverse health outcomes and higher rates of mortality.