Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) 

What are health inequities?
Health inequities are differences in health among groups of people. These differences are:

•	Avoidable
•	Unfair
•	Unjust

Health inequities arise from differences within and among societies, including unequal distribution of:

•	Power
•	Income
•	Goods
•	Services

What are Social Determinants of Health? 

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work, and age. These life circumstances impact health. 

The term ‘social determinants of health’ grew from research designed to identify factors that cause members of varying socio-economic groups to experience a wide range of health and health outcomes. The scientific evidence shows that wellness depends more on social determinants than just the health choices people make. 

How do SDOH impact health?
Social determinants of health include: income, education, socioeconomic position, gender and gender identity, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, environment, discrimination, access to services and ability to participate in society. 

Social and economic conditions impact people and the effects determine the risk of illness. These inequities also affect actions taken to prevent and treat illnesses. 

What is the role of policy in SDOH?   

What is health equity?
It is equal opportunity for all social groups to be as healthy as possible.

What does health equity look like?
No obstacles or barriers to optimal health for groups that have historically faced obstacles. 

Every aspect of government and economy has the potential to affect health and health equity – finance, education, housing, employment, transportation and health are a few examples. While health may not be the focus of policies in these sectors, there are important implications for health and health equity. Government organizations must promote policies that complement rather than contradict each other in relation to health equity.  

Who benefits when life circumstances are improved? 

Everyone benefits from equity in health. Those who are already healthy benefit along with those most impacted by equitable policies and practices. Healthier people need less medical care and decrease the strain on the overburdened healthcare system. Healthier people experience less stress, are more productive and are better able to contribute to society as a whole.  

In turn all people experience improved quality of life. 

Contact Phone:770.458.7400			Fax: 770.458.7401 	E-mail: gbrandt@chronicdisease.org