Social Determinants of Health
What are the social determinants of health?
Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, including factors like income, education, and access to healthcare.
What is the primary focus at the base of the Health Impact Pyramid?
Addressing socioeconomic factors like poverty and education.
What is a health disparity?
A difference in health outcomes that is closely linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantages.
True or false: Health equity means giving everyone the same resources, regardless of their individual needs.
False- This describes health equality. Health equity means providing resources and support based on individual or group needs to achieve fair health outcomes.
What is the focus and application of the Social-Ecological Model?
Focus: Multiple levels of influence on health—individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy.
Application: Emphasizes that health behaviors and outcomes are shaped by the interaction of personal and environmental factors.
How do social determinants affect health outcomes?
They influence health behaviors, environmental exposures, access to quality healthcare, and can lead to health disparities.
Which layer involves interventions like vaccinations?
Long-lasting protective interventions.
What is a common health disparity affecting minority communities in the U.S.?
Higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease compared to white communities.
Name one health behavior that influences health outcomes.
Smoking, poor eating habits/disordered eating, sedentary lifestyle/overexercising, drug use, neglecting or ignoring medical needs
The Healthy People 2030 Framework categorizes social determinants into which FIVE domains? What is the purpose of the framework?
Economic Stability
Education Access and Quality
Healthcare Access and Quality
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Social and Community Context
Purpose: Sets national objectives and strategies to improve population health and reduce disparities.
Name one modifiable and one non-modifiable determinant of health.
Modifiable: Diet; Non-modifiable: Age.
What increases as you move up the Health Impact Pyramid?
The amount of individual effort required.
How does income inequality impact health?
It leads to worse health outcomes as those in lower-income groups have less access to resources that promote health.
Which determinant includes factors like discrimination and access to education?
Social or societal characteristics.
What is the core idea behind Social Learning Theory? What are the 4 main concepts and what is their application?
Core Idea: People learn behaviors by observing others, modeling behaviors, and through reinforcement.
Key Concepts:
Observational learning
Self-efficacy
Outcome expectations
Reciprocal determinism (person ↔ behavior ↔ environment)
Application:
Health promotion campaigns often use role models or peer leaders.
Important for understanding the influence of social environments and media.
Boosting self-efficacy can help people navigate social and structural barriers.
What kind of communities face the worst health outcomes?
Low-income communities with limited access to healthcare, education, and healthy food options.
Give an example of an intervention that changes the context to make healthy choices easier.
Laws requiring seat belt use or smoking bans in public places.
True or False: Social factors are responsible for as many deaths as medical causes.
True.
What role do genes and biology play in health outcomes?
They determine factors like genetic makeup and biological predispositions.
What is the core idea and application behind the Theory of Planned Behavior?
Core Idea: Intention to perform a behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.
Application:
Links individual behavior to broader social expectations and norms.
Useful for understanding how societal pressures or lack of control (due to poverty or environment) affect health choices.
How do environmental factors contribute to poor health outcomes?
They include exposure to toxins, lack of safe spaces for physical activity, and pollution, which can worsen health conditions like asthma.
Why is changing socioeconomic factors considered the most impactful on the pyramid?
Because it addresses root causes and creates broad, lasting improvements in health.
What is one key factor contributing to health disparities among minority groups?
Limited access to healthcare/preventative care; access to healthy food options; Systemic Racism and Discrimination; Socioeconomic Status; Lack of Health Insurance; Language and Cultural Barriers; Geographic Location; Education and Health Literacy; Environmental Exposures; Employment and Working Conditions; Historical Mistrust of the Healthcare System
List the four main categories of determinants of health.
Genes and biology, health behaviors, medical care, and social/societal characteristics.
How does the Theory of Planned Behavior support the Healthy People 2030 Framework?
TPB explains behavior through:
Attitudes – beliefs about the outcomes of a behavior
Subjective norms – perceived social pressure or support
Perceived behavioral control – belief in one’s ability to perform the behavior
Healthy People 2030 applies TPB by:
Promoting health education to shape positive attitudes toward healthy behaviors
Encouraging community and cultural change to support healthy social norms
Addressing barriers to access (e.g., healthcare, housing, food) to improve perceived control
Shared focus: Both TPB and Healthy People 2030 recognize that lasting behavior change requires:
Personal motivation
Supportive environments
Equitable access to resources