Examining the Social Determinants of Health: Measures, Evidence, and Policy Solutions

Despite significant investments to improve access to high-quality health care, health inequities in the United States persist by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, as well as by economic and community level factors such as geographic location, poverty status, and employment. While opportunities to advance health equity through clinical care continue to be important, addressing the ways in which SDOH increase or decrease the risk of poor health outcomes is critical to improving the nation’s health and wellbeing. Examining the root causes of SDOH is also critical for developing measures, evaluating data sources, assessing evidence and for formulating policy responses. This briefing will: 1) Define and evaluate the differences between SDOH, social drivers of health, social needs, and social risk factors; 2) Assess the past and current SDOH policy landscape including metrics development and data source evaluation; 3) Discuss health care payor, provider, and community-based efforts; and 4) Outline potential policy solutions at the federal, state, and local levels.