Addressing Social Determinants of
Health and Development
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What are social determinants of
community health and development?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Social determinants of community
health and development issues are
the social factors that determine and
influence the issues.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
The three overarching factors are:
• Economic inequality
• Social connectedness
• Sense of efficacy
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
The ways they most often play out are
in:
• Differences in exposure.
• Differences in vulnerability.
• Differences in consequences for different
populations.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
More specific social determinants can
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Racial and ethnic bias.
Cultural differences.
Media influences.
Politics.
Living conditions.
Geography.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Why address social determinants of
community health and development?
• If you want to solve or prevent a problem for the long term, you have to
deal with its root causes.
• If you address the root causes, you’re more likely to successfully address
the issue for the short term as well.
• The social factors involved may have more resonance for those affected
than the issue itself.
• It may be easier to approach an issue through its underlying social
factors than to deal with it directly.
• Addressing the social determinants of community issues is crucial to
understanding them fully, so that your strategy and tactics for dealing
with them correspond to reality.
• Addressing social determinants presents a tremendous opportunity for
learning and community leadership development.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Who should address social determinants
of community health and development?
• Those affected by the issues (the targets of change).
• Those who can have an effect on the issues (the agents of
change).
• Staff members from organizations that work directly with
the target population and/or the issue.
• Respected community leaders and citizens.
• Those who will be asked to change, sacrifice, or take action
in order to address the issue.
• Anyone else who has a stake in the issue.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
When should you address social
determinants of community health and
development?
• When it’s clear that simply focusing on the issue
isn’t enough.
• When you’re advocating for changes in laws,
policies, or funding.
• When you’re seeking fundamental change.
• When you’re seeking a long-term solution to a
long-term problem.
• When your focus is on community wellness and
prevention.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you identify social
determinants of community health
and development?
•
•
•
•
You assess the community
You ask people who know.
You apply critical thinking principles to the issue.
You ask the right questions.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How do you address social
determinants of health and community
development?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
You work to address larger social factors
through environmental and policy
conditions, including:
• Knowledge and skills.
• Support within and between groups.
• Modification of access to, barriers to, and
opportunities for resources and services.
• Consequences of actions.
• Exposure to or protection from hazards.
• Policy change.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
You’re guided by basic principles:
• People most affected should choose the issues and
plan strategies for the work.
• True change in social determinants demands
comprehensive interventions that address multiple
and interrelated factors at multiple levels.
• Collaborative efforts should aim at bringing about
change in multiple sectors and systems.
• Support organizations should build capacity in the
community to control its own fate.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
You’re guided by basic principles:
• Health and development efforts should involve
collaborative partners as catalysts for change.
• Strategies should be self-sufficient and sustainable
over the long term.
• Efforts should be aimed at goals that can be
accomplished by the people in question with the
resources at hand.
• Successes should be consolidated and maintained,
so that new and greater challenges can be taken on.
• Efforts should continue indefinitely.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas