Social determinants of health are the nonclinical factors that affect health outcomes. They include systemic racism, along with the broad categories of social and community context, education, neighborhood and environment, health care, and economic stability. The Center for American Progress’ work prioritizes social and economic policies that are critical across the social determinants of health to achieve health equity. The following publications aim to reduce health disparities and inequities and improve the nation’s health by addressing social determinants of health.
A Strong Start in Life: How Public Health Policies Affect the Well-Being of Pregnancies and Families
Understanding how the key social determinants of health—including housing, employment, and education—affect perinatal health is critical to ensuring that federal policies support healthy babies and families.
Fact Sheet: Top 10 Ways To Improve Health and Health Equity
To improve health and well-being, policymakers must act to address inequities, infrastructure, and social determinants of health that contribute to poor health.
Policies to strengthen the nation’s health must ensure that individuals and communities are healthy, thriving, and inclusive through long-term, sustained investments.
The Economic, Educational, and Health-Related Costs of Being a Woman
From the gender wage gap to gender-based pricing, the cost of being a woman in America is integrated in our economic, health, and education systems and requires a multipronged policy approach to address.
Clean Energy Will Cut Costs for Families Across the Country
The clean energy investments in President Biden’s economic plan spell cost savings for families across the country on household electric, heating, and gasoline bills in the decade to come.
Expanded Child Tax Credits Have Been a Lifeline for Many
Expanded child tax credit payments have provided much-needed financial support to a wide range of families across income level, race/ethnicity, and education.
Expanding Education Access for Black Girls With Disabilities
To create more equitable education systems, policymakers must understand how racism, ableism, and sexism intersect and negatively affect Black disabled girls’ ability to attain an education.
Maximizing Federal Investments To Address Social Determinants of Health
In its response to a request for information from the Congressional Caucus for Social Determinants of Health, CAP outlined challenges in addressing the social and economic conditions that affect health and actions Congress can take to improve them.
