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.
Investments in public health not only improve the health of society but also advance equity and foster economic and climate resiliency.
Policies to strengthen the nation’s health must ensure that individuals and communities are healthy, thriving, and inclusive through long-term, sustained investments.
A variety of analytic tools can clarify public health priorities and predict the health impact of policy solutions.
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.
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.
North Carolina has developed a large-scale, comprehensive approach to addressing unmet nonmedical needs—including food, housing, and transportation insecurity—through Medicaid.
As food insecurity worsened for the disability community during the pandemic, several disability organizations developed innovative solutions that could provide a road map toward better equity around food access.
To meaningfully improve the health of Americans, new policies must target all of the drivers of health, including education, economic stability, neighborhoods and environments, social and community well-being, and historic inequities.
Ensuring a quality education for America’s students during the COVID-19 pandemic will require a range of federal and state supports, as well as efforts to build a robust economy that works for everyone.
Three case studies illustrate how humility, collaboration, and community-driven processes are essential to impactful work.