Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants of health are the nonclinical factors that affect health outcomes. They include systemic racism, along with social and community conditions, health care access, education, neighborhood and housing, environmental quality, and economic stability. The Center for American Progress prioritizes social and economic policies that are critical across the social determinants of health to optimize health and achieve health equity.

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Nonprofit Hospitals Can Improve Community Health Through Housing Investments Report
Exterior of IRS building

Nonprofit Hospitals Can Improve Community Health Through Housing Investments

Nonprofit hospitals have an obligation to provide community benefit; as part of this, they should do more to support the housing needs of the communities they serve.

Marquisha Johns, Nicole Rapfogel

How the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Can Respond to the Health Threats of the Climate Crisis Report

How the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity Can Respond to the Health Threats of the Climate Crisis

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Climate Change and Health Equity must elevate the health and environmental justice implications of the climate crisis and provide the connective tissue needed to harness resources, leverage authorities, and coordinate federal expertise.

Jill Rosenthal, Marquisha Johns

Rep. Wendy E.N Thomas: Infrastructure Bill will help mitigate ‘forever chemicals’ In the News

Rep. Wendy E.N Thomas: Infrastructure Bill will help mitigate ‘forever chemicals’

In an op-ed, New Hampshire state Rep. Wendy E.N. Thomas (D) describes how contaminated drinking water contributed to deteriorating public health in her community. Thomas explains how federal grants from the Biden administration’s infrastructure policies are delivering long-awaited relief to affected communities.

the New Hampshire Union Leader

Wendy E.N. Thomas

Film Screening: ‘InHospitable’ Past Event

Film Screening: ‘InHospitable’

This documentary film sheds light on the impacts of hospital consolidation and the conduct of non-profit hospitals.

Center for American Progress

A Strong Start in Life: How Public Health Policies Affect the Well-Being of Pregnancies and Families Report
A mother kisses her child as her midwife examines her at a birthing center in South Los Angeles.

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.

Hailey Gibbs, Marquisha Johns, Osub Ahmed, 2 More Maggie Jo Buchanan, Arohi Pathak

Fact Sheet: Top 10 Ways To Improve Health and Health Equity Fact Sheet
A 3-year-old girl keeps a close eye on the needle as both her grandparents are vaccinated.

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.

Jill Rosenthal, Nicole Rapfogel, Marquisha Johns

Top 10 Ways To Improve Health and Health Equity Report
A medical staff member holds the hand of a patient admitted to the COVID-19 intensive care unit for treatment.

Top 10 Ways To Improve Health and Health Equity

Policies to strengthen the nation’s health must ensure that individuals and communities are healthy, thriving, and inclusive through long-term, sustained investments.

Jill Rosenthal, Nicole Rapfogel, Marquisha Johns

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