Social determinants of health are the circumstances in which people are born, grow up, live, work, and age. This also includes the systems in place to offer health care and services to a community. These circumstances are in turn shaped by a wider set of forces: economics, social policies, and politics. (Social Determinants of Health Key Concepts, World Health Organization).
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What’s New
New Social Determinants of Health slidesets available! These slidesets provide county level data on common social determinants of health such as poverty, income, education, housing, and others.
Public Health Reports Supplement on Applying Social Determinants of Health to Public Health Practice
The Public Health Reports November/December 2013 supplement (Volume 128, supplement 3) focuses on applying social determinants of health to public health practice.
- Guest Editorial: From Theory to Action: Applying Social Determinants of Health to Public Health Practice , Hazel D. Dean, ScD, MPH; Kim M. Williams, PhD; and Kevin A Fenton, MD, PhD, FFPH
- Integrating a Social Determinants of Health Practice: A Five Year Perspective of Actions Implemented by CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention , Hazel D. Dean, ScD, MPH; Kim M. Williams, PhD; and Kevin A Fenton, MD, PhD, FFPH
- What Can Public Health Programs Do to Improve Health Equity? Ritu Sadana, ScD and Erik Blas, DrPH
- Addressing the Social Determinants of Health through the Alameda County, California, Place Matters Policy Initiative , Katherine Schaff, MPH; Alexandra Desautels, MSW; Rebecca Flournoy, MPH; Keith Carson, MPA; Teresa Drenick, JD; Darlene Fujii, RD, MEd; et al.
Social Determinants of Health White Paper
In 2010, CDC published an NCHHSTP White Paper on Social Determinants of Health called Establishing a Holistic Framework to Reduce Inequities in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis in the United States . This white paper outlines the strategic vision of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention for reducing health disparities and promoting health equity related to our conditions of interest. The purpose of the white paper is to advance a holistic approach to the design of our public health programs to advance the health of communities and increase their opportunities for healthy living.
Factors Driving the HIV Epidemic Among African Americans
Public Health and Homelessness
Homelessness in the 21st century is an ongoing problem, increasing due to the country's recent economic downturn, especially in urban areas. This video podcast discusses how homelessness impacts health and what public health professionals can do about it. Download this podcast, locate accessible versions, and subscribe to podcast series.
- Page last reviewed: March 10, 2014
- Page last updated: March 3, 2017
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