The District is following global research presented by the CDC and WHO on the Social Determinants of Health as a guide in the development of the services and programs we offer to the community.

The social determinants of health (SDoH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems. Many of these factors can be addressed with programs that support health care promotion and stress the preventative nature of many health interventions. Programs that seek to increase health literacy and support healthy behaviors are our priority.

There is an abundance of research that demonstrates that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. For example, numerous studies suggest that SDoH account for between 30-55% of health outcomes. In addition, estimates show that the contribution of sectors outside health to population health outcomes exceeds the contribution from the health sector. 

To review research and to see the SDoH data in practice please review the following websites:

World Health Organization

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services/CDC

Healthy People 2030