When you think of factors that influence your health, you probably think of eating well, staying active and seeing a doctor when sick. But there are many more factors that impact our wellbeing beyond the actions we take for ourselves and our families. In fact, our health is greatly determined by the conditions in which we live. Health starts in homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Our overall health is significantly impacted by access to social and economic opportunities. This might include the quality of schools, the safety of workplaces and the availability of clean food and water. These are called the “social determinants of health,” and they can be game changers in our quality of life. Let’s look at the social determinants of health, why they matter and how KVC is working to improve conditions for those we serve — because, after all, we all need connection.

What are the Social Determinants of Health?

The term “social determinants of health” refers to non-medical factors in the environments where we are born, live, work and play that impact various health-related outcomes and risks. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) breaks these determinants down into five domains: economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment and social and community context.

Economic Stability and Education Quality

People who are economically stable, with steady employment and earning a livable wage, are more likely to be healthy because they can afford necessities like healthy foods, good healthcare and safe housing. In the United States, 1 in 10 people live in poverty, and these necessities can be hard to afford.

This correlation between economic stability and health is illustrated when comparing the life expectancy in poor versus wealthy parts of the world. For instance, in North America, the average life expectancy at birth in 2023 was 74 for males and 80 for females. While in Africa, the average life expectancy at birth was 61 for males and 65 for females. A child born in sub-Saharan Africa is 11 times more likely to die within their first month of life than a child born in a wealthier area like Australia or New Zealand.

Education Access and Quality

When families don’t have access to quality education — whether as a result of social discrimination, limited financial means or because they live in a low-performing school district — this inevitably results in fewer children graduating from high school or going to college. With lower education levels, these children are less likely to get safe and high-paying jobs. As a result, they experience higher rates of health problems like heart disease, diabetes and depression.

Access to Healthcare

People without health insurance are less likely to have a primary care physician to contact in case of medical need. Access to healthcare is a significant public determinant of health. Without proper healthcare, a person’s medical needs cannot be properly addressed. While the number of uninsured Americans has been decreasing, 12.2% of Americans ages 18–64 were uninsured in 2022. Healthcare policy shifts like the Medicaid expansion have helped in this arena, but insurance isn’t the only limitation on healthcare access.

Another way to improve access to healthcare is through greater implementation of telehealth services. There are currently 15 bills under consideration by a major House of Representatives subcommittee that could result in long-term, permanent telehealth solutions to make healthcare accessible from home for those who are not easily able to go to a doctor’s office or hospital.

Neighborhood and Built Environment

A person’s neighborhood and physical home impact health in many ways. Limited access to safe air or water increases the chance of medical emergencies. Older homes with lead-based paint or unseen mildew in the walls could negatively affect a person’s health.

Higher rates of violence can impact the health of those involved and the health of the neighborhood at large. If a person doesn’t feel safe walking or biking in their neighborhood, they’re less likely to spend time outside. Therefore, they’ll get less essential exercise and fresh air.

Social and Community Context

The relationships and connections a person has with others influence their mental and physical health. The lack of access to mental health support has resulted in an emergency room crisis in the United States. One piece of the puzzle of a person’s mental health is feeling like they have a support network. Having positive relationships with family, friends or coworkers to lean on in difficult times helps garner a sense of purpose in life.

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared an epidemic of loneliness, pointing to the detrimental impact disconnection is having on our country today. It’s become clear that there’s been a drastic increase in the mental health issues surrounding loneliness, depression and suicide.

Why the Social Determinants of Health Matter

Studies indicate that social determinants account for anywhere from 30–55% of health outcomes. By understanding the social determinants of health, policymakers and healthcare professionals can assess what’s needed most in a community and then take the proper measures to work toward a healthy population. 

Reducing inequities around health care, education, and essential social services results in positive health outcomes on a community and individual level. Research has even shown that addressing non-medical needs in the population such as housing, transportation and food greatly improves the quality of care and reduces medical expenses.

Prolonged exposure to a negative environment can have a significant impact on your health. For example, living in a community that lacks essential services and support can lead to stress, which over time increases one’s chances of many health issues. These include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, anxiety and depression. While stress management techniques like exercise and eating healthy can help, they are limited by access to essential resources within a given community. 

Emerging Social Determinants of Health

While many social determinants of health have been around for decades, new determinants have begun to emerge. Cultural shifts like technological advancement and global events like the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in new determinates. 

Digital Access and Technology

There have been many benefits from the technological revolution from the last few decades. However, the widespread use of the internet and social media have also been associated with poor mental and physical health. Working remotely from home has many positives for comfort and flexibility, but it also often means a more sedentary lifestyle and significantly reduced social interaction. Social media is one of the greatest social determinants of health among today’s youth as the surgeon general has gone so far as to issue a warning to families about the dangers of social media for their children’s wellbeing.

Mental Health and Social Isolation

People in the United States today are struggling with severe loneliness, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This has an even greater impact on children. Social engagement and forming healthy attachments are essential to healthy brain development.

We can learn even more about the impact of strong connections on good holistic health by analyzing Blue Zones: geographic regions that are characterized by having the world’s healthiest and longest-living inhabitants. The researchers observed those in Blue Zones operated in social circles that supported healthy behaviors.

How We Work to Improve Community Health

KVC Health Systems is a family of nonprofits housing services to help children and adults achieve mental wellness. Here are the services we are providing at each of our locations to further this mission: 

KVC Kansas

KVC Kansas helps over 12,000 children and their families each year. They provide family strengthening services, foster care, family reunification services, foster family recruitment and support, adoption, aftercare, outpatient therapy and more.

KVC Kentucky

KVC Kentucky has been a forerunner in mental and behavioral health, substance use treatment and child welfare services for families in crisis for 25 years. Services include family strengthening programs, mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, child welfare case assistance and more.

KVC Missouri

KVC Missouri supports over 1,100 foster families and provides community and family services and residential treatment to hundreds of children each year. Additionally, KVC Missouri provides academic and therapeutic support to children from Kindergarten through high school via KVC Academy and Meramec Adventure Ranch.

KVC Nebraska

KVC Nebraska has been serving children, individuals and families for more than a decade, making a difference in the lives of thousands of Nebraska individuals and families. Support services include foster care, family reunification services, educational support, outpatient therapy, substance use treatment, shared living and more.

KVC West Virginia

KVC West Virginia has been around for more than 20 years, serving children, individuals and families in need of support. In addition to foster care, adoption, mental health therapy and in-home family services, KVC West Virginia has two educational support programs catering to children in foster care: First Star Academy and the Middle College program.

Camber Mental Health

Camber Mental Health provides behavioral health services to those struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health challenges. We help clients through our network of inpatient hospitals and psychiatric residential facilities by providing treatment, care, and skill-building so they can understand their diagnoses, connect to their support network and thrive. Camber has locations throughout Kansas, currently serving Kansas City, Wichita, Hays and later this year, Olathe.

We envision a world in which every person is safe and connected to a strong family and a healthy community. We know every community, family and individual are unique. That’s why we provide a broad continuum of care. We aim to increase access to the individualized services and resources needed to be healthy and thrive!