• Income

• Employment

• Housing

• Healthcare

• Food

• People with stable income are more likely to afford housing, food, and healthcare.

Social conditions into which people are born and that affect their daily lives and overall well-being as they move through life.

• Access to Good Education

• Literacy

• Language

• Higher education can lead to better job opportunities.

• Access to Primary Care

• Health Insurance

• Quality of Care

"Beyond insurance, what makes healthcare actually accessible?"

• Housing

• Transportation

• Safety

• Clean Water and Air

  
  

"What can local communities do to improve their built environment for health?"

• Community Engagement

• Support Systems

• Discrimination

  
  

• Biological factors - Genetic mutation that could increase chances of developing a disease.

• Psychosocial Factors - Conflicts within one's family that may lead to stress, anger, and depression.

• Behavioral Factors - Alcohol/Drug use, smoking, unprotected sex.

• Social Factors - Conditions in which people are born and that affect their daily lives and overall well-being as they move through various stages of life.

The law has a major impact on the social factors that affect our health, even though it's often not recognized. It can either keep unfair systems in place or help create more equal access to things like resources, rights, and opportunities that support better health for everyone.

Several areas of law directly affect the social factors that influence our health. These include civil rights laws that protect against discrimination, labor laws that set fair wages and safe working conditions, housing laws that address affordability and quality, environmental laws that help control pollution and preserve green spaces, education laws that ensure access to quality schooling, and public health laws that give health departments the power to protect communities.

American Health Law Association. (2021, June 11). Conversations with Health Law Leaders: Social Determinants of Health [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HG99tZdK2g

healthper. (2025, January 7). The Impact of Green Spaces on Mental Health #mentalhealth #balance [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3gkImV5g1Q

Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 | odphp.health.gov. (n.d.). https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health

Teitelbaum, J. B. (2013). Essentials of health policy and law. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Social Determinants of Health shows that our health depends not just on personal choices or just going to the doctor. It revolves around us, such as where we live, work, go to school and spend our time. Income, education, our community, and relationships play a significant role. Understanding these factors will better help us make a change! Through policies and community efforts, we can build a better community for all.

"What is one action can you take to support your community to address social determinants of health?"