An individual’s health is influenced by many factors. Nurse Practitioners must be versed in all factors and adept in assessing the impact of economic conditions, education, environment, and social conditions on health.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Examples of SDOH include:
Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods
Racism, discrimination, and violence
Education, job opportunities, and income
Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities
Polluted air and water
Language and literacy skills
explore Social Determinants of Health and five areas that are impacted. For your community where you reside, assess these five areas. You will also explore available instruments to complete a full assessment of an individual’s SDOH.
Who is most affected?
What major challenges have you found?
What changes could you propose?
What risk assessment instruments would be appropriate to use when assessing your community?
Identify any potential health-related risks based upon the community age groups.
BY DAY 3
Education: Increase funding for schools in low-income areas and expand early childhood education programs to provide a stronger foundation.
Healthcare: Partner with community health centers to provide free or low-cost transportation to medical appointments and expand telehealth services.
Neighborhoods: Invest in creating green spaces, community gardens, and improving public transportation in underserved areas.
Social: Fund community programs that foster social cohesion and provide resources for mental health and violence prevention.
5. Risk Assessment Instruments
Several risk assessment instruments could be used to complete a full assessment of an individual's SDOH. The PRAPARE (Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients' Assets, Risks, and Experiences) tool is a widely used and effective instrument. It is an eleven-question screening tool that covers all five key areas of SDOH. Another option is the Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which helps identify and address the social needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
6. Potential Health-Related Risks by Age Groups
Children and Adolescents: Face risks of developmental delays due to malnutrition, asthma from poor air quality, and mental health issues from exposure to violence or unstable home environments.
Middle-Aged Adults: Are at higher risk for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and hypertension due to poor diet, lack of physical activity, and chronic stress from financial instability.
Older Adults: Face significant risks of social isolation, which can lead to depression and cognitive decline. They may also struggle with food insecurity and lack of access to transportation to medical appointments.
Sample Answer
Five Areas of SDOH and Assessment in My Community
The five key areas of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are: Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality, Healthcare Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community Context.
Economic Stability: My community, like many others, struggles with income inequality. While there are affluent areas, a significant portion of the population faces poverty and food insecurity. The cost of housing is a major challenge, often exceeding 30% of household income for many residents.
Education Access and Quality: The community has a mix of schools. Some high schools are highly rated and have strong college preparatory programs, while others in lower-income areas are underfunded and have lower graduation rates. This disparity creates an uneven playing field for future opportunities.