Health is shaped by more than just individual behaviors and access to medical care. Experts state that 30-55% of health outcomes stem from external factors — collectively known as social determinants of health (SDOH). These include elements like socioeconomic status, education and access to healthcare, which create significant disparities in the quality of care and individuals’ overall well-being.
Addressing these disparities is critical in improving patient outcomes, particularly in vulnerable communities. By equipping public health professionals with the knowledge and tools to confront these challenges, an online Master of Public Health (MPH) degree offers a powerful avenue to drive systemic change. Specifically, Texas State University’s online Master of Science (M.S.) in Public Health Education and Promotion, Concentration in Health Equity program sets graduates on such a trajectory.
What Are Social Determinants of Health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age. These factors include economic stability, neighborhood environments, healthcare access, and social and community contexts. Socioeconomic status, education level and access to healthcare directly influence a person’s ability to achieve positive health outcomes. For example, a patient from a low-income background may have limited access to nutritious food or live in a neighborhood with limited healthcare facilities. These factors contribute to higher risks of chronic diseases and poorer overall health.
The CDC highlights that addressing SDOH is key to improving patient outcomes and reducing health disparities. Public health professionals play a crucial role in identifying these factors and crafting interventions that lessen their effects. By targeting SDOH, they work to bridge the gap in care between different communities.
Health Disparities’ Impact on Patient Outcomes
Health disparities refer to the differences in health outcomes that arise from social, economic and environmental factors. These disparities disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations and rural communities. People from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often experience higher rates of chronic conditions — like diabetes, hypertension and obesity — due to limited access to preventative healthcare and wellness resources.
Mitigating health disparities requires understanding their root causes. Public health experts use data-driven strategies and evidence-based approaches to design and implement programs to eliminate these disparities and improve patient outcomes. Examples include community health initiatives that offer education and resources in underserved areas or advocacy efforts to improve healthcare access in remote regions.
Role of Public Health in Combating SDOH
Public health professionals are uniquely positioned to address the systemic factors contributing to poor patient outcomes. Courses like Social Determinants of Health offered at Texas State teach students how to identify and assess health disparities within communities and develop strategies to address them.
Engaging with community leaders and stakeholders ensures interventions are culturally sensitive, relevant and accessible. For instance, programs aimed at improving health outcomes in low-income neighborhoods might include initiatives to increase access to affordable fresh produce or provide mobile health clinics in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Policy Advocacy and Data-driven Strategies
Policy advocacy is another crucial aspect of combating negative patient outcomes due to SDOH. Public health professionals work with lawmakers and community stakeholders to influence policies that improve healthcare access and quality. By advocating for better funding, improved care infrastructure and inclusive health policies, public health leaders drive the systemic changes necessary to address health disparities.
Data-driven strategies play an essential role in this advocacy. By analyzing health outcomes, demographic trends and community needs, public health professionals can craft effective and targeted interventions. As noted by McKinsey & Company, the future of public health depends on building a workforce that can leverage data to create meaningful change in communities.
Importance of Community Engagement in Public Health
Public health professionals also recognize the importance of community engagement in developing effective interventions. The most successful health programs involve the community at every stage, from planning to implementation.
In addressing SDOH related to education, public health professionals may work with schools to offer health education programs that teach children about nutrition, physical activity and wellness. Public health professionals ensure programs are sustainable and impactful by engaging community members directly.
Combating negative patient outcomes requires a multifaceted approach that addresses SDOH. Public health professionals trained in health equity are equipped with the tools and knowledge to drive change and improve the health of vulnerable populations.
Texas State’s online M.S. in Public Health and Promotion – Health Equity program empowers graduates to lead the charge in creating healthier, more equitable communities. By leveraging their expertise, they can advocate for policies and interventions that not only improve individual patient outcomes but also foster long-term systemic change in public health.
Learn more about Texas State University’s online Master of Science in Public Health Education and Promotion, Concentration in Health Equity program.
