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Social Determinants of Health Are a Key to Health Care Value
By: Sam Cohen
Payers are already rolling out initiatives to address Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). Some are also incorporating SDoH into value-based payments models.
Just as many physician practices are beginning to gain experience with value-based payment models, health policy discussions are already turning to what many are calling the next step in the evolution of value-based care: social determinants of health (SDoH). The conversation focuses on what role SDoH play in patient health and how clinicians can help address SDoH disparities.
About Social Determinants of Health
SDoH are the conditions in the places where people are born, grow, live, learn, work, play, and age that affect health risks and outcomes. On a practical level, conversations about SDoH normally are about issues such as food security, housing stability, interpersonal violence (e.g., domestic violence, child abuse), transportation, and utilities (e.g., heat, water, electricity). More broadly, SDoH also can include issues such as economic security, personal safety, and the environment (e.g., air pollution, drinking water quality).
Social Determinants of Health have a profound impact on health outcomes. According to one study, 20% of health…
