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Social Determinants of Health: Understanding the Foundations of Health Inequities

Olivia Johnson^*

Department of science and technology, University of Melbourne, Australia

Received Date: Dec 01, 2024 / Published Date: Dec 29, 2024

Citation: Olivia J (2024) Social Determinants of Health: Understanding the Foundations of Health Inequities. J Comm Pub Health Nursing, 10: 605.DOI: 10.4172/2471-9846.1000605

Copyright: © 2024 Olivia J. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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Social determinants of health (SDH) refer to the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, including economic stability, education, social and community context, healthcare access, and the physical environment. These factors are deeply embedded in societal structures and significantly impact individuals' health across different populations. SDH are shaped by the distribution of resources, power, and opportunities, and they play a critical role in the disparities observed in health outcomes. Economic stability, such as income and employment, affects an individual's ability to access healthcare, live in safe conditions, and afford healthy food. Educational attainment influences health literacy and informed health choices, while social networks and community engagement contribute to mental and physical well-being. Access to quality healthcare is crucial, but those without insurance or living in underserved areas often face barriers to necessary treatments. The physical environment, including housing quality, neighborhood safety, and air quality, can have direct effects on health. Poor housing and unsafe neighborhoods are associated with chronic conditions, mental health issues, and injuries. Social inequalities, including race, ethnicity, and gender disparities, exacerbate these effects, creating a cycle of health inequities.