Social determinants of health, are “the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life” (World Health Organization, 2017).
These determinants impact multiple health outcomes, dealing with health care access, to maternal and child health and substance abuse prevention. The information presented here highlights how these various prevention efforts can work together to change systems and make communities healthier.
These research papers explore the social determinants of health across five main categories. Additionally, there are Colorado-specific strategies and resources specific to each topic within these categories.
Social determinants of health meta-analysis
Research on the impact of the five social determinants of health categories and information on promising strategies to address health disparities.
Meta-Analysis
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
Social determinants of health resources
Research on income, employment, and housing.
- Economic opportunity
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
- Homelessness
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
- Paid leave
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
Research on educational opportunities and access from childcare through higher education
- Childcare
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
- Early childhood education
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
- K-12 education
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
Research on family-friendly business practices, stress, and employee health.
- Family-friendly business practices
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
Research on connectedness, the impact of the criminal justice system on neighborhoods, and social connections.
- Criminal Justice
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
- Neighborhood Fabric and Community Connectedness
- Brief (PDF)
- Full research paper (PDF)
Resources to implement the strategies
- Colorado Office of Health Equity (web page)
- Family-Friendly Workplace Toolkit (PDF, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children)
- Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local Governments (Public Health Institute website)
- Preserving, Protecting, and Expanding Affordable Housing: A Policy Toolkit for Public Health (ChangeLab Solutions website)
- Essentials for Childhood Policy Guide (PDF, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials)
- Health in All Policies Evaluation Tool for State and Local Health Departments (PDF, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials)