Overview:

Non-medical factors can affect a person’s health. These non-medical factors are called the social determinants of health (SDOH). This blog takes an in-depth view into how each SDOH can affect health.

It is well-known that medical factors like genetics, healthcare accessibility, lifestyle choices, etc. influence people’s health. What is not as well-known is the fact that non-medical factors too play a huge role in people’s health. These non-medical factors that affect health are known as the social determinants of health (SDOH).

These determinants include a person’s education, his employment status, his income, working conditions, food insecurity, accommodation, basic comforts, early childhood development, societal inclusion, etc.

It is crucial that we give these factors the importance they deserve as studies have shown that they affect 30-35% of health outcomes. This also proves that for the well-being of the society, the involvement of sectors other than just healthcare is crucial. If long-standing health inequities are to be addressed, paying attention to the social determinants of health is vital.

In this blog, we will see how health is affected by some non-medical factors.

Economic Stability: This is one of the most obvious determinants of health. How much a person earns and the benefits his workplace gives him decide a number of things.

• His ability to buy nutritious food
• Whether he has enough money to buy medication
• Whether he can afford a decent accommodation and can pay utility bills
• Whether he has job security
• Whether his employer offers health insurance, paid sick leave, etc.

That people from high-income countries have a life expectancy that is 18 years more than their low-income counterparts is strong proof that economic stability is an undeniable SDOH.

Education: The key role that education plays in a person’s health outcome cannot be ignored.

• Early childhood education determines children’s overall development and mental well-being. It also opens the door to higher education and consequently job opportunities.
• When a person is well-educated, he has more awareness on health conditions, preventive measures and healthy lifestyle choices. As a result, he is in a better position to make informed health decisions.
• Educated individuals also usually have decent paying jobs; this translates to better income and easier access to healthcare, insurance, etc.
• Mental health is hugely dependent on education as qualities like resilience, problem-solving, social skills, etc. are associated with good education.
• Longevity is also better for educated individuals.
• Thus, we can confidently conclude that the entire society’s health benefits from education.

Housing: Housing is a basic requirement and the absence of stable and hygienic housing conditions can have a telling effect on health.

• A person’s home is his sanctuary, a place where he relaxes and rejuvenates.
• Housing that is risky and unreliable affects a person’s mental health placing him under undue stress.
• Risky housing conditions include overcrowding, leaks, exposure to mold and lead paint, and a lack of basic hygiene facilities.
• These can result in health conditions like respiratory illnesses, communicable diseases, etc.
• Other than the poor and homeless, the vulnerable sections of society like those who are discriminated against because of gender, race or disability, find it very hard to acquire decent housing facilities.

Community Environment: The effect that a person’s environment has on his physical and mental well-being is another important factor that determines health.

• The social interactions that an individual has with family, friends, co-workers, etc. affect happiness and mental health.
• Children who have experienced bullying, who have not had a happy family environment, and have had other negative experiences usually carry this emotional baggage with them into adulthood unless some medical intervention happens.
• The neighborhood too contributes to well-being as safe neighborhoods which are free from violence and have access to clean water, air, etc. play a role in keeping the community happy.
• Usually, it is the minority groups that have bad living conditions.
• Work environments which are noisy, polluted, etc. also affect people’s health drastically.
• The government and other authorities need to intervene to put into place policies that reduce risks and promote health. This includes providing safe, clean neighborhoods with proper footpaths and bicycle lanes, and enhanced security.

The Social Determinants of Health and Genes – The Bigger Picture

That the social determinants of health can influence our genes is a fact not many of us are aware of.

• The field of epigenetics is now proving that our environment influences our genes.
• From the food we eat and our physical activity levels to our accessibility to resources, there are many factors that change the chemicals attached to our genes.
• As a result, all of these factors put together influence our overall health.
• For example, let us suppose that a person inherits a gene that increases his risk of heart diseases.
• Going by our past knowledge, there is nothing we could do to change that – we were of the belief that genetic mutations were beyond our control.
• But recent advances in epigenetics is proving that this is not true.
• Our environment can change the way our genes work.
• To understand it better, we can think of it as environmental factors having the ability to turn on and turn off our genes.
• We always thought of our genes as being set in stone – epigenetics is now showing that this is not true and we do have some control over them.
• While further detailed research is needed, the fact is the social determinants of health are factors we cannot ignore in our quest for better health.  

There is no quick, simple solution to improving the social determinants of health. Any long-standing solution has to involve the government, healthcare leaders, leaders from other industries, and the people – only then will the dream of health equity become a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the social determinants of health?

They are non-medical factors—such as economic stability, education, housing, and community environment—that significantly influence overall health.

How does economic stability impact health?

Economic stability affects access to nutritious food, medication, quality housing, and healthcare, ultimately influencing life expectancy.

What role does education play in health outcomes?

Education improves health by fostering informed decision-making, preventive care awareness, and access to better job opportunities and healthcare.

Why is housing important for health?

Stable, hygienic housing reduces stress and exposure to environmental risks, while poor conditions can lead to chronic health issues.

How does the community environment influence well-being?

A safe, inclusive community with strong social ties enhances mental health, whereas negative surroundings increase stress and health risks.

Can social factors affect our genes?

Yes, through epigenetics, environmental influences like nutrition and stress can modify gene expression, affecting disease risk.

Become a Member to post Articles Back to Profile