Social Determinants of Health

What are social determinants of health? And why are they so important?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These include economic stability, education, social and community context, health and healthcare access, and neighborhood and built environment.

Economic stability focuses on the relationship between financial resources—such as income, employment, and housing—and health. Education examines how educational attainment and literacy impact well-being. Social and community context looks at how environments where individuals live, learn, and work affect their health, addressing issues like community cohesion and discrimination. Health and healthcare access highlights the importance of obtaining health services, including insurance coverage and health literacy. Finally, the neighborhood and built environment explores how living conditions, such as housing quality and access to transportation, influence overall health and safety.

Where can we find data on social determinants of health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has integrated nine measures of social determinants of health (SDOH) from the American Community Survey into its places data platform to enhance community health planning.

Notable sources of SDOH:

• Data Access: Users can find SDOH data on the CDC's PLACES platform, where it is available through interactive maps and GIS software for detailed analysis.

• Additional Resources: Beyond PLACES, several datasets provide SDOH data, including: American Community Survey (ACS): Offers demographic, social, economic, and housing data. Social Vulnerability Index (SVI): Helps identify communities needing support during disasters. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps: Provides insights into factors influencing health. Environmental Justice Index (EJI): Ranks environmental and health factors by census tract.

What health tech companies are building platforms using SDOH?

Several health tech companies are developing platforms that utilize social determinants of health (SDOH) to enhance patient care and support population health initiatives. Key players in this space:

• Unite Us : Connects patients to social services through a comprehensive referral platform.

• Healthify, powered by WellSky® : Offers tools for linking healthcare providers with community resources to address patients' social needs.

• NowPow (Now part of Unite Us) : Provides a platform for healthcare organizations to refer patients to appropriate community services based on their social determinants.

• Cityblock Health : Focuses on delivering holistic care by addressing both medical and social needs of patients.

• OpenBeds: A platform designed to help healthcare providers find and connect patients with mental health and substance use services.

How much investment is going into SDOH software as a service business?

According to Data Bridge Market Research, the U.S. SDOH market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9%, potentially reaching over $43 million by 2030, up from more than $8 million in 2022.the U.S.

Private insurance companies are significant players, collectively spending $1.87 billion on SDOH data, with the top six insurers accounting for 72% of this expenditure. Additionally, a study noted that 57 health systems invested at least $2.5 billion in SDOH initiatives over a two-year span.

Overall, these figures highlight substantial and increasing investments in SDOH SaaS solutions, underscoring the importance of effective data utilization to drive health equity and improve health outcomes.

What are hindrances in collecting and using SDOH for healthcare treatment?

Drawing from the insights in "Benefits and Challenges of Sharing SDoH Data," several significant obstacles impact the collection and use of social determinants of health (SDoH) data in healthcare treatment:

• Privacy Concerns: Patients, especially from vulnerable communities, often hesitate to share personal information due to fears about confidentiality and digital privacy, leading to incomplete data essential for effective care.

• Data Standardization: The lack of uniform guidelines for data collection and sharing among healthcare providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) complicates integration efforts and hinders collaboration.

• Technology Barriers: Different organizations frequently use various electronic health record (EHR) systems, which can obstruct seamless data sharing and limit a comprehensive understanding of patient needs due to fragmented information.

• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating state and federal privacy laws adds complexity to data-sharing initiatives, requiring organizations to manage regulations carefully to protect patient information while utilizing data effectively.

• Resource Constraints: The increased demand for SDoH interventions, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, places additional pressure on already stretched social services and healthcare providers, making it difficult to address all needs adequately.

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