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Health Disparities in America: A Closer Look
Understanding the Impact of Social Determinants of Health
Health disparities, the unequal distribution of health outcomes across different groups of people, have been a persistent issue in the United States for centuries. In this article, we will explore how these disparities are shaped by the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), which encompass the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence our health and well-being.
The SDoH Model: A Framework for Understanding Disparities
The SDoH model recognizes that health is not solely determined by individual choices or genetics. Rather, it is influenced by a complex interplay of factors such as:
- Income and poverty
- Education
- Housing and neighborhood conditions
- Access to healthcare
- Environmental exposures
These factors can accumulate over time, creating cumulative disadvantages for certain groups and leading to significant health disparities.