Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.^[1] SDOH are particularly big influences on psychiatric disorders and mental health.

SDOH can be grouped into 5 domains:

1. Economic Stability
2. Education Access and Quality
3. Health Care Access and Quality
4. Neighbourhood and Built Environment
5. Social and Community Context

Examples of SDOH include:

• Safe housing, transportation, and neighbourhoods
• Racism, discrimination, and violence
• Education, job opportunities, and income
• Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities^[2]
• Polluted air and water
• Language and literacy skills

Fig. 1