Overview
Social
determinants of health are defined as conditions in the environments in which 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
Social determinants are in part responsible for the unequal and avoidable differences in health status within and between communities.1
The 5 key areas of social determinants of health developed by Healthy People 2020 include: economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and
built environment. Improvements in education, a leading social determinant, are an important factor in improving the health of the nation. Increasing levels of education, including academic success and achievement, are associated with longer life expectancy,
improved health and quality of life, and adoption of health-promoting behaviors like getting regular physical activity, not smoking, and going for routine checkups and recommended screenings.2
For example, high school graduation leads to lower rates of health problems and risk for incarceration, as well as enhanced financial stability during adulthood.3
Improving the conditions in which we live, learn, work, and play and the quality of our relationships will create a healthier population, society, and workforce. People with quality education, stable
employment, safe homes and neighborhoods, and access to preventive services tend to be healthier throughout their lives.1
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More About Social Determinants
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Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
The on-time graduation rate in public schools, defined by the percentage of students awarded a high school diploma 4 years after starting 9th grade, increased by 4%, from 79% for school-year 2010–11
to 82% for 2013–14, moving toward the HP2020 target of 87%. For the 2013–14 school year, Asian or Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic students had the highest rate of on-time graduation.
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Who’s Leading the Leading Health Indicators?
Utah Food Bank Addresses Food Insecurity and Hunger among Children
Utah
Food Bank has been fighting hunger statewide for over 100 years and has implemented various programs that address food insecurity and hunger among children. Through various programs, including Kids Cafe, the BackPack Program, and the Mobile School Pantry Program,
and expansive reach across the state, Utah Food Bank has been able to provide services to ensure children are not hungry during the school day or at home. During Utah Food Bank's 2015 fiscal year, Kids Cafe provided more than 283,000 meals to children across
the state. In the same year, Utah Food Bank delivered nearly 64,000 backpacks through the BackPack Program over the course of the school year at 35 sites across the state. Additionally, through the Mobile School Pantry Program, Utah Food Bank served 29,056
households and 148,995 clients and provided 643,165 pounds of food during the 2015–2016 school year.
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the Full Story
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