Addressing Social Determinants to Improve Patient Care and Promote Health Equity: An American College of Physicians Position Paper

Ann Intern Med. 2018 Apr 17;168(8):577-578. doi: 10.7326/M17-2441.

Abstract

Social determinants of health are nonmedical factors that can affect a person's overall health and health outcomes. Where a person is born and the social conditions they are born into can affect their risk factors for premature death and their life expectancy. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians acknowledges the role of social determinants in health, examines the complexities associated with them, and offers recommendations on better integration of social determinants into the health care system while highlighting the need to address systemic issues hindering health equity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Health Equity*
  • Health Policy*
  • Health Promotion*
  • Humans
  • Quality Improvement*
  • Social Determinants of Health*
  • Societies, Medical
  • United States