The Social Context: Social and Behavioral Factors That Affect Health Outcomes

Jacqueline M Hirth; Sandra J Gonzalez; Roger Zoorob

doi:10.1016/j.pop.2023.04.008

The Social Context: Social and Behavioral Factors That Affect Health Outcomes

Prim Care. 2023 Dec;50(4):601-620. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2023.04.008. Epub 2023 Jun 9.

Authors

Jacqueline M Hirth¹, Sandra J Gonzalez², Roger Zoorob²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77098, USA. Electronic address: Jacqueline.hirth@bcm.edu.
² Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77098, USA.

PMID: 37866834
DOI: 10.1016/j.pop.2023.04.008

Abstract

To achieve understanding and best care, screening and treating patients should consider the patient's social environment. Social and behavioral factors influence both positive and negative health behaviors that influence mental and physical health. Primary care providers continually navigate barriers faced by patients and seek solutions that take into consideration social and behavioral factors. The role of the PCP begins with an understanding of common barriers and community resources, then by assessing and responding to the patient's own challenges, and finally by advocating in the clinic and public for changes to the underlying social and structural causes of morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Allostatic load; Social isolation; Social networks; Social support; Stigma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Health Behavior*
Humans
Outcome Assessment, Health Care*