Taking Action: Life Situations That Affect Your Health

What shapes how good your health is? You might think of your family's health history or what you eat and drink, or how much exercise you get. But life situations, such as where you live and work, impact your well-being every day. These are called social determinants of health (SDOH). Below are 3 examples of SDOH, with tips for how to work around them to help your health.

What are social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are life situations that affect your well-being. They include:

• The neighborhood you live in

• The type of job you have and where it is

• How stable your income is

• How easy or hard it is to get healthy food

• The quality of water and air in your area

• How easy or hard it is to get healthcare

Research shows that SDOH plays a big role in health. For example, they can affect how long you live, your chances of having a chronic illness, and even how well your healthcare provider takes care of you.

It might seem odd to think about your health this way. But it can help you because there are ways to make some things better.

1. Access to transportation

Having access to transportation is important. If you don’t, you might miss healthcare appointments. It may be hard to pick up prescriptions. This might be the case if you live in a rural area, don't drive, or there are no buses or trains nearby. Here are ways to find a ride:

• Ask your hospital and healthcare clinic. They may offer transportation or ride share services for patients. Sometimes these are free.

• Talk to your local public transport service. Most public transport services have agents who can help plan your ride. They might be called travel specialists or mobility managers. Tell this person where you need to go, and if you have any mobility issues. They can tell you options that meet your needs.

• Call for community services. In many states, calling 211 connects you with your local community services. Tell the operator you need transportation to medical appointments. They will tell you how to get the help you need.

• Ask your provider about telehealth. Your provider may be able to talk with you on the phone or have a video call with you. For shorter appointments, this might be easier than arranging a ride.

2. Access to healthy food

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables keeps you healthy. So does eating enough calories every day. But not everyone can get enough healthy food easily. It can be hard to do if your neighborhood grocery store doesn’t have fresh foods, or if healthy food costs too much. Here are options if it’s hard for you to get the nutrients you need:

• Apply for federal nutrition assistance programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are programs that help people afford healthy meals. Both programs give you money to buy groceries. You can apply for SNAP and WIC online, by calling 211, or by calling your state health department. Your hospital or healthcare provider should also be able to help you.

• Visit local food banks and pantries. These resources are there to provide free food to community members. Feeding America has a website to help you find your nearest foodbank. Find one close to you at www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. They also have information on SNAP, WIC, and other free and low-cost meal programs.

• Ask about meal programs. Older adults are often on limited incomes. This can make it hard to buy healthy food. There are food programs just for older adults like Meals on Wheels or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Learn more about these programs by calling your local agency on aging or 211. Be sure to tell them how old you are. This will help you get the right resources.

3. Access to affordable healthcare

When people have health insurance, they tend to get routine tests and screenings. They can see a healthcare provider before health problems get worse. If you don't have health insurance, here are ways to get coverage:

• Apply for Medicaid or Medicare. These are government insurance programs. You may qualify for Medicaid based on your income. You may qualify for Medicare if you are 65 or older or if you have a certain disability or condition. Find out how to apply at medicaid.gov or medicare.gov. Your provider, an insurance navigator, or staff at your local hospital can also help you apply.

• Ask about state healthcare programs. States often have free or low-cost healthcare programs. These might provide free screenings. Some might be just for children or older adults. Many states also give health insurance through the Affordable Healthcare Act. In most states, you can call 211 and ask about healthcare programs that may be right for you.

Who to talk to

For more information on these or other resources, ask your healthcare provider if they have a social worker, navigator, or case manager on staff. These professionals often know the most about local and national resources.