Background: Social determinants of health are the factors or conditions present in a person's economic, political, and interpersonal environment that impact health. Although the pathways linking social determinants to health have not been completely elucidated, research evidence is accumulating that explains these associations. A number of federal initiatives dealing with social issues in health have recently been initiated. Objective: This project was undertaken in order to characterize the social determinants of health research being conducted with federal funds. Methods: The Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP) database, which catalogs extramural research funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH), was searched using 38 keywords related to social determinants of health. Results: This search uncovered 1,114 abstracts. Of these, 94 (8.4%) described ongoing research into social determinants of health in U.S. communities. The major topics investigated were socioeconomic status, social support, social networks, norms, and culture. Also included were aggregate characteristics of neighborhoods, social environment, violence, social capital, structural factors, physical living conditions, stress, racism and discrimination, demographic characteristics, and policies and laws. Of the 94 abstracts, 23 (24.5%) described an intervention being undertaken to change a social determinant that affects health. Conclusions: On the basis of the strong evidence available, we can conclude that only 24.5% of the work being done in social-determinants research involves interventions to change these causal factors. Conducting effective interventions to change social determinants of health requires a cultural adaptation within the field of public health to include this broader approach in its purview.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the state of federally funded research into social determinants of health 2. Recognize the importance of social determinants in effecting health outcomes. 3. Articulate the need for a change in the public health research agenda to include social determinants of health research in its purview
Keywords: Social Inequalities, Research Agenda
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institutes of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.