How can you ensure all team members understand social determinants of health?

Social determinants of health (SDH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age that affect their health and well-being. SDH include factors such as income, education, employment, housing, environment, culture, and social support. As a social worker, you may work with clients who face various challenges and barriers related to SDH. You may also collaborate with other professionals from different disciplines who have different perspectives and approaches to addressing health issues. How can you ensure that all team members understand SDH and their impact on your clients? Here are some tips to help you communicate effectively and promote a shared vision of health equity.

1 Explain the concept of SDH

Some team members may not be familiar with the concept of SDH or may have a different definition of it. You can start by explaining what SDH are and how they affect health outcomes and disparities. You can use examples from your own practice or from relevant literature to illustrate how SDH shape the experiences and needs of your clients. You can also highlight the interrelatedness and complexity of SDH and how they require a holistic and comprehensive approach to address them.

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Mathieu Bertrand

Co-Founder & CEO @ Like Family I Speaker @ Startup Speakers
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The Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, which in turn, significantly impact their health outcomes and overall well-being. These determinants are multifaceted and encompass various interconnected factors that extend beyond individual behavior and healthcare access.

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2 Listen to different perspectives

Each team member brings their own expertise, knowledge, and values to the team. You can learn from each other and appreciate the diversity of perspectives that can enrich your work. You can also acknowledge the potential differences and conflicts that may arise from different views on SDH and how to address them. You can listen actively and respectfully to each other and try to understand the rationale and evidence behind each perspective. You can also ask questions and seek clarification when needed.

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3 Share your insights and experiences

You have valuable insights and experiences from working with your clients that can inform the team's understanding of SDH. You can share your observations, assessments, and interventions that relate to SDH and how they affect your clients' health and well-being. You can also share your challenges, successes, and lessons learned from working with SDH. You can use stories, cases, or data to support your points and illustrate the realities and complexities of SDH.

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Mathieu Bertrand

Co-Founder & CEO @ Like Family I Speaker @ Startup Speakers
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In my experience and observations within the healthcare sector, SDH play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and needs of our clients. For instance, socioeconomic status, education, employment opportunities, housing stability, access to quality healthcare, and social support networks are key components of SDH that greatly influence an individual's health outcomes.

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4 Seek feedback and collaboration

You can invite feedback and collaboration from your team members to improve your understanding and practice of SDH. You can ask for their opinions, suggestions, and resources that can help you address SDH more effectively and efficiently. You can also offer your feedback and collaboration to others and contribute to the team's goals and objectives. You can seek opportunities to learn from each other and work together on projects, initiatives, or referrals that involve SDH.

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5 Advocate for health equity

You can use your voice and influence to advocate for health equity within your team and beyond. You can raise awareness and educate others about SDH and their impact on health and well-being. You can also challenge and address the structural and systemic factors that create and maintain health inequities and injustices. You can support and join efforts to promote policies, programs, and services that address SDH and improve health outcomes for your clients and communities.

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Mathieu Bertrand

Co-Founder & CEO @ Like Family I Speaker @ Startup Speakers
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Addressing SDH requires collaboration across various sectors, including healthcare, social services, education, housing, and employment. It involves not only providing medical interventions but also addressing the root causes that impact health disparities. For instance, initiatives focused on improving educational opportunities, reducing income inequality, ensuring safe and affordable housing, and promoting community engagement can significantly impact health outcomes by addressing underlying SDH.

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6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you ensure all team members understand social determinants of health?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Explain the concept of SDH

2 Listen to different perspectives

3 Share your insights and experiences

4 Seek feedback and collaboration

5 Advocate for health equity

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Social Work

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Directory

How can you ensure all team members understand social determinants of health?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Explain the concept of SDH

2 Listen to different perspectives

3 Share your insights and experiences

4 Seek feedback and collaboration

5 Advocate for health equity

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Social Work

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