Author: Victoria P. Kasdan, RN, BSN, MPH
Co-founder & Board Chair, Making An Impact
October marks the arrival of fall, pumpkin spice season, and the beginning of the health insurance open enrollment period (OEP). This is the time when individuals can enroll in or change their health insurance plans, including Medicare (Oct. 15 – Dec. 15, 2024) and the Marketplace (Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 15, 2025). While having health insurance is vital for accessing affordable care, health is influenced by more than just insurance; it also encompasses social determinants such as food, housing, and economic stability. So, what is SDOH, and why should you care?
Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly affect health outcomes and can impact an individual’s ability to maintain good health. Key categories include:
- Economic Stability: Income and employment.
- Education: Access to quality education and literacy.
- Community: Relationships and community engagement.
- Health and Healthcare: Access to services and quality of care.
- Environment: Housing quality and access to healthy foods.
Accessing essential services is a powerful tool for enhancing health outcomes. When your needs are met, you’re more likely to utilize your health insurance effectively, leading to lower healthcare costs and a healthier community overall.
Making An Impact is the only local nonprofit solely dedicated to providing comprehensive information on services for basic needs, disaster recovery, and prescription drug savings. Our focus and diligence in providing the most accurate and up-to-date information have made our guides some of the area’s most trusted and widely used local care navigation reference tools.
While health insurance is essential, addressing the broader social determinants that influence overall health is equally important. By doing so, we can improve health equity and outcomes within our communities. This awareness and our efforts at Making An Impact to help others find services to address other factors affecting their overall well-being is the first step towards creating a healthier future for everyone!
