There Are 5 Social Determinants of Health—Here’s What That Means, and How They Influence Your Care

June 9, 2021

Wellness has typically been viewed in terms of diet, exercise, and, more recently, mental health. It’s easy to assume that if you’re taking care of these elements, your overall health is in good shape. While that can be true on one level, other factors also go into determining how healthy you are, things you may not have given much thought.

An important group of factors getting more attention lately are the social determinants of health. You can’t calculate them as easily as, say, how many cups of veggies you should eat in a day. They’re the things within your social and physical environment that shape the healthy practices and habits of your upbringing and day-to-day life. Though you may not consciously think about them, they have a powerful influence.

***

“People who lack insurance and therefore have to pay for care out of pocket are more likely to avoid seeking screening or treatment, which means they will suffer worse outcomes such as more or worse symptoms, faster progression of illness, and in some cases, premature mortality,” Dawne Mouzon, PhD, MPH, associate professor at the Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, tells Health.

Health, June 7, 2021

Recent Posts

Report Release: R/ECON Forecast Summer 2025

Read Report R/ECON’s economic forecast for New Jersey as of mid-2025 continues to show a slowing trajectory. Annual GDP growth is projected at just 0.5% for 2025, significantly lower than in prior forecasts and markedly below the national rate of 1.5%. Growth will...

New Publication from Payne: Digital Twin or Digital Kin?

Digital Twin or Digital Kin: Misunderstandings and Myths about Urban Simulation, and Directions for Change Abstract Using three case studies from the United States and Australia, this article explores the conditions required to make urban digital twin projects...

Prof. Clint Andrews Receives IEEE PES Robert Noberini Award

On July 29, 2025, Professor Clint Andrews received the IEEE PES Robert Noberini Distinguished Contributions to Power Engineering Professionalism Award. The award was established to honor PES members in the power engineering profession for long-term dedicated effort...

Heldrich Report Examines Effect of New Jersey TAG Program

Researchers from the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development analyzed the impact of financial aid on student success. A new report, Building a Comparison Group for Tuition Aid Grant Recipients Using the New Jersey Statewide Data System, examines the effect of the...

NJSPL: Report of Child Well-Being in New Jersey

by Angie Nga Le The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its 36th Kids Count Data Book, providing updated insights into the well-being of children in New Jersey and across the nation[1]. The report assesses child well-being in all 50 states using 16 key indicators...