In its latest move to improve health equity, enhance health outcomes, and remove structural barriers that historically inhibited the reduction of systemic causes of health disparities, the Biden Administration developed, published and disseminated a first-of-its-kind U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health. Rolled out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the White House Domestic Policy Council, and other federal agencies and organizations, the Playbook’s expansive range of stakeholders represents a powerful collaboration with the potential to drive meaningful health outcomes to those who need it most.
It has long been established that quality health requires robust social conditions that directly and indirectly impact health outcomes for individuals and families. Such social conditions are frequently referred to as social determinants of health (SDOH). Examples abound. Many studies have illustrated the incidence of shorter life expectancy sparked by lower levels of education. Similarly, research has shown that food insecurity has resulted a 15% higher risk of experiencing a chronic illness, in addition to a nearly 60% heightened risk of fatality from any cause. Another example is seen vividly from a broad range of poor health outcomes that have been shown to result from greater exposure to pollutants, such as cancer, asthma, anxiety and more.
In short, by improving conditions associated with SDOH, health and life expectancy enhancements would be experienced by individuals and families, particularly those from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations who often are most negatively impacted by worse circumstances in connection with SDOH.
The Administration’s Playbook seeks a distinctively comprehensive approach to improving the SDOH in the U.S., which also has the potential to serve as a model “playbook” for other countries to enhance health access and reduce inequities. While a review and analysis of health care often evaluates health impacts within a single silo of health-related components, the Playbook presents a more inclusive approach through a collaboration of federal agencies and organizations outside of government, with recommendations and actions aggregated into three primary pillars: (1) Expanding Data Gathering and Sharing; (2) Supporting Flexible Funding to Address Social Needs; and (3) Supporting Backbone Organizations.
Health equity proponents are lauding the release of the Playbook, as it represents one of the most comprehensive, actionable frameworks to date targeting improvements in health access, equity, policies, and implementation that incorporates the much-needed components comprising social determinants of health.
The complete Playbook can be found here. Our team at Strong Heroes will continue to monitor and provide updates on these efforts as the tide continues to rise for better health outcomes and enhanced health equity across the nation, and beyond, in the months and years ahead.
