Identifying, discussing, and helping patients access services to manage social determinants are important components of proactive patient care. Screening tools that assess a patient’s living situation, food security, transportation, utilities, general safety, financial strain, employment, and community support can be utilized to allow providers to gain an understanding of an individual’s health risks. Of equal importance to the healthcare provider is understanding the connection between social determinants and health outcomes. Healthcare providers play a significant role in decreasing health disparities in their community. On the patient level, providers can address social determinants as a part of care practices through compassionate, empathetic care and proactive referrals to support services. At the practice
level, providers can implement organizational changes to reduce barriers for underserved communities, such as extending clinic hours to accommodate appointments for working parents. On the community level, healthcare providers can advocate for change to improve the health of their community. Healthcare providers engaged with the community and advocate for social change can have significant impacts on the health of underserved populations.
WORKS CITED https://uqr.to/SocialDeterminants
Self-Assessment Answers and Rationales
3. The correct answer is B. Rationale: Individuals suffering with addiction were more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection as a result of an increased likelihood of homelessness, low socioeconomic status, smoking status, lack of insurance or being underinsured, and chronic disease (lung or cardiovascular disease). 4. The correct answer is C. Rationale: Patients should be asked about social challenges in a sensitive, caring, and culturally acceptable way. Empathy and compassion create an environment that allows people to be more forthcoming about their concerns or symptoms, leading to better care and more accurate diagnoses. 5. The correct answer is A. Rationale: Healthcare clinics can promote equity for all patients by offering extended clinic hours to accommodate working patients.
1. The correct answer is B. Rationale: Housing instability and low-quality housing can impact the health of children by increasing the risk of respiratory diseases and developmental disorders, in addition to increasing the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. 2. The correct answer is D. Rationale: There are several pathways through which education impacts health. Education typically leads to higher paying, more stable jobs that allow people to build wealth that can be used to improve their health. Higher education levels may allow individuals to feel more personal control, partly because of the benefits of increased options for employment, higher income, and other benefits. People with higher education levels are more likely to have successful long-term marriages and other social support systems in place that help them cope with daily stressors.
UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Final Examination Questions Select the best answer for each question and mark your answers on page 76. For faster service, complete your test online at EliteLearning.com/Book
65. Populations at risk for health problems related to food security may include which of the following? a. The elderly. b. Pregnant women. c. Children living in poverty. d. All the above. 66. People who do not have health insurance are at a higher risk of adverse health effects due to which of the following? a. They are more likely to have a primary care provider. b. They are more likely to have regular cancer screenings. c. They are less likely to access timely interventions for illnesses. d. They are more likely to visit specialists.
63. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are social and economic conditions that have been found to contribute to poor health outcomes. All the following are examples of SDOH EXCEPT: a. Access to healthcare. b. Education. c. Economic stability. d. Genetic disorders. 64. Where people live is one of the most significant indicators of health, with life expectancy varying by up to __________ between zip codes in the same city. a. 6 months b. 5 years
c. 20 years d. 30 years
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