Social Determinants Of Health

What are the determining agents or factors that create our health?

There is an old story about a person who was walking along a big river one day. While looking out at the water he saw a body floating by. The person was alive, but barely. The spotter jumped into the river to rescue the person. He pulled the body to shore and immediately started to assess the condition and figure out what treatment needed to be done. He went for help and soon there were others there to help the half-dead person.

As they were treating the first person they saw another half-dead person floating by. They quickly rescued that person from the river and started treatment. Before long there were multiple bodies floating by. A tent was set up to provide a safe place to put the bodies while others were treating them and restoring their health.

The bodies continued floating by, so a clinic was built. Teams of health professionals were gathered and the work was noted for its dedication and successful results. Soon a hospital was built as more bodies came floating down the river. There was active work being done by many people.

One day an observer commented: “I wonder why the bodies are floating down the river?”

No one had asked that question before, so a team was selected to go upriver to determine why the bodies were floating down. They soon discovered the reasons the bodies were getting into the river and started figuring out ways to avoid the people from ending up in the river.

This story illustrates what society has labeled “Social Determinants of Health.” It is an effort to determine what happens to cause a person to end up with poor health and need emergency measures to rescue his/her life.

Since emergency measures take much effort and resources (think money, buildings, and staff) it is wise to try to avoid this as much as possible.

What is needed for keeping someone as healthy as possible? 

For this blog, we will focus on housing.

The homeless are far more likely to have major health issues and need crisis treatment more than those who are housed. Living in the elements and not having access to clean water, a good diet and peaceful sleep take their toll.

When the homeless person needs emergency treatment it creates a drain on the local emergency services and finances. It is far smarter to go upstream and resolve homelessness as quickly as possible. It benefits everyone in the community.

We may be able to help you find answers to rapid housing your community needs in order to stop the flow of bodies down the river.