Social determinants of health
Gerald, L.
North Carolina Medical Journal 73(5): 353-357
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2559 PMID: 23189417 Document Number: 660581
In spite of improvements in its health care delivery systems and in local and state public health infrastructure, North Carolina continues to face significant challenges in improving the health of its citizens. The state lags behind almost two-thirds of the nation in overall health status, and racial and ethnic disparities exist across multiple indicators of health outcomes. A growing body of knowledge is emerging regarding the effects of various social, environmental, and economic factors on health status. The commentaries published in this issue of NCMJ address the relationships between health status or health outcomes and such factors as education, income, race or ethnicity, housing, and neighborhoods. Success stories and promising practices and projects in North Carolina are also featured.