Economic stability; social and community context; access and quality of education; access and quality of health care; neighborhood and construction. Sequence of the effects of social determinants of health on the health status of older adults. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on social determinants and their impact on the health of older adults in the United States and to develop a conceptual framework for physicians to better understand the importance of social determinants in the health of older adults. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of outcomes and risks to health, functioning and quality of life. Common conditions in old age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and dementia.
As people age, they are more likely to have several conditions at the same time. Many factors combine to affect the health of individuals and communities. Whether people are healthy or not depends on their circumstances and environment. To a large extent, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family have a significant impact on health, while factors that are more commonly considered, such as access to and use of health care services, tend to have a smaller impact. To carry out the health impact assessment (EIA), it is necessary to have an empirical basis on the impact that projects, programs and policies have had on health.
A comprehensive understanding of the impact of social determinants on health can ultimately improve the health of individuals and populations, as doctors can provide more effective treatments, improve social exams, timely refer legal and social services, and initiate research to understand the mechanisms by which social factors affect health. Health is influenced by more than genetics and healthcare; the environments in which people live, work and socialize play an equally important role. This holistic approach can lead to better overall health outcomes and quality of life for older people and, ultimately, lower health care costs and improve the health of the population. When developing a public health response to aging, it is important not only to consider individual and environmental approaches that alleviate the losses associated with old age, but also those that can reinforce recovery, adaptation, and psychosocial growth.
Health organizations must adopt these interventions to improve the health status of older adults locally, nationally and globally. However, many older adults struggle to understand complex medical information, complete medical forms, or navigate the health insurance system. The nation expects an increase in the number of older adults as the population ages; therefore, it is crucial to educate healthcare providers about the social care needs of older adults and their caregivers. To conclude, the provision of quality-assured health care services for the elderly population is a challenge that requires joint approaches and strategies. These objectives highlight the importance of initial factors, which are generally not related to the provision of health services, in improving health and reducing health disparities.
If people can live these extra years of life in good health and if they live in an enabling environment, their ability to do the things they value will be little different from that of a younger person. Studies have shown that loneliness is as detrimental to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, increasing the risk of depression, cognitive decline and even premature death. There is strong evidence of the interrelationship between social factors and the health of individuals and populations; however, these studies cannot define their complex interrelationship. Each of these factors interacts with others, creating a complex network of influences that favor or hinder health of a person.
