Community health centers: Leveraging the social determinants of health

There are important opportunities for health care to increase its impact on health and wellbeing by leveraging the “social determinants of health” (SDH) – i.e., the social, economic, and physical conditions that underlie and shape health. The Institute for Alternative Futures’ project on Community Health Centers Leveraging the Social Determinants of Health charts a path forward for the many health care providers who understand the importance of the SDH for their patients’ health, but feel powerless to address their needs along non-medical dimensions. Based on a review of community health center (CHC) efforts in this domain, this report offers leaders in CHCs, public health, and policy an understanding of how health care providers can move beyond health care services alone to improve the health of the population. This report introduces SDH efforts in the context of an increasing focus on the social determinants in federal health policy, academic research, and emerging care models. It then identifies trends and forces shaping health care and CHCs. The report presents the methods used to study the SDH efforts of CHCs and provides an overview of the patterns observed across the many programs. It concludes with recommendations developed at a national workshop of CHC leaders and other experts to expand and enhance these efforts.