Examining the association between healthcare perceptions and behaviors that address social determinants of health

Introduction: Social determinants of health (SDOH) apply systems thinking to health acknowledging environmental influences on health outcomes. Extant research examines the deleterious influences of SDOH while identifying the need for systemic changes to address SDOH. There is limited research examining predictors influencing behaviors addressing SDOH. 

Method: The Health Attitudes Survey was used to test how social bonds and perceptions of what shapes health influence behaviors addressing SDOH. Four logistic regression analyses were run to determine which perceptions predicted behaviors addressing SDOH. 

Results: Participants were more likely to address SDOH when acknowledging system influences on health, including health access and social support. Community bonds also increased the odds of participants’ willingness to pay more taxes, vote, donate to charity, and volunteer to address health concerns. Participants with more traditional perceptions of what shapes health had lower odds of addressing SDOH. 

Discussion: Public health messaging targeting the influence of SDOH on health outcomes may mobilize behaviors addressing SDOH. Simultaneously, increasing social bonds and the self-efficacy of communities to make changes to support health may increase support for SDOH.