What are Social Determinants of Health?

Population Overview

Older Adults

Introduction

Orange County at a Glance

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines social determinants of health (SDoH) as the conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that impact health outcomes of a person or community. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at the global, national, and local levels. These forces are outside the control of an individual or community and can greatly affect their overall health and wellbeing. Addressing these SDoH requires collective community action on a systemic level. The following pages highlight the status of the Older Adult population in Orange County across three social factors:

Population Overview

Health and Mortality

COVID-19

Comparing how long a group lives and determining their quality of life to the population at large can be a baseline for whether systemic disparities exist and how these disparities impact the community.

Health and Mortality

Social Determinants of Health

Economics and Education

Economics and Education

Education does more than determine one’s income. Individuals with higher education are more likely to be healthier and live longer. Improving education in various communities can bring significant health benefits to everyone.

Built Environment and Social Context

Built Environment and Social Context

Get Involved

Where someone lives, how an individual gets around, and what is going on in a person’s community can greatly impact both individual and community health and well-being. Things like neighborhood walkability, cleanliness of air and water, and even the age of buildings in the community can affect quality of life.