Understanding Social Determinants of Health

Head Start programs are committed to giving everyone the opportunity to improve health and health care outcomes. Through prevention, promotion, early identification. and intervention, health services staff are a bridge connecting families to the resources and supports needed to change their health trajectory.

Head Start health managers have an opportunity to reduce the impact of risk factors and strengthen protective factors so everyone has the best chance to be healthy. Health managers who understand how risk and protective factors influence health outcomes can develop policies and practices to minimize risk factors and promote protective factors.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) provide a framework for understanding the many conditions that put individuals at greater risk of negative health outcomes. SDOH are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect their health. While Head Start children, families, and staff may be experiencing risk factors associated with negative health outcomes, the comprehensive services provided in Head Start programs and the support of family and community can be important sources of protective factors. Protective factors lower the likelihood of negative outcomes or reduce a risk factor’s impact.

Social determinants of health are grouped into five domains:
Economic Stability
Education Access and Quality
Health Care Access and Quality
Neighborhood and Built Environment
Social and Community Context

8 children of various ages and ethnicities holding hands as they stand side by side outdoors while the sun shines brightly behind them. Understanding the SDOH present in communities and the impact on children, families, and staff in Head Start programs is essential to designing services that help families overcome these barriers and improve health outcomes. Health managers and program leadership should take the time to understand and use SDOH to design effective strategies to support families, so children can enter school healthy and ready to learn.