The acknowledgement of the critical role social determinants of health (SDoH) play on our overall health may be the single greatest modern breakthrough in health and human services. It is commonly accepted that “your zip code determines your health more than your genetic code” which demonstrates how and why our obligation to assist patients meet their SDoH needs is emerging as the new normal.
Hess III Consulting has developed SDoH programs within small and medium providers, city, county and State governments, philanthropies and venture capital firms, and managed care organizations. Our patient-centered design is able to incorporate the realities of poverty and homeless because our founder has lived in poverty and been chronically homeless. Our experience informs our approach and results in viable solutions that truly drive outcomes.
Meeting the SDoH needs of patients should be incorporated in all levels of care and at every touchpoint with health and human service providers. This includes community health workers, peer support partners, medical assistants, teachers, case managers, nurses, physicians, therapists, specialists etc.
SDoH is traditionally used to describe housing, food, and transportation. We understand that there are many more features that impact a patient’s ability to navigate their health conditions, including:
Food Security |
Employment Opportunities |
Transportation |
Non-emergency Medical Transportation |
Independent Living |
Housing Vouchers |
Faith-based Programs |
Child Care |
Utility Assistance |
Smart phone access |
Internet Access |
Independent Living Skills |
Daily Living Skills |
Educational Opportunities |
Vocational Training |
Re-entry Support Services |
Immigration Legal Aid |
English as a Second Language |
Resource directories and databases |
SDoH Screening Tools |
Standard SDoH Data Sets |
Value Added Benefits |
Patient Incentives |
Infant Car Seats |
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
Air Quality and Asthma Home Studies |
Bio-hazardous medical waste and disposal |
Meaningful Daily Activities |
Domestic Violence Legal Aid |