June Health News

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

It is comforting to have access to excellent health care in Southern Oregon. It is however true we trail other developed counties in health care outcomes. Is it lifestyle choices? Genetics?  Actually non-medical factors, the social determinants of health (SDH), are the most important predictors of health outcomes.  SDH include education, peace and safety, sanitation, nutrition, economic opportunity, housing, community relationships, along with health care access.  If you think about what Rotary does (playgrounds, college scholarships, SMART reading, Candyland, Connecting With Kids, Southern Oregon Fire Relief, tiny houses, water filtration projects, Rotaplast etc.) it is all about improving SDH here and internationally!

By:  Jon Gell