Health Equity

Health Disparities 

• Healthy People 2030 (a national effort to improve health and well-being) defines a health disparity as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socioeconomic status; gender; age; mental health; cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity; geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion.”

• From 2017 -2019, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community was more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than other races/ethnicities (https://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/php/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/pregnancy-mortality-surveillance-system.htm#cdc_survey_profile_surveys_used-pregnancy-related-deaths-by-race-ethnicity) 

• According to the Native Hawaiian Health Fact Sheet 2022, 59.5% of Native Hawaiian women received early prenatal care, lower than the statewide average of 62.7%. This figure is also 35% below the national Healthy People 2030 target of 80.5% for pregnant females receiving early and adequate prenatal care. 

• Filipino and Pacific Islander mothers were more likely to report feeling always or often depressed.

• The preterm birth rate among babies born to Asian birthing people is 1.2x higher than the rate among all other babies - National Center for Health Statistics, 2020-2022 natality data. 

• Women in Maui travel an average of 12.6 miles to their nearest birthing hospital, while women in Hawaii County travel 12.2 miles, which is over 1.3 times farther than women in O’ahu.

Social Determinants of Health

What are social determinants of health? Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions and factors in the places where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Your health isn’t just about what you eat, how often you exercise, and how much water you drink. Your health is also significantly impacted by the conditions you live in, and even factors before you are born. These conditions and  factors are called social determinants of health. 

Social Determinants of Health can be grouped into 5 domains:

• Economic Stability 

• Education Access and Quality

• Health Care Access and Quality

• Neighborhood and Built Environment 

• Social and Community Context 

View SDOH Infographics >

Why are Social determinants of health (SDOH) important?. These factors can have a big impact on your health. People with fewer resources and facing social disadvantages often have poorer health outcomes

Examples of SDOH include:

• Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods

• Racism, discrimination, and violence

• Education, job opportunities, and income

• Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities

• Polluted air and water

• Language and literacy skills

In the United States, 1 in 10 people live in poverty  and many people can’t afford things like healthy foods, health care, and housing.

SDOH also contributes to wide health disparities and inequities.

• For example, people who don't have access to grocery stores with healthy foods are less likely to have good nutrition. That raises their risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

• Limited transportation can lead to delays in seeking medical attention, potentially worsening health conditions. Preventive care appointments may also be missed, increasing the risk of developing chronic diseases

• A pregnant person who experiences food insecurity may be deficient in essential vitamins and minerals crucial for fetal development and potentially increasing the risks for birth defects or low birth rate. 

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies weaves social, behavioral, and healthcare to address social determinants of health. For families enrolled in a Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies programming, diapers, wipes, meals, and other essentials are provided when families are in need. Learn more about Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies' programs here.

Suggested Citation:

Healthy People 2030, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease

Prevention and Health Promotion. Retrieved [date graphic was accessed], from https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries#block-sdohinfographics