Social Determinants of Health in OBGYN

Dr. Clare identifies social determinants of health as factors that prevent patients from accessing healthcare multiple times. She describes examples as housing (e.g., safe environments to live and raise families, school district locations), access to transportation, and occupation. The physicians discuss the impact of social determinants of health in the field of OB/GYN, involving how certain conditions (i.e., rates of preterm birth, infertility, and cancer) present. The group also acknowledges the concept of “political determinants of health,” which involves policies that lead to certain health outcomes, such as redlining and how it has contributed to food insecurity and many other negative effects.

The physicians also discuss how groups are addressing the downstream effects of health inequities. Dr. Clare is personally involved in lobbying and encourages those around her to advocate at the local, state, and federal levels to improve policy. In addition, Dr. Clare utilizes social media as a way to promote health equity and empower students/trainees to make positive impacts on their communities.

The episode ends with Dr. Clare expressing current improvements among the medical community when it comes to addressing social determinants of health and health inequities. Ultimately, Dr. Clare is grateful that the medical community is now more open to discuss difficult conversations that focus on improving patient care. She has also appreciated the active effort to make the medical school recruitment process more inclusive in order to diversify the future physician workforce.