Reimagining Justice: Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health

 

Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., and DentaQuest Partnership for Oral Health Advancement

In the past 10 years, media attention has focused increasingly on the reality that health status, longevity—and other indicators of physical and emotional well-being—are functions of a complex set of factors including race, income, intergenerational wealth, educational status, and more. It turns out that having health insurance and access to health care are just one piece of the puzzle.

Health equity should be a primary concern for faith communities. Because local congregations interact with vulnerable people through a variety of outreach activities, we are well-positioned to understand the connections between the many social determinants that impact health. Access to healthy food, the availability of safe, affordable housing, and proximity to sources of pollution are all examples of these “social determinants of health” – the things that influence and impact health status.

We hope this podcast series inspires you to learn more about health equity and the social determinants of health in your local community, so you can be an effective advocate for a healthy future for ALL Texans.