Written by Slalom
Housing: A Key Pillar of Social Determinants of Health
Healthcare is not solely dependent on medical care provided by healthcare professionals and facilities. There are various nonmedical factors known as Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that significantly impact an individual’s health outcomes.1 These factors include socioeconomic status, neighborhood conditions, safe housing, transportation, and more. Surprisingly, SDOH contribute to 80-90% of health outcomes, while medical care only accounts for 10-20%.2
Despite the overwhelming influence of SDOH on health, our healthcare system has primarily focused on reactive and individual-centric care. To improve the overall health of communities and populations, a more holistic approach is necessary, one that addresses the root causes of health issues by considering SDOH. By adopting this proactive perspective, we can reduce the burden on medical systems, diminish health disparities, and promote health equity.
Healthcare disparities, which arise from social, economic, and environmental sources, disproportionately affect underserved and disadvantaged populations.3 Access to healthcare is a significant SDOH influenced by economic status. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to be uninsured and face barriers to seeking care, resulting in poorer health outcomes.4 By collectively addressing SDOH, we can implement targeted solutions to improve the health outcomes of underserved populations, reducing disparities and ensuring health equity for all.
Government and non-profit sectors encompass numerous organizations that have a direct impact on SDOH. These organizations have a valuable opportunity to incorporate a public health perspective into their work, positively influencing the health outcomes of the communities they serve.
Combating Homelessness – A Moral Obligation for Public and Private Sectors?
Homelessness represents the most severe form of housing insecurity. Phoenix is currently grappling with a significant homeless crisis. As of January 2022, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Arizona was 13,553, an increase of nearly 25% since 2020.5 This alarming increase highlights the urgent need to address the housing crisis and its impact on our public health.
Addressing this complex, multi-faceted problem requires a coordinated, community-wide approach involving organizations across sectors and technology solutions to support interorganizational collaboration, data sharing, capacity building and more. However, it is important to provide supportive services alongside housing to ensure individuals can maintain their housing and thrive.
Beyond organizations traditionally responsible to address such challenges, private businesses that value community impact are also recognizing a moral obligation to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our communities.
Aligned with their vision of a world where everyone has the opportunity to love both their life and work, at Slalom, building better tomorrows for all starts with investing in the communities outside our front doors. Specifically, Slalom is playing a key role in addressing housing as a SDOH by developing platforms that connect individuals in crisis with shelters and services in real-time. For example, Slalom’s partnership with the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and their tiny home village model is one of the most successful housing solutions in Seattle, with over half of residents exiting to permanent housing (compared to traditional congregate shelter models, which in Seattle, only see 14-19% success6). As this data demonstrates, the provision of housing alone is rarely successful without the proper support to help individuals maintain and be happy in that housing. By focusing on a housing-first approach, offering wraparound services, and reducing laborious administrative tasks, organizations like LIHI are making a significant impact on reducing homelessness and improving health outcomes for the affected population. 7
By recognizing and addressing the multifaceted impact of housing and related factors on health, we can work towards creating healthier communities and achieving health equity for all.
If you’d like to discuss these ideas and others, please reach out to Erin Mettille, Director of Public & Social Impact for Slalom Phoenix.
1 https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863696/#B45
3 https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/disparities/index.htm
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447830/
5 https://des.az.gov/homeless – 2022 Homelessness Annual Report
6 https://kcrha.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DRAFT_KCRHA_5-Year-Plan.pdf
7 https://www.slalom.com/case-studies/low-income-housing-institute