Social Determinants of Health and the Aging Population

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are social, economic, and environmental conditions that help older adults maintain their health and well-being. These factors include things such as adequate access to nutritious food, stable employment and income, safe housing, and reliable and affordable transportation.

Individuals who struggle with SDOH-related factors are at risk of experiencing poor health, morbidity, and mortality. For older adults in particular, SDOH factors significantly impact their health and experiences aging, especially their ability to live independently and age in place.

Using data from a survey of 1,590 adults aged 50 or above, this issue brief discusses older adults' experiences of ADOH and their concerns about these factors for the future. This brief provides insight into the SDOH challenges older adults currently face, as well as their outlook for the future.