Timothy Kelley

Its physicians are overworked, and patients are going elsewhere for care. Experts say help is on its way for primary care in the United States — but so is an onslaught of new demands.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) have been on the minds of local, county and state governments for years. These two jurisdictions have been conspicuously active in pioneering innovative programs addressing SDOH.

Kate Sommerfeld, president of the Social Determinants of Health Institute, spoke about efforts to address social determinants of health (SDOH) gaining traction, taking an interconnected approach and using data analytics to understand the value of the efforts to address SDOH.

There’s a long history to recognizing that social factors shape people’s health. But the social determinants of health are getting more attention than ever. Will that attention turn into action and lasting change?