Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content
  • Social Determinants of Health Main Banner
  • Sources for Data on Social Determinants of Health Banner
  • Tools for Putting Social Determinants of Health into Action Banner
  • CDC Programs Addressing Social Determinants of Health Banner
  • Policy Options to Impact Social Determinants of Health Banner
  • Spotlight for New Resources Addressing Social Determinants of Health Banner

Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.1 These conditions are known as social determinants of health (SDOH).

We know that poverty limits access to healthy foods and safe neighborhoods and that more education is a predictor of better health.2,3,4 We also know that differences in health are striking in communities with poor SDOH such as unstable housing, low income, unsafe neighborhoods, or substandard education.5,6 By applying what we know about SDOH, we can not only improve individual and population health but also advance health equity.7,8 Healthy People 2020 highlights the importance of addressing SDOH by including “create social and physical environments that promote good health for all” as one of the four overarching goals for the decade. (See FAQs for reference materials .)

This website provides CDC resources for SDOH data, tools for action, programs, and policy. They may be used by people in public health, community organizations, and health care systems to assess SDOH and improve community well-being.

Spotlight: Healthy People 2020 Health Disparities Data Widget Application

The newly released Health Disparities Data Widget is a free data feature that displays health disparities information from DATA2020, the HealthyPeople.gov data search function. The application provides charts and graphs on health disparities information for measurable, population–based objectives where data are available. Use the widget to browse data by:

  • Disparity type—including disability, education, income, location, race and ethnicity, and sex
  • Leading Health Indicators of Healthy People 2020 objectives

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) partnered with the National Center for Health Statistics and Office of Minority Health to expand DATA2020 and create the health disparities data widget. Other organizations can embed the widget on their website giving users easy access to the latest available disparities data. Once the widget is added, the content will update automatically.

TOP