How to Discuss Social Determinants of Health in Policy Assignments for NURS-6050N → Framing policy issues from a health equity perspective 🧠 Why Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Matter in Policy Work

In NURS-6050N, you’re learning how nurses can impact healthcare beyond the bedside. One of the most powerful ways to do that is by addressing the root causes of poor health—also known as Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).

SDOH are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, including:

• Income and poverty

• Education access and quality

• Neighborhood and built environment

• Access to healthcare

• Social and community context

• Employment and working conditions

Framing your policy discussions through SDOH shows that you understand how systemic issues drive disparities and how nursing advocacy can shape more equitable outcomes.

🧱 How to Frame Policy Assignments Using SDOH

✅ 1. Start with the Health Disparity

Begin your assignment by identifying a population affected by a specific health disparity.

Example: “Black maternal mortality rates are 2–3 times higher than those of white women in the United States.”

✅ 2. Link the Disparity to a Social Determinant

Show how one or more SDOH are contributing to the issue.

Example: “Systemic racism in healthcare, implicit bias, and lack of access to quality prenatal care contribute to this disparity.”

✅ 3. Present a Policy Solution That Targets the Root Cause

Propose a legislative or organizational change that addresses the social or structural issue—not just the symptom.

Example: “Implement mandatory implicit bias training and expand Medicaid coverage for prenatal services in underserved communities.”

✅ 4. Use Evidence-Based Data and Language

Include peer-reviewed studies, CDC/WHO data, or health equity reports to back your argument.

🧭 Tips for Applying the Health Equity Lens

🔹 Highlight Marginalized Communities
Describe how the policy affects groups facing barriers due to race, socioeconomic status, disability, or geography.

🔹 Use Terms Like “Structural Determinants” and “Systemic Barriers”
This shows you’re thinking critically about root causes.

🔹 Reference National Frameworks

• Healthy People 2030

• The Future of Nursing 2020–2030

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Health Equity Work

✍️ Sample Language for Policy Assignments

• “This policy proposal addresses a core social determinant of health—educational access—which directly influences health literacy and care engagement.”

• “Low-income neighborhoods often lack access to nutritious foods, leading to chronic disease disparities that this bill seeks to reduce.”

• “A health equity approach ensures the policy does not perpetuate existing disparities but instead promotes fair access and outcomes.”

📘 Use These Sources in Your SDOH Policy Assignments

• CDC SDOH Resource Page

• Healthy People 2030: SDOH Objectives

• Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): Health Disparities Reports

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Health Equity Research

🎓 In Summary

Nursing policy work isn’t just about healthcare delivery—it’s about equity, justice, and prevention at the societal level. By integrating SDOH into your NURS-6050N assignments, you demonstrate the depth of your understanding and your readiness to lead as a nurse advocate.