What is the Fifth Ward Social Determinants of Health Council?

The Fifth Ward Social Determinants of health (SDOH) Council is a recurring group of predominantly Fifth Ward residents (and their collaborators) who meet monthly to discuss the most resilient factors of the community and innovative solutions to address its biggest threats. Meetings include trainings in public health frameworks, presentations from residents about past projects, student-led restorative justice circles, and much more!

What are the Social Determinants of Health?

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Social determinants of health (SDOH) have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. They are often grouped in five domains (previous slide), and are sometimes referred to as "non-medical drivers of health."

Examples of SDOH include:

• Safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods

• Racism, discrimination, and violence

• Education, job opportunities, and income

• Access to nutritious foods and physical activity opportunities

• Polluted air and water

• Language and literacy skills