One Size Does Not Fit All: The Impact and Role of Social Determinants of Health in Workplace Well-Being Programs

Determinants of health are social, economic and physical conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. They affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Social determinants (SDH) are also responsible for most of our health inequities. These unfair and avoidable differences in health status, seen within and between communities, regions and countries, are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. Employers have a major role in shaping the factors related to SDH -- both on individuals and their communities -- as well as an opportunity to expand their understanding of SDH in relation to the engagement and performance of their workforce human capital. Today, employers continue to explore ways to increase employee and spouse participation in health-related programs and services; however, they commonly overlook SDH factors as drivers in employee engagement. Greater insight into SDH issues for employees as well as the workplace can help to improve employee well-being, and ultimately, business outcomes. In this session, the presenters will provide an overview of their research regarding the significance of SDH factors in the workplace and explore in detail how SDH factors are overlooked and profoundly impact published research outcomes. Finally, the presenters will share their collective insights as to how to most meaningfully address and account for the role of SDH factors in health/well-being program outcomes.