Health Systems Strengthening Practice Spotlight: Applying a Social Determinants of Health Lens to Improve Outcomes

This brief introduces the social determinants of health (SDOH) concept and terminology, and discusses approaches to addressing SDOH. Understanding these root causes of health inequities and their impact on health care access, quality, and equity is crucial to strengthening health systems. Applying an SDOH lens enables decision makers to implement policies and strategies to minimize the harmful effects of SDOH. Using an SDOH lens can also shift the focus towards more holistic, people-centered, and life-course-oriented approaches. The brief includes examples of how SDOH-related interventions successfully improved maternal and child health services, and discusses the importance of paying close attention to SDOH in developing equitable climate-resilient health systems.