Social Determinants of Health That Affected Covid-19 Outcomes

Abstract

The covid-19 pandemic has exposed the longstanding structural drivers of health inequities, such as race, economic disparities, and housing insecurities. These important determinants of health have interlinked with other factors during covid-19 to exacerbate existing social vulnerabilities in society. People from racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by lack of access to quality health care which leads to inequities in treatment. People from lower incomes, experience challenges that make managing expenses, paying medical bills, accessing nutritious food, and reliable childcare difficult. Some groups are disproportionately affected by difficulties finding affordable and quality housing. This may limit their housing options to neighborhoods and residences with crowded conditions. These conditions are often time family members of many generations living in one household which can lead to exposure of older adults to illnesses and diseases. This research discusses how these determinants may increase risk of COVID-19 exposure, leading to hospitalization, long-term health issues, social consequences, and death.