Addressing The Health Needs of The Whole Person
Addressing The Health Needs of The Whole Person ( NewsUSA ) – Social, economic and environmental factors play a key role in people’s health – where they live, learn work, and play. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of wealth, power and resources at global, national and local levels.Identifying these so-called "social determinants of health" helps doctors determine the root causes of their patients’ medical conditions and is critical to improving whole-person health. The Physicians Foundation found that nearly 90 percent of doctors have patients whose health is affected by these key factors.1Below are some examples to illustrate how social factors can affect you and your health:* Loneliness and social isolation. More than a quarter of the U.S. population live alone. Loneliness and social isolation are associated with increased mortality and poor health outcomes. Identifying individuals at risk for these factors allows doctors to recommend prevention and c...