Hospitals see value in addressing social determinants of health to improve the well-being of their communities.

A concept known as social determinants of health, defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “conditions in the places where people live, learn, work and play [that] affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes,” is becoming a vital part of mainstream health care. But to achieve sustainable success in addressing Social determinants of health, experts say health systems need to alter the way they view their role in improving the health of their communities.