How can health departments fulfill their charge to protect and advance the well-being of residents in their jurisdictions? Improving the conditions and systems that shape people’s lives — also known as social determinants of health (SDOH) — is fundamental to this work. By effectively exercising their legal authority to improve SDOH, health departments can make our communities safer and healthier for all residents.
Our new resource Understanding Legal Authority to Address Social Determinants of Health is designed to help state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments understand the sources and limits of their legal powers. This resource highlights successful examples of how health departments across the country have applied their legal authority to address SDOH and improve community conditions.
4/17/2024