Social determinants of health are the nonmedical factors that influence the health of a community. They include factors such as economic stability or instability, access to education, quality of education, access to healthcare, quality of healthcare, racism, political systems, and social and community environments. In this discussion, you and your peers will consider the social determinants impacting the health of your communities
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NUR 306 4-1 Disc Health in your Community – Social determinants of health
Health in My Community
In Oneonta, NY, there are various social determinants of health, such as economic steadiness, access and quality of education, access to healthcare, and community support structures. Although the city has the advantage of institutions such as SUNY Oneonta, disparities still exist, particularly for low-income individuals and rural communities. Housing instability and constraints, and a substantial level of poverty, still strain economic stability in sections of the population (Miller, 2025).
These social determinants have a profound impact on health results. People with fewer financial resources will delay medical care or forego needed therapies because of cost or a lack of available healthcare providers. When people have an impoverished educational background within a community, their literacy in matters of health may be affected substantially, leading them to grapple with managing their illnesses, reading their insurance forms, and prescriptions (Shahid et al., 2022). Further, mental health issues among older people is affected by social isolation and may also hinder ingress to timely interventions.
Today, telehealth continues to become popular in many states, and New York has not been left behind. It has assisted the residents of Oneonta in closing some of the challenges mentioned above. For instance, people within this region can access and get specialty and primary care services through the Bassett Healthcare Network’s MyBasset Health Connection (Bassett Healthcare Network). Notably, telehealth or the use of the suggested network for virtual visits is convenient, and it reduces the mobility issues, primarily among older adults and people living in relatively rural areas such as Otsego, allowing care continuity. Even with the growth of telehealth, issues such as literacy linked to technology, access to digital gadgets, and unstable internet coverage continue to be barriers.
Collaboration between institutions like, Otsego County Department of Health and Family Planning of South-Central New York is essential to improve ingress and consciousness to data. Healthcare workshops or education aimed at improving digital literacy may be performed by these institutions to address issues linked to nutrition and mental health. Notably, to reach everyone, primarily the young people, the mentioned institutions can partner with local schools NUR 306 4-1 Disc Health in your Community – Social determinants of health.
References
Bassett Healthcare Network. (n.d.). Telehealth . https://www.bassett.org/services/telehealth#:~:text=Many
Miller, C. (2025, March 13). Community leaders: Lack of affordable housing a barrier for homelessness . All Otsego. https://www.allotsego.com/community-leaders-lack-of-affordable-housing-a-barrier-for-homelessness/
Shahid, R., Shoker, M., Chu, L. M., Frehlick, R., Ward, H., & Pahwa, P. (2022). Impact of low health literacy on patients’ health outcomes: A multicenter cohort study. BMC Health Services Research , 22 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08527-9 NUR 306 4-1 Disc Health in your Community – Social determinants of health
