Literature Review Report: Social Determinants of Health - ENL0079

This report presents a literature review focusing on the social determinants of health, drawing from various studies to examine their impact on health outcomes. The review synthesizes research on topics such as how socioeconomic status affects patient perceptions of healthcare, the role of social determinants in health, and the correlation between income inequality and health outcomes. Key findings include the impact of income on health, the influence of social determinants on health disparities, and the relationship between income inequality and individual behavioral, physical, and mental health. The review encompasses a range of methodologies, including cross-sectional surveys, systematic reviews, and empirical analyses, to provide a comprehensive understanding of these complex relationships. The studies analyzed explore the effects of income on health outcomes, including obesity and life expectancy, highlighting the significance of social factors in shaping health and well-being. This review also includes the analysis of how social determinants affect healthcare access and outcomes.

Authors Focus of study Research design Sample methods Results
Arpey, N. C., Gaglioti, A.
H., & Rosenbaum, M.
low SES patients perceive
clinician bias might affect
their health care
Cross sectional survey 80 enrollees In-depth interviews SES affected their health care
Daniel, H., Bornstein, S.
S., & Kane, G. C
role of social determinants
in health
Systematic review Various studies Thematic analsyis screening is essential in
identifying social determinants
of health
Matthew, P., &
Brodersen, D. M.
correlation between income
inequality, and individual
behavioral, physical, and
mental health outcomes
An empirical analysis Various studies Systematic review income inequality was found
to have significant
relationships with behavioral,
physical, and mental health
outcomes,
Lenhart, O. relationship between
income and health by using
an expansion of the Earned
Income Tax Credit
An empirical analysis Various studies Thematic analysis income improves the
likelihood of health outomces
Kim, T. J., & von dem
Knesebeck, O.
lower income association
with and obesity reverse
causality
Systematic review and
meta-analysis
21 studies
Logistic regression
Cochran’s Q test and
Higgin’s
Egger’s regression test
consistent evidence for
reverse causality
Truesdale, B. C., &
Jencks, C
association of income
inequality with average life
expectancy
Systematic review
Various studies
Thematic analysis indirect slope effects leading
to increase in disparities in
longevity independent of
mean longevity
Snyder, J., Cheff, R., &
Roche, B
social
determinants of health that
align with Wellesley
Institute’s strategic
priorities
scoping review 15 articles Article reviews social determinants affects
health
Benzeval, M., Bond, L.,
Campbell, M., Egan, M.,
Lorenc, T., Petticrew,
M., & Popham, F.
how income influences
health
Systematic reviews 72 wide-ranging
papers
Thematic analysis Material, Psychosocial
Behavioural
Reverse causation
All affect people well being

Arpey, N. C., Gaglioti, A. H., & Rosenbaum, M. E. (2017). How socioeconomic status affects patient perceptions of health care: a qualitative study. Journal of
primary care & community health, 8(3), 169-175.
Benzeval, M., Bond, L., Campbell, M., Egan, M., Lorenc, T., Petticrew, M., & Popham, F. (2014). How does money influence health?.
Daniel, H., Bornstein, S. S., & Kane, G. C. (2018). Addressing social determinants to improve patient care and promote health equity: an American College of
Physicians position paper. Annals of internal medicine, 168(8), 577-578.
Kim, T. J., & von dem Knesebeck, O. (2018). Income and obesity: what is the direction of the relationship? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open,
8(1), e019862.
Lenhart, O. (2019). The effects of income on health: new evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit. Review of Economics of the Household, 17(2), 377-
410.
Matthew, P., & Brodersen, D. M. (2018). Income inequality and health outcomes in the United States: An empirical analysis. The Social Science Journal,
55(4), 432-442.
Snyder, J., Cheff, R., & Roche, B. (2016). Perceptions of the social determinants of health across Canada. Wellesley Institute.
Truesdale, B. C., & Jencks, C. (2016). The health effects of income inequality: averages and disparities. Annual Review of Public Health, 37.