Integrating the ‘political determinants’ into health and social policy

By Dennis Archambault

The author Daniel Dawes, in his book The Political Determinants of Health, argues that there is a layer of influence over what has been known as the “social determinants of health,” or social drivers that influences the health of individuals and populations. Policy formation from local advocacy and academic think tanks to the legislative process and policy decisions positively and negatively impact health from national to local levels.

The City of Dearborn has piloted a health in all policies approach to governance, which it defines as “a collaborative practice that integrates and articulates health considerations into policymaking.” It is believed to be the only city in Michigan that has integrated health in all policies in its administrative decisions. Kent County, which encompasses Grand Rapids, has an extensive health in all policies program in place.

The State of Michigan, in its communication regarding Social Determinants of Health Month, noted that health is about more than one’s relationship with their health provider and personal health maintenance, but it’s about the natural and built environment, availability of food and its quality, education and its impact on health literacy, transportation social justice, among others.
“We integrate health into all policy decisions through Michigan’s Phase III Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Strategy, focusing on key domains like housing, food access, and transportation,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services noted in a recent social media post. Specifically, the department noted:

Good Housing = Good Health Program: Stable housing leads to better health outcomes, reducing disparities in our communities. We’ve improved housing for over 8,200 households, helping nearly 2,740 families with stabilization services.

Food Delivery Program: Our 4-year pilot that addresses the barriers to accessing food by bridging transportation and food in Kent and Wayne counties so that residents have nutritious food delivered right to their doorsteps.

To learn more about the Social Determinants of Health Strategy, visit Michigan.gov/SDOH.

Dennis Archambault is Vice President of Public Affairs for Authority Health.