Social determinants of health (SDOH), the “conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age,”^1,2 can affect health outcomes,^3-5 including mental, cognitive, and physical well-being.^6,7 Children are raised in neighborhoods with diverse SDOH profiles, including high poverty levels and unemployment; rural settings; limited access to quality health care, nutritious food, clean water, or educational opportunities; and increased exposure to crime and drug sales, and these SDOH are linked to an array of developmental problems, including mental health disorders,^7-12 suicidal behaviors,^13-15 cognitive performance,^6,7,16 and physical health issues.^10,17 Unraveling the complex relationships between SDOH and child development is crucial to understanding which SDOH combinations are associated with which developmental outcomes. Without such information, it is not possible to devise effective, targeted policies and interventions. [JAMA]

This study shows that an unbiased quantitative analysis of multidimensional SDOH can permit the determination of how SDOH patterns are associated with child developmental outcomes. Children exposed to socioeconomic deprivation showed the worst outcomes relative to other SDOH categories. These findings suggest the need to determine whether improvement in socioeconomic conditions can enhance child developmental outcomes. 

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See previous IOMC presentation with Dr. Matt Davis, MD, Lurie Children's Hospital and Northwestern Medicine here> 

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