The Application of Social Determinants of Health to Rehabilitation Medicine Research and Practice

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the environment where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, that are associated with health outcomes. These SDOH relationships are often more notable for people with disabilities. This symposium, led by Louise Palmer and Raeda Anderson, researchers and sociologists at Shepherd Center, will provide attendees with knowledge on what SDOH are, how SDOH affect people with disabilities, and how to integrate SDOH into research and practice. The symposium will also showcase work from the following experts: • Hollie Schmidt, Dianne Pinckney, Kyle Shrivastava, Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Research, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (RIDE) Council, partnering with racial and ethnic minorities in MS research • Jeffrey Lentz: Emory University, stress and sexual and gender minorities with disabilities • James Krause, Melinda Jarnecke: Medical University of South Carolina, the importance of employment for people with disabilities