(PO-138) Incorporating Social Determinants of Health Into “Writing to Learn” Assignments

Author: Jennifer S. Sherry, RDH, M.S.Ed. – Associate Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Submitter: Jennifer S. Sherry, RDH, M.S.Ed. – Associate Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Objectives: Healthy People 2030 objectives and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) have been updated by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Each of the five domains has the potential to affect communities’ quality of life. Health inequities were discovered in many population groups across the country. Public health stakeholders should assist in developing strategies to help decrease local, state, and national disparities.

Methods: Twenty-four students from the Community Oral Health course at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Dental Hygiene program performed a “Writing to Learn” assignment and selected one area of interest from SDOH and how it linked to family or community members. Students explained the importance of exceeding SDOH objectives and if goal percentages should be adjusted.

Methods: Mixed methods were used to gather information from student’s writing assignments. The SDOH domains were selected by students and results showed Health Care Access and Quality (33.3%); Education Access and Quality (25%); Economic Stability (25%); and Social and Community Context (16.7%). Common themes from assignments discovered lack of access to health care, lack of financial stability, lack of knowledge provided in educational institutions, and lack of citizenship.

Conclusion: This assignment produced valuable reflections and students learned practical information from this activity. Many communities are still struggling with lack of access to quality health care, racial/ethnic inequalities, low health literacy, and no insurance. Inequalities can create adverse health outcomes and increased mortality rates. Students gained new knowledge and could be part of a solution to improve health services within their communities when they graduate.