Where Youth Live, Learn, and Play Matters: Tackling the Social Determinants of Health in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Abstract

The body of evidence supporting a relationship between the social determinants of health and adolescent sexual and reproductive health is vast. To advance health and have a greater impact on adolescent health outcomes, sexual and reproductive health practitioners need to take into account the relationships, community, and society within which adolescents live, learn, and play. With this review, we aim to provide practitioners with a clear understanding of the value of adopting a more comprehensive approach and we provide concrete recommendations for actualizing social determinants of health through programs and services. Recommendations are provided for each of the five social determinants of health categories outlined by Healthy People 2020, including Neighborhood and Built Environment, Economic Stability, Health and Healthcare, Social and Community Context, and Education.

Keywords:

• Reproductive Health
• Sexual Health
• Social Determinants
• Adolescent Sexual Health

Notes

1 Some examples include: R. Sadana and E. Blas (2013). What can public health programs do to improve health equity? Public Health Reports, 128(6_suppl3),): 12-20. World Health Organization. Health Impact Assessment. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006. Available at http://www.who.int/hia/en; National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; 2006. Health Impact Assessment: A Gateway. Available at http://www.publichealth. nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=HIAGateway; L.K. Brennan Ramirez, E.A. Baker, and M. Metzler Promoting Health Equity Resource to Help Communities Address Social Determinants of Health. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008.