Social Determinants of Health for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adolescents

Social determinants of health, defined as the conditions in which youth grow and develop, strongly influence health outcomes for youth from racially and ethnically diverse communities and contribute to health disparities. Five broad categories of social determinants within which youth may experience structural and interpersonal racism provide a helpful framework for conceptualizing their influence: health and health care, economic stability, neighborhood and built environment, education, and social and community context. Clinicians can play an active role in identifying and addressing these determinants of health through systematic assessments and the innovative application of data, building partnerships with other providers and community organizations, and advocacy for programs and policies targeting social determinants.