What are Social Determinants of Health?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, worship, and age. These conditions include a wide set of forces and systems that shape daily life, such as economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems.”

Visit the CDC’s website to learn more: Why is addressing SDOH so important?

Social Determinants of Health Screening and Referral Toolkit

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Toolkit, developed by a Taskforce comprised of stakeholders from across Pennsylvania under the guidance and leadership of Health Promotion Council (HPC), PHMC Research and Evaluation Group and the Pennsylvania Department of Health is a suite of resources for public health professionals at all levels to support the implementation of SDOH screenings and referrals for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs) within their organization.

Why Use This Toolkit?

According to the CDC, the SDOH have a greater influence on health than either genetic factors or access to healthcare services. Addressing the SDOH improves behavioral, clinical, and social outcomes and ensures individuals have access to resources. The toolkit makes it easy to locate tools and resources to integrate SDOH screenings into organizational workflows to improve social, behavioral, and clinical outcomes and ensure patients and individuals served have access to the services and support they need to thrive.


What's Inside?

The buttons below are labeled by organization type and role. Each button downloads a document containing relevant resources. This toolkit will guide readers through best practices for implementing SDOH screenings and referrals in your area of operations.

If there are additional resources that would further assist SDOH implementation within organizations that you would like to request or provide, you can submit that information below.

SDOH resources are divided by clinical, community-based, and pharmacy settings. Additionally, within each setting, various resources are provided for National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) providers and Other Diabetes Workforce members, including Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Providers, Community Health Workers, and Certified Diabetes Educators

SDOH Resources

Clinical Settings:

Use the resources below if you are performing SDOH screenings and referrals within a clinical setting (i.e. hospital, primary care provider, FQHC, etc.).

National DPP Providers
Other Diabetes Workforce

Community Based Organizations:

Use the resources below if you are performing SDOH screenings and referrals within a community-based setting (i.e. community-based organization (CBO), senior center, social service agency etc.).

National DPP Providers
Other Diabetes Workforce

Pharmacies:

Use the resources below if you are performing SDOH screenings and referrals within a pharmacy setting.

National DPP Providers
Other Diabetes Workforce

Do you have a SDOH resource that would improve the toolkit?

Suggest a resource

Is there a specific type of resource that you need but don’t see available?

Request a Resource

What brings you to the toolkit?

Tell us more about you

 Contact us.

  • Toolkit Disclaimer

    This toolkit is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) as part of a cooperative agreement, A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes (CDC-RFA-DP-23-0020). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, PA DOH or the U.S. Government.