Social Determinants of health are informative (and sometimes predictive) factors that can sway a person’s overall health. This article aims to explore the intersection of community paramedicine and social determinants of health, as well as how mobile integrated healthcare works to level the healthcare landscape.
Social determinants of health refer to innate social and environmental characteristics that can predict a person’s health outcomes. For example, individuals living in a safe neighborhood with healthy air quality are less likely to experience negative health events than those residing in a hazardous area with high air pollution. Community paramedicine aims to support individuals who face numerous social challenges, providing them with opportunities to mitigate some inherent risks.
How Do Social Determinants of Health Impact Community Paramedicine?
Community paramedicine considers social determinants of health when delivering care to the community. For example, a community that lives in a relatively rural area with little access to regular
healthcare will need to be treated in a way that varies from those who may have plenty of resources available.
Below, we outline some of the most common social determinants of health and how mobile integrated healthcare-community paramedicine (MIH-CP) helps individuals overcome them.
Here is what we will cover regarding community paramedicine and social determinants of health:
- Underserved Urban Areas
- Rural Areas with Little Access to Healthcare
- People Living in Polluted Areas
- Social Determinants of Health for Those in Areas of High Crime
- Lack of Primary Care Providers
- Loneliness and Lack of Social Support
Note: Social determinants of health are based on risks and percentages and should not be construed as concrete. Many people have overcome the disadvantages placed in their way. The benefit of understanding social determinants of health is in understanding what has happened in the past and what could happen in the future.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: Underserved Urban Areas
Those who live in urban areas are not always as close to healthcare as you might think. In many large cities, there are areas that have been underdeveloped and left behind in terms of healthcare. The reasons are many: there may be a lack of funding in those areas, or the health clinics struggle to be reimbursed for the services they provide.
Or it could be that there is high crime in the area, and the clinics and physicians don’t feel safe working in that environment. Furthermore, an area may be in decline due to high unemployment and a high cost of living.
Regardless of the reasons, community paramedicine seeks to help those in underserved urban areas. How does MIH-CP make a difference? A few ways. First, by identifying the areas and services within each area that are most in need.
In some situations, people might need better access to primary care due to many uncontrolled chronic diseases. In other places, the community would benefit from more resources to combat addiction or homelessness. Whatever the need, MIH tries to fill the hole with whatever they have.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: Rural Areas with Little Access to Healthcare
It’s not just urban areas that struggle with a lack of access to healthcare; rural areas face numerous hurdles as well. While urban areas have many factors (often complexities) that contribute to a lack of care, in rural areas, the situation is much more straightforward: there are fewer people, and they are all spread out.
Not, you might think: “But of course, if there are fewer people, a lack of healthcare is just the nature of living in a rural area.” This might be oversimplifying it. Certainly, no one is suggesting that an entire hospital be built and staffed just to serve a few people – this would be patently unsustainable. However, it’s a mistake to dismiss the barriers to care for people who live in rural areas.
Here’s why. Consider a town of 30,000. Now, this town of people might be spread out over four or five square miles. They have hospitals, clinics, and all the general healthcare they need.
Now, consider another town of 30,000 people. However, this town is spread out over fifty miles. Because these people are spread out, it gives the illusion that fewer people need help. But there are!
And that’s where the trouble begins. Thirty thousand people in a rural area may all travel to different towns for their basic needs, and that makes it difficult for a traditional healthcare organization to reach them. This is why Mobile Integrated Health is an excellent option for these individuals. MIH can travel to them, enroll the people who need the services the most, and follow up with the most complicated situations.
Now, let’s discuss some more specific social determinants of health.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: People Living in Polluted Areas
Some people live in areas with low-quality air. These areas can be polluted for several reasons, including factories, vehicles, and mills. In these areas, some people are more likely to demonstrate chronic lung diseases, such as COPD. There are some areas that may predispose people to a greater risk of cancer.
How can community paramedicine help? Well, there is not always a ton that MIH-CP can do in these cases, but they are not totally helpless. First, they can make community members aware of the dangers, and at least help them to solve some of the issue by educating them on when to remain indoors, how to install an air filter in their home, and when it might be a good time to relocate (should they have a condition that is worsening).
Sometimes, raising awareness about these situations can go a long way toward keeping people safe.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: Social Determinants of Health for Those in Areas of High Crime
In those areas of high crime, people are more likely to experience injury or have their personal lives impacted by theft or violence. In an area of high crime, it can be easy for people to become sucked into drug use and other illicit activities. Not only that, but many people’s social lives are negatively impacted by areas of high crime.
Community paramedic programs categorize the patients they serve more specifically. When it comes to high crime, they can use this information to help prepare. They may be able to refer people struggling with addiction to a crisis response team or a rehabilitation facility. They may also be able to help those who are vulnerable to crimes secure their homes and educate them on how to call for help in an emergency.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: Lack of Primary Care Providers
Many people would like to have a good primary care physician if they had the choice. Sadly, many people don’t have the option. In some areas, primary care physicians are scarce. It has become so bad that some areas offer incentives for physicians to relocate there after completing their residency. It could be that the areas offer to help the physician pay for medical school in exchange for several years of service in an underserved community.
Mobile Integrated Health-Community Paramedic programs also look to help these underserved areas. When people go without access to primary care, their health often suffers. Not only that, but if they already have a chronic disease, they may see a decline without regular check-ups and care.
Lack of primary care is a social determinant of health that can predict certain health conditions, such as congestive heart failure or falls. Community paramedics aim to fill the gap in support that often occurs when an area transitions to primary care.
Navigating Social Determinants of Health: Loneliness and Lack of Social Support
Another social determinant of health is a lack of family support. When you have a family who looks out for you, checks in on you, and is available to drive you to medical appointments, that’s a real asset that has a tangible impact on health.
People who lack that social support often suffer in more ways than might be initially apparent. These people usually have high rates of depression and may have a harder time coping with chronic diseases or behavioral issues. Community paramedicine teams can help connect these individuals with resources that can assist them, such as dialing 988 for mental health support.
Key Points: Can Community Paramedicine Create More Health Equity?
Community Paramedic Programs navigate many social determinants of health, working to document them so that they receive the person’s full health picture, and then collaborate with community partners (EMS, hospitals, mental health professionals) to help people overcome these challenges.
Community paramedicine will reach out to underserved urban areas, while also branching into rural settings. MIH-CP can help people who live in challenging environments, such as those with high crime or pollution, and provide them with a springboard to find freedom. While community paramedicine might seem like it tries to do it all, it doesn’t try to do it all alone. Collaboration and community involvement are key to navigating various determinants of health.
Contact Julota to learn how their interoperable platform enables community paramedics to track, manage, and safely share information on social determinants of health.