New WHO data highlights need to address social drivers of health

A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shines a light on a critical reality facing global healthcare: Where people are born, grow, live, work and age often determine their health outcomes more than genetics or even medical care.

The World Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity reveals some startling numbers about the global health divide. According to the report, the difference in life expectancy between high-income and low-income countries was up to 33 years. And social factors are responsible for at least 50% of health outcomes and health inequities worldwide. These figures show why industry leaders, regulators and payers are focusing more on what we now call social drivers of health. 

The scale of the disparity 

The data paints a stark picture of inequality. According to the report, the adult mortality rate in low-income countries is more than double that of high-income nations. Environmental factors play a major role: about 99% of the global population breathes air that exceeds WHO air quality limits. 

Structural determinants — like governing processes, economic policies and institutional practices — create barriers that affect different groups of people within the same country. Historical and systemic racism continues to fuel health inequity, hitting low-income communities and communities of color the hardest.  

For Indigenous populations, the gaps are particularly severe. The report notes life expectancy gaps ranging from 10 to more than 20 years between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. 

Solutions for community services 

While these challenges are big, the solutions often start with individuals on the front lines of care. Social workers have long been champions for addressing these socioeconomic factors. Now, they are joined by a wider team of community health workers, patient advocates and care navigators — even while facing the dual pressures of funding cuts and a growing demand for their services. 

Our part in the path forward: Data and documentation

Solving these systemic issues starts with seeing the problems more clearly. To build a more equitable future, we need to capture a person’s whole story, not just their diagnosis. 

This process begins with better documentation. Health systems can shift their focus from diagnosis alone to assessing a patient’s environment and functional needs. This approach helps create a more complete picture of a person's life and health. By using coding systems to measure and analyze this data, organizations can better direct resources to meet the needs of their communities. 

Social workers and community health workers will continue to be instrumental in this work. They connect patients to vital resources and help build a healthier, more equitable future. It’s through this blend of compassion, data and dedicated action that we can begin to close the health equity gap. 

Explore more perspective from two experts in this blog post from our health information & technology team: Advancing health equity: Contemporary perspectives on social and structural determinants of health.