SDOH Linked To Higher U.S. Health Care Spending

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are linked to changes in average annual per-person health care expenditures for adults, but the effects varied by payer type. Of 10 SDOH variables related to education, health care access and quality, neighborhoods and the built environment, economic stability, and social and community context, seven variables had a significant effect on payer average annual per-person expenditures. Two variables had a significant effect on Medicaid, three others had a significant effect on Medicare, and two more had a significant effect on commercial insurance.

For this comparison, SDOH included 10 exposure variables: low income, educational . . .