For more than a decade, Cigna has worked to address and eliminate disparities in health care. Recently, we received our fourth Innovation in Advancing Health Equity Award from the National Business Group on Health.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions in the places where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These determinants generally show that:
- Poverty limits access to healthy foods and safe neighborhoods.
- The level of education is a predictor of better health.
- Differences in health are striking in communities with poor SDOH, such as unstable housing, low income, unsafe neighborhoods, or substandard education.
- By applying what we know about SDOH, we can improve individual and population health while also advancing health equity.

While there are many social determinants of health, the factors are commonly grouped into five main categories:
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