You may have heard the term before, but what exactly are “social determinants of health”?
They include the following:
- Healthcare access & quality
- Education access & quality
- Social & community context
- Economic stability
- Neighborhood & built environment
They are, in essence, where we are born and raised, where we live and work, and the environment in which we age.
By having a steady job, employees can afford things like housing and food for their families. Most employees are also covered by the company’s insurance plans and are even monitored to be certain they are affordable according to ACA guidelines. Not just the medical coverage but the entire benefits package, including sick pay, leave coverage, vacation time, 401K plans, etc., contribute to an employee’s overall well-being, both physical & mental. Companies also must provide employees with workers' compensation coverage, which keeps them safe at work and helps when something occurs on the job. Most employers provide these basics, but how do we move beyond “basic” resources? Reaching out to the contacts below is a great way to start!
To find out what specific programs and tools your carrier offers, contact Blue Shield at https://www.bcbs.com/ or California: www.blueshieldca.com. General line: 1.866.346.7198 or refer to the phone number on your ID card. Here is a direct link to Blue Shield’s lifestyle programs: www.wellvolution.com
There are many other ways to positively impact your health and well-being. To learn more, you can visit the CDC and National Institutes of Health websites or reach out to me, and I can connect you with our Director of Wellbeing, Jennifer Green.
If you'd like to learn more, please contact me at:
Lisa Prentice, CSFS, GBDS, VBS, ABCC
Senior Client Executive
lprentice@venbrook.com
949.698.0818
