What Are the Social/Cultural Determinants?

Sunday, June 27, at 2:55 p.m. ET

Q&A with Leonard E. Egede, MD, MS

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What is your presentation about?
During this presentation I will discuss the historical basis for health disparities and the role of structural racism on the disparities in health outcomes we see today. I will also cover the role of social determinants of health on health outcomes and the intersection of social risk with medical risk in populations with high disparities in diabetes outcomes. Finally, I will cover a number of innovative and exciting interventions currently underway which directly incorporate social determinants in an effort to inform the way we care for adults with type 2 diabetes.

What makes this topic important in 2021?
Disparities in COVID-19 infections and deaths brought to the forefront what a history of marginalization and discrimination against Black Americans — including 250 years of slavery, 100 years of Jim Crow, and underlying structural racism — have done to the health of a segment of the United States population. Given the tragic effects of the convergence of racism, social risk, and disease on the U.S. population, this presentation is focused on how to respond and influence change that can eliminate these effects for future generations.

Which subset of attendees shouldn’t miss this presentation?
This presentation will be helpful for clinicians who are interested in understanding why and how taking social determinants and social risks into account in the care of their patients is important. It will also be informative for educators working on expanding topics covered in diabetes education programs, policymakers interested in how what we are learning can inform policy change efforts, and researchers focused on conducting interventions incorporating social determinants of health.

What else should Scientific Sessions attendees know about your presentation?
Social determinants play a significant role in diabetes outcomes, particularly socioeconomic status, psychosocial factors, and the built environment. Interventions that take these factors into account are feasible and likely to be effective. This presentation will provide insight on incorporating social determinants into care plans, pushing the envelope in the scope and size of future research studies, and informing policy that addresses health disparities.