What are Social Drivers of Health?

When we think about health, we often focus on medical factors like doctors’ visits and medications. And those are really important! But think about this: if someone struggles to find healthy food or safe housing, their health can be affected – no matter how great their medical care is.

Our health is also shaped by the world around us – where we live, work, and grow. These nonmedical factors are called social drivers of health (sometimes called social determinants of health), and they have a huge impact on our overall well-being. To put it in perspective, the life expectancy in Scottsdale is 85, while it’s 71 in South Phoenix, only 13 miles away.

Let’s look at three key examples of social drivers of health.

1. Access to healthy food. Eating nutritious meals is essential for good health, but for many people, fresh food isn’t easy to come by. Some communities have more fast-food chains than grocery stores. In areas known as food deserts, people have limited access to affordable, healthy options like fruits and veggies, because grocery stores are too far away.
2. Stable housing. Having a safe place to live is fundamental to good health. But when people face housing insecurity - whether due to high rent, unsafe conditions, or homelessness – it can lead to stress, poor mental health, and a higher risk of chronic illness.
3. Reliable transportation. Getting to medical appointments, the grocery store, or work often depends on reliable transportation. When public transit is limited or a personal car isn’t an option, it can create barriers to getting essential care and meeting basic needs.

How AZ Blue is making a difference

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, our Medicaid team, meets members where they are, addressing needs like food insecurity. In 2024, Health Choice partnered with Flagstaff Family Food Center to host food distribution events in Apache and Navajo counties, connecting hundreds of community members to healthy food. More to come this year!

Also, the AZ Blue Foundation funds organizations that address social drivers of health. In 2024, the Foundation helped provide:

• Nearly a million nutrition services, like food boxes and meal programs.
• Thousands of housing services, like shelter support.
• Hundreds of transportation services, like rides to medical appointments.

AZ Blue employees volunteer all over the state to advance health equity. Check out our latest volunteer opportunity with Keys to Change – you can get involved too!

Learn how: Keys to Change (Arizona) | formerly Human Services Campus, LLC (Phoenix).