Nonmedical factors can have an impact on health<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNonmedical questions like the ones above are part of screenings that major health organizations1<\/sup> now recommend and many providers have adopted. The depth of importance these screenings have is monumental, exposing factors called social determinants of health (SDOH) that can make people more vulnerable to poor mental and physical health.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImportantly, when providers screen, they can identify and help patients access resources to help fill gaps discovered in the screening. One such resource is Blue KC\u2019s Community Support Tool<\/strong><\/a>, which connects people to free and low-cost social services in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBlue KC believes social determinants of health have a powerful impact on mental and physical health. That\u2019s why we, too, screen and use what we learn to develop services and programs that benefit members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do this, Blue KC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Collects demographic information<\/strong><\/a> on the Blue KC member portal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Surveys members for SDOH on the Blue KC Care Management app<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offers a SDOH survey through employers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
We do this confidentially to support member whole health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get to know social determinants that affect mental health<\/strong>2<\/sup><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSocial determinants of mental health can impact income, employment, education, food security, housing, social support, and the ability to access acceptable and affordable health care. They include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Socioeconomic disadvantage <\/strong>\u2013 Living in unfavorable social and economic conditions can impact peoples\u2019 access to employment, income, education, food, and housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEarly life adversity<\/strong> \u2013 Prenatal and perinatal conditions \u2013 such as maternal stress related to finances and relationships, obstetric complications, and malnutrition \u2013 can have big impacts on mental health years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChildhood adversity<\/strong> \u2013 This encompasses child maltreatment (e.g. abuse) and household dysfunction (e.g. substance use, divorce). One study3<\/sup> found childhood adversity associated with a four- to 12-fold increased risk of depression, suicide attempt, and substance use later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMigration<\/strong> \u2013 Refugees and asylum seekers may have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEthnoracial discrimination <\/strong>\u2013 Experiences such as interpersonal racism, exclusion from employment, and police harassment have been associated with emotional distress and poor mental health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMarginalization of the LGBTQ+ community<\/strong> \u2013 Discrimination, stigma, anti-LGBTQIA+ policies, bullying, and other violence puts members of this community at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGender inequality and gendered differences<\/strong> \u2013 This complex determinant accounts for the prevalence of certain psychiatric disorders in men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLoneliness and social isolation<\/strong> \u2013 This determinant and its association with depression has been the subject of many studies. One study5<\/sup> estimated that 11-18% of depression cases could potentially be prevented if loneliness were eliminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeedback matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBlue KC members can make a difference \u2013 for their health and that of others \u2013 by sharing their information. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Demographic information<\/strong> \u2013 MyBlueKC.com<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Social determinants of health information<\/strong> \u2013 Connect to a Blue KC Care Team member and the social determinants of health survey on the Blue KC Care Management app. Download it using the QR code below or at the App Store<\/strong><\/a> or Google Play<\/strong><\/a>. When prompted use access code kcbluewelcome<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/Care-mgmt-app-qr.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n1 <\/sup>National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n2<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The Social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n3<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n4<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review and meta-analysis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n5<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The association between loneliness and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older: a 12\u2010year population\u2010based cohort study.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWas this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t
Importantly, when providers screen, they can identify and help patients access resources to help fill gaps discovered in the screening. One such resource is Blue KC\u2019s Community Support Tool<\/strong><\/a>, which connects people to free and low-cost social services in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue KC believes social determinants of health have a powerful impact on mental and physical health. That\u2019s why we, too, screen and use what we learn to develop services and programs that benefit members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, Blue KC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We do this confidentially to support member whole health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social determinants of mental health can impact income, employment, education, food security, housing, social support, and the ability to access acceptable and affordable health care. They include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Socioeconomic disadvantage <\/strong>\u2013 Living in unfavorable social and economic conditions can impact peoples\u2019 access to employment, income, education, food, and housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early life adversity<\/strong> \u2013 Prenatal and perinatal conditions \u2013 such as maternal stress related to finances and relationships, obstetric complications, and malnutrition \u2013 can have big impacts on mental health years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Childhood adversity<\/strong> \u2013 This encompasses child maltreatment (e.g. abuse) and household dysfunction (e.g. substance use, divorce). One study3<\/sup> found childhood adversity associated with a four- to 12-fold increased risk of depression, suicide attempt, and substance use later in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Migration<\/strong> \u2013 Refugees and asylum seekers may have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder than the general population4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ethnoracial discrimination <\/strong>\u2013 Experiences such as interpersonal racism, exclusion from employment, and police harassment have been associated with emotional distress and poor mental health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community<\/strong> \u2013 Discrimination, stigma, anti-LGBTQIA+ policies, bullying, and other violence puts members of this community at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gender inequality and gendered differences<\/strong> \u2013 This complex determinant accounts for the prevalence of certain psychiatric disorders in men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loneliness and social isolation<\/strong> \u2013 This determinant and its association with depression has been the subject of many studies. One study5<\/sup> estimated that 11-18% of depression cases could potentially be prevented if loneliness were eliminated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue KC members can make a difference \u2013 for their health and that of others \u2013 by sharing their information. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 <\/sup>National Academy of Medicine (NAM), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The Social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review and meta-analysis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/sup>National Library of Medicine, The association between loneliness and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older: a 12\u2010year population\u2010based cohort study.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\r\n\t\t\t\n
Get to know social determinants that affect mental health<\/strong>2<\/sup><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feedback matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWas this helpful?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t