Social Determinants of Health
The Polk County Health Department conducted a series of discussions within our organization about the impact of social determinants of health in our community. In addition, we reached out to our community partners for their input about how they perceive that social and environmental determinants affect the lives of their clients and the people in our community.
As a product of these conversations, the Polk County Health Department produced a video that portrays the impact of social and environmental determinants in Polk County. The determinants that are discussed in this video include access to care, affordable housing, education, emotional wellbeing, nutrition, safety and transportation. Additionally, representatives from these organizations shared their perspectives about practices that could improve the lives of all residents, especially vulnerable populations, in our community.
We hope that this video will help to enhance the understanding among leaders and people in the community about the impact of social and environmental determinants on health. Simultaneously, we believe it could be used to generate group discussions and ideas about what could be done to improve the lives of people in communities across the nation.
Thank you to all representives from the following organizations that agreed to be interviewed for this production:
- Anawin Housing
- Broadlawns Medical Center
- Capital Crossroads - Greater Des Moines Partnership
- Center for Total Health - Kaiser Permanente
- Des Moines Area Religious Council
- Polk County Health Department
- Polk County Housing Trust Fund
- Polk County Women and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)
- Primary Health Care Inc
- Project Iowa
- Refugee Resettlement Program - Catholic Charities
- The Tomorrow Plan - Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants - Des Moines
- Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa
We extend out sincerest thanks to Full Spectrum Productions LLC for the production of these materials and the Kresge Foundation for their financial support of the production of these videos.
Social Determinants of Health in Polk County (Full Video)
The Impact of Social and Environmental Determinants of Health in Polk County