Addressing the Root Cause: Rising Health Care Costs and Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

The United States is the only high-income country that does not have publicly-financed universal health care, yet it has one of the world's highest public health care expenditures. This financial outlay is not bringing the desired result in health outcomes because the root cause is not being addressed: solving the systematic disparities and social determinants that lead to poor health and health inequities. Targeting resources for the most vulnerable populations and linking health care plans with community-based organizations to address social determinants of health at the outset is a cost-effective means of preventing expensive chronic illnesses and health inequities.