It is now widely understood in the United States that more than good health care is needed to achieve good health in communities and households. A growing body of research
indicates that many “upstream” factors, from housing conditions and the availability of good nutrition to the availability of social services and basic education, influence a person’s or community’s health status. Some experts estimate that as much as 80 percent of a person’s health status may be the result of such factors. And while addressing social factors helps improve the health of people in all communities, the health benefits of tackling them are especially pronounced in underserved communities.
