The world of health is always changing. To keep up, experts need a way to organize and understand all the new information. This is where ontologies come in. Think of them as big maps that show how different ideas in a field are connected. They help experts see the big picture. But these maps need to be updated regularly. New ideas pop up all the time. Some mig...
There is a growing awareness of how social factors impact health. However, this awareness has not fully reached asylum seekers, who face unique challenges. A recent effort in Boston aimed to change this by testing a program to identify and address the social needs of asylum seekers. This program was a first step in understanding how to best support this often overloo...
Lots of things shape how healthy we are. These include where we live, how much money we make, and our access to good food and healthcare. These factors are called social determinants of health. They play a big role in how well we heal and recover from medical treatments. This is true for many types of medicine, but not so much for hand surgery. There isn't much resea...
The military is a unique community. It is not just about physical strength and discipline. The mental health of service members is equally important. A recent look into the lives of active U. S. service members reveals that everyday struggles, not just medical issues, play a big role in their mental well-being. These struggles, known as social determinants of health,...
The way a person grows up can have a big impact on their adult life. This includes things like where they live and how much money their family has. Past studies have shown that these early experiences can affect health and behaviors later in life. For example, they can influence whether someone develops a disease or struggles with substance abuse. But what about choi...
Imagine working in a place where the temperature is as high as a summer day in the desert. This is a reality for many workers. The heat can be brutal, and it's not just about physical discomfort. It can mess with your mind too. But how exactly does this happen? And why is it important to talk about? First, let's talk about what we know. Heat can make people ...
Doctors are starting to ask about more than just your physical health during check-ups. They might ask about your home, job, or even if you have enough food. This isn't about being nosy. It's about understanding that your health is affected by more than just what's happening inside your body. These are called social determinants of health, or SDH for short. SDH play...
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory condition that affects the spine and joints. It's not just about your body it's also about where you live, who you are, and how you live. This condition doesn't just show up randomly, it has a story behind it and that story is very complex. Ever thought about how your life outside the doctor's office can mes...
You know how some people are healthier than others? It's not just genetics or lifestyle choices – it's also about where they live, what they eat, and how much money they have. These are called social determinants of health (SDOH). To measure these factors, researchers and doctors use tools like PRAPARE. We tested how good PRAPARE is at measuring SDOH in people with h...
Did you know that where you live and your daily life might have a big impact on your health? Researchers took a closer look at this using data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). They found that social factors, like having enough food or a stable home, play a significant role in chronic diseases among adults in the US. These social deter...