a Topic: The Allstate Foundation Webinar Series: The Economic Impact of Social Determinants of Health
Hosted By: Allstate Foundation
Date/Time: Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 5:00am ChST
Description: The economic impact of intimate partner violence can last years due to destroyed credit, lack of employment, and medical bills. But the economic challenges go beyond the abuse. Social Determinants of Health (SDH) can affect the financial stability for survivors – from lack of safe, affordable housing, to food insecurity and access, to education and job opportunities As a social determinant of health (SDH), domestic violence plays a role in the health and wellbeing of survivors even after leaving an abusive relationship; coupled with other SDHs, survivors are at an economic disadvantage. For some survivors, leaving an abusive relationship can lead to a loss of resources, including housing and health insurance, and lead to poverty. When survivors do not have access to safe, affordable housing they often return to an abusive partner.
In 2005, 50% of US cities surveyed reported that domestic violence is the primary cause of homelessness. Together, the lack of housing impacts the health and financial wellbeing of victims; lack of housing limits employment opportunities and the lack of housing negatively impacts physical and mental health. Beyond housing, SDHs are impacting survivors. For some, they may lack access to traditional grocery stores and pay more for food (neighborhood and built environment SDH). In many communities, schools are wildly underfunded due to redlining, tax structures, and low state investments leading to lower high school graduation levels and higher levels of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Social Determinants of Health aren’t just impacting our physical and mental health but also our financial health, taking a toll on our overall quality of life and well-being.