A Call to Action to Address the Social Determinants of Health

Rapid growth in metropolitan areas is associated with urban development and revitalization. However, neighborhood gentrification has negatively affected low income and communities of color by displacement and compounding structural and systemic inequities. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and immigrants/refugee communities are burdened with negative health outcomes from adverse circumstances illustrated by disparities in the social determinants of health and health indicators, that is, chronic disease and COVID-19. To remediate the situation and restore health, the multisector response needs to be reframed and emphasize systemic, integrated, and aligned efforts. These include policy, systems and environmental change approaches, community involvement, improvement of data systems, and workforce development.