The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on the Overall Wellbeing of Children: A Review for the Pediatric Surgeon

This review examines how social determinants of health—including economic stability, education, neighborhood environment, and healthcare access—impact pediatric surgical outcomes and child wellbeing. The authors present the five SDOH domains and provide actionable strategies for pediatric surgeons to identify and address these modifiable factors at provider, hospital, and health system levels to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for all children.