What are Non-Medical Drivers of Health?
Exploring the critical role non-medical drivers of health play in shaping community well-being.
In the intricate web of healthcare, the threads that hold our health together often aren’t medical. Non-medical drivers of health, also referred to as social drivers of health (SDOH) or simply drivers of health (DOH), play a crucial role in shaping our overall health and well-being. These factors can influence everything from chronic disease rates to mental health outcomes.
As a result, they have a profound impact on healthcare costs. One study shows that patients with high non-medical needs are up to 50% likely to have any emergency department (ED) use and 80% more likely to have high-frequency ED use. By understanding and addressing needs that exist outside of the clinic walls, we can significantly improve community health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
What are Non-Medical Drivers of Health?
When we talk about health, the conversation is typically centered around clinical or medical factors—but there’s a whole world of non-medical needs that play a crucial role. These drivers are the everyday conditions and resources that influence a person’s health and quality of life. These needs go beyond the traditional healthcare setting and include factors such as:
1. Housing Stability: Safe and affordable housing is essential for physical and mental health. Unstable or poor housing conditions can lead to chronic stress, illness, and even homelessness.
2. Food Security: Access to nutritious food is crucial for maintaining a healthy diet and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Food insecurity can lead to malnutrition and poor dietary quality, which may contribute to a range of health issues.
3. Transportation: Reliable transportation is necessary for accessing healthcare services, employment, and social activities. Lack of transportation can isolate individuals and limit their opportunities.
4. Economic Stability: Financial security affects a person’s ability to afford healthcare, healthy food, and other essential resources. Poverty and economic instability can lead to increased stress and health problems.
5. Education: Access to quality education can improve health literacy and provide individuals with the skills needed to make informed health decisions. Education can lead to better job opportunities and improved economic stability.
6. Community Safety: Living in a safe and supportive community can reduce the risk of violence and injury. Unsafe environments can lead to chronic stress and trauma.
7. Environmental Factors: Clean air, water, and a safe living environment are essential for good health. Exposure to pollution and environmental toxins can lead to a range of health problems, from respiratory issues to cancer.
How do Non-Medical Drivers of Health Influence Health Outcomes?
Non-medical needs can have a profound impact on health outcomes. They significantly influence an individual’s ability to manage any existing medical issues and also influence their risk of developing chronic conditions.
For instance, access to nutritious food is a fundamental aspect of health. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Conversely, food insecurity and limited access to healthy options can lead to limited or poor dietary choices, which can exacerbate existing health problems and contribute to the development of new ones.
Transportation challenges can significantly limit an individual’s ability to access healthcare services, adhere to medication regimens, and engage in social activities. For many, the lack of reliable transportation can mean missed medical appointments, delayed treatment, and a reduced ability to participate in community activities. Addressing transportation barriers is crucial to helping individuals maintain their health and well-being.
Safe housing is another critical non-medical factor that significantly impacts health. Living in a stable, safe, and affordable home can prevent injuries, reduce stress, and support mental health. On the other hand, unsafe or unstable housing can lead to physical injuries, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of behavioral health issues such as depression and anxiety.
How do Non-Medical Needs Impact Healthcare Costs?
Non-medical needs can also have a profound impact on healthcare costs. When individuals face non-medical challenges, they often seek care more frequently in emergency settings, which is more expensive than primary care or preventive services. For example, a person without reliable transportation might find it difficult to attend routine doctor’s appointments, leading to untreated conditions that eventually require emergency care. Similarly, someone experiencing food insecurity might have poor nutrition, which can exacerbate chronic conditions and increase the need for immediate medical interventions.
However, solutions that address these non-medical needs at scale lead to better health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs—and there’s data to show it. For example, North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), which is supported by Unite Us infrastructure, has demonstrated annual Medicaid savings of $1000 per member.
Technology can help bridge the gap between healthcare and the broader drivers of health by enhancing access to these services. This, in turn, can lead to reduced hospital readmissions and improved patient outcomes.
What This Means for Organizations Delivering Community-Based Care
As we continue to understand how non-medical needs affect health, it’s clear that no one group can tackle this alone. It takes a team effort—governments, healthcare providers, payers, and community organizations all have a role to play in changing the way we think about and deliver care.
Government
Policymakers are uniquely positioned to drive large-scale change through funding, regulation, and policy innovation. Programs using Medicaid waivers, like North Carolina’s HOP, show the power of state-level action to invest in non-medical supports. Government agencies can also lead the way in incentivizing cross-sector collaboration and standardizing data sharing across systems to enable better coordination of care and services.
Payers
Payers are in a unique position to invest in interventions that address upstream health challenges, particularly because of the clear connection to reduced downstream costs. Many health plans are already expanding their benefits to include services like meal delivery, transportation assistance, and housing support. By investing in cross-sector partnerships and scalable technology infrastructure, plans can unlock better outcomes, improve quality scores, and strengthen member trust in a competitive market.
Healthcare Providers
For clinicians and health systems, integrating non-medical care into clinical care is becoming essential. Providers can leverage screening tools to identify non-medical needs during patient visits and work with care coordinators or social workers to connect patients with support. More importantly, recognizing that health doesn’t start or stop in the exam room encourages a more patient-centered, holistic approach to care delivery.
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
CBOs are the backbone of local support networks and can foster deep trust within the communities they serve. As demand for social services increases, CBOs need sustainable funding, strong partnerships with healthcare organizations, and access to tools that help them scale impact. Technology platforms that streamline referrals and track outcomes can help CBOs demonstrate their value and align more closely with healthcare partners.
Addressing Non-Medical Needs at Scale with Technology
Innovative solutions that address these often overlooked factors are the key to building healthier, more resilient communities and improving efficiency along the care continuum. Technology platforms have emerged as powerful tools for addressing these drivers of health at scale by streamlining referrals and connecting individuals to essential services.
In an era where technology is increasingly integrated into our daily lives, care coordination infrastructure is not just critical for convenience, but also for efficiency and scale. By addressing the non-medical needs that often underlie poor health outcomes, we can create a more seamless and integrated healthcare system that prioritizes both efficiency and holistic health.
