Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are born,
grow, work, live, and age. SDOH are systemic factors that may explain, perpetuate,
and exacerbate disparities in health outcomes for different populations and can be
measured at both an individual and neighborhood or community level (iSDOH, nSDOH).
In pregnancy, increasing evidence shows that adverse iSDOH and/or nSDOH are associated
with a greater likelihood that diabetes develops, and that when it develops, there
is worse glycemic control and a greater frequency of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Future
research should not only continue to examine the relationships between SDOH and adverse
pregnancy outcomes with diabetes but should determine whether multilevel interventions
that seek to mitigate adverse SDOH result in equitable maternal care and improved
patient health outcomes for pregnant individuals living with diabetes.
Key Points
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SDOH are conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age.
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SDOH are systemic factors that may explain, perpetuate, and exacerbate disparities
in health outcomes.
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SDOH can be measured at the individual and neighborhood level.
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Adverse SDOH are associated with worse outcomes for pregnant individuals living with
diabetes.
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Interventions that mitigate adverse SDOH to improve maternal health equity and outcomes
are needed.
Keywords
diabetes - social determinants of health - social needs - pregnancy
