Jenessa
Social and Community Context:
This toast is for Jenessa, who is creating inclusive outdoor experiences and making the great outdoors accessible so that individuals from black and brown communities can fully embrace nature without fear of judgment or microaggressions. Jenessa, a self-described Black fat mermaid has created her own representation in outdoor spaces - by accepting a position as a musher, working at camps, and co-leading a group of 60 Black and Brown people to experience camp. Janessa shares the importance of connection and understanding, underscoring the deep impact of seeing oneself reflected in a group sharing similar experiences. This is the heart of the Social Determinant of Health: Social the Community Context. The episode concludes with a toast to Hannah, acknowledging the transformative power of friendships and a community toast to Gord for bringing out the best in his employees.
Healthy People 2030 is the fifth iterative of a 40+ year initiative to help communities, organizations, and individuals improve American’s health and well-being. One of the key goals of Healthy People 2030 is to highlight the importance of the 5 Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) in increasing equity and reducing disparities in health; one of the five goals of Healthy People 2030 is directly related to the SDoH to “create social, physical, and economic environments that promote attaining the full potential for health and well-being for all” (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
The SDoH are the non-medical factors and environmental conditions where people are born, live, learn, work, play, and age. The SDoH influence up to 55% of our health outcomes including a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
One of the five SDoH is social and community context. Having strong relationships and connections with relatives, acquaintances, colleagues, and neighbors can have a positive impact on people's physical and mental health. Relationships can also help reduce the negative impacts of challenges and dangers we can’t control (Healthy People, 2030), and Jenessa is building relationships to help reduce the negative impacts of racism in outdoor spaces. These relationships can also help reduce the negative effects of challenges and dangers that are beyond people's control, such as living in unsafe neighborhoods or experiencing discrimination. However, some people, such as children whose parents are incarcerated or who are bullied, may not have access to the support they need to thrive. By promoting positive relationships at home, school, work, and in the community, interventions can help improve health and overall quality of life.
Episode Resources:
US Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2030: SDoH
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Social Determinants of Health
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