Written by Glenda Cyphert and Paul Ceprish, Regional Counseling Center

Some things to think about for a healthy 2024 are ways to improve ourselves through our Social Determinants. Social Determinants are the conditions in the environment where we are born, live, learn, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of healthy functioning and affect our quality of life.

These five areas include:

Economic Stability – being able to find and keep work to afford the things that we need to stay healthy such as healthy food, housing, and health care; and also to reduce poverty.

Education Access and Quality – People with higher education tend to be healthier and live longer. This is why programs that help kids graduate, improve reading and math skills, and preventative mental health treatment are so important.

Health Care Access and Quality – Having access to health insurance, primary care physicians, preventative care, affordable medications, and treatment for chronic illnesses in a timely manner.

Neighborhood and Built Environment – Having a safe and healthy environment with clean water and air, biking and walking areas, and low crime and violence.

Social and Community Context – Relationships and interactions with family and friends, coworkers, and community members can have a major impact on health and well-being.

All of us can help each other to attain our full potential to become the best version of ourselves, accomplished by setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

Happy New Year!

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s February 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.