Using the Socio-Ecological Model to Evaluate Social Determinants of Health In what ways can health professionals use the SEM to address health disparities associated with the social determinants of health? How can health professionals use the SEM to implement effective interventions to improve health outcomes? The social determinants of health are those unfair conditions in the social environment that affect how people live. These unfair conditions also increase the risk for illness and can reduce life expectancy. The inequitable distribution of various social determinants of health, such as substandard housing conditions or poverty, exacerbates health disparities. Yet, the social determinants of health are influenced by greater political and economic forces at the global, national, and local levels. The SEM is useful for planning interventions that focus on social determinants. The model allows health professionals to consider individual health behaviors within a socio-ecological context. The socio-ecological context provides a whole-system approach to health and the built environment. Using an integrated socio-ecological framework, health professionals can explore the role of substandard housing, poverty, or education in creating disparate health outcomes. Health professionals can also gain further insight for strategies to challenge society, the economic or political climate, and to transform inequitable environments. HIV Submit Paper 3-4 pages An explanation of how you would apply the community, society, and/or policy levels of the Socio-Ecological Model for the prevention of HIV. Explain how these levels of the Socio-Ecological Model might contribute to or influence proposed interventions for HIV. Readings Buckner-Brown, J., Tucker, P., Rivera, M., Cosgrove, S., Coleman, J. L., Penson, A., & Bang, D. (2011). Racial and ethnic approaches to community health. Family and Community Health, 34(Supplement 1), S12-S22 Chang, J., Guy, M. C., Rosales, C., de Zapien, J. G., Staten, L. K., Fernandez, M. L., & Carvajal, S. C. (2013). Investigating social ecological contributors to diabetes within Hispanics in an underserved U.S.-Mexico border community. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 10(8), 3217-3232. Scott, A. J., & Wilson, R. F. (2011). Social determinants of health among African Americans in a rural community in the Deep South: An ecological exploration. Rural and Remote Health, 11(1), 1634-1643. Wynn, T. A., Taylor-Jones, M. M., Johnson, R. E., Bostick, P. B., & Fouad, M. (2011). Using community-based participatory approaches to mobilize communities for policy change. Family and Community Health, 34(Supplement 1), S102-S114.