Understanding and addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) is a critical next frontier in creating lasting health equity. These non-medical factors—such as economic stability, education, neighborhood and environment, and social context—profoundly influence health outcomes far more than traditional healthcare services. This training course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive framework for moving beyond awareness to action, equipping you with practical strategies to integrate SDOH into your programs and policies for meaningful, community-level impact.

This program will guide you through the process of identifying key social determinants within a population, using data to inform your decisions, and forging cross-sector partnerships to create sustainable change. You will learn to design, implement, and evaluate multi-faceted interventions that address the root causes of health disparities. By the end of this course, you will be prepared to lead initiatives that not only improve health but also foster resilience and well-being for entire communities.

Duration

5 days

Target Audience

• Public health professionals
• Community health workers and navigators
• Health and social service administrators
• Healthcare providers and clinicians
• Program managers and policy analysts
• Urban planners and environmental specialists
• Educators and school administrators
• Non-profit organization leaders
• Government agency staff
• Students in public health and social sciences

Objectives

• Define the key domains of social determinants of health.
• Analyze how SDOH contribute to health inequities.
• Utilize data to identify and prioritize community-level needs.
• Develop effective partnerships across different sectors.
• Design and implement multi-level interventions that address SDOH.
• Integrate health equity principles into all program planning.
• Engage community members as active partners in strategy development.
• Measure the impact of SDOH interventions on health outcomes.
• Advocate for policies that support healthier living conditions.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Core Concepts of SDOH

• Defining the five key domains of social determinants.
• Differentiating between health disparities and health inequities.
• The historical and structural factors that create inequities.
• A conceptual framework for addressing SDOH in practice.
• The link between SDOH and chronic disease management.

Module 2: Assessment and Data-Driven Insights

• Collecting and analyzing community-level data.
• Using geographic information systems (GIS) for mapping needs.
• Conducting a community health needs assessment.
• Identifying health and social service gaps in a community.
• Interpreting data to inform a targeted SDOH strategy.

Module 3: Cross-Sector Collaboration

• The benefits and challenges of working with non-health partners.
• Engaging with housing, transportation, and food systems.
• Building a coalition with shared goals and clear roles.
• Developing a common language for collaboration.
• Sustaining partnerships beyond initial funding cycles.

Module 4: Designing and Implementing Interventions

• Creating interventions that address multiple determinants at once.
• The role of human-centered design in program development.
• Strategies for patient-centered care and social needs screening.
• Examples of successful SDOH initiatives from around the world.
• The importance of tailoring programs to local context.

Module 5: Technology and Innovation

• Leveraging digital tools to connect people to resources.
• Using interoperable data systems to track social needs.
• The role of telehealth in reducing access barriers.
• Mobile applications for health education and community connection.
• Ethical considerations for using technology in vulnerable populations.

Module 6: Policy and Advocacy

• Advocating for policies that address housing and food insecurity.
• Influencing local and national policy on education and employment.
• Building a case for SDOH funding with policymakers.
• Communicating policy impacts to community members and stakeholders.
• The basics of a health-in-all-policies approach.

Module 7: Monitoring and Evaluation

• Developing a clear evaluation plan and logic model.
• Choosing the right metrics for an SDOH intervention.
• Qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection.
• Reporting and communicating your impact to stakeholders.
• The importance of using evaluation results for continuous improvement.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.