The effects of current health policy on social determinants of health, implications in colon and rectal surgery

Abstract

Despite decades of work on advancing outcomes in colon and rectal surgery, social determinants of health (SDOH) remain an unaddressed component in understanding these outcomes to ensure health equity. Consequently, there is evidence that SDOH have a negative impact on morbidity and mortality of those individuals with colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease in comparison to their counterparts. We sought to elucidate the interplay between SDOH with the access and utilization of Medicaid and how best to improve patient care and outcomes through policy changes. Further education how to address SDOH is needed, as well as a continued push for policy makers to create legislation to improve these rampant inequities in medicine.