Part Five of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on a powerful social driver of health – education. This social driver of health relates to both the level of education attainment and the quality of said education. Increased education is linked to better health literacy and healthier lifestyle choices, as well as increased economic opportunities.
In Baltimore City, 34.8% of the population has a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and nearly 30% of the population only has a High School Diploma or equivalent. In 2023, 40% of Baltimore City high schools did not have any students score proficient in math on the main state-wide exam.
Baltimore City and Catholic Charities partner together to provide the Head Start program, which provides early childhood and family development services for low-income children and families.
Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital offers tuition reimbursement to their employees looking to further their career, as well as dedicated career advisors to help associates navigate their career path. Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital also works with multiple Southwest Baltimore Title I public schools and provides them with food, clothing, ancillary resources that support the school, and other necessities.
All Mount Saint Joseph High School Freshman are required to complete a day of service at Our Daily Bread, with Juniors and Seniors of Mount Saint Joseph High School serving their community for a semester at My Brother’s Keeper.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines social drivers of health, also known as the social determinants of health, as the “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.”
The State of Southwest Baltimore Series aims to examine the presence of the six social drivers of health in Southwest Baltimore and how local community organizations are helping create healthier communities.
