Around Maryland

State of Southwest Baltimore: Six Drivers of Health

Part Six of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on the final social driver of health – community. Community is defined as the social and physical environments where people live, including the quality of relationships and networks, neighborhood safety, and access to community resources. Isolation, lack of social support, and residence in unsafe or resource-poor neighborhoods can increase stress and lead to adverse health outcomes.

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.

Part Four of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on another social driver of health – economic stability.Economic Stability is the ability to consistently meet basic financial needs, which includes having stable employment and sufficient income for baseline needs. Economic insecurity often leads to stress and declined mental health conditions, as well as limited access to health-promoting resources, contributing to poorer health outcomes.

Part Three of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on an imperative social driver of health – access to healthcare. Healthcare Access is the ability to obtain appropriate, timely, affordable, and convenient healthcare services such as prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and illnesses. The ability to obtain healthcare is vital in securing the timely treatment of illnesses, management of chronic conditions, and allows for preventative services.

Part Two of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on another essential social driver of health – transportation. Transportation is defined as the availability and quality of transportation options that enable individuals to travel to work, school, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. Lack of reliable transportation can lead to delayed care for health issues, increased stress, and feelings of isolation, all of which negatively impact health outcomes. Inadequate transportation may also restrict access to community, which can further lead to adverse health outcomes.

Part One of the State of Southwest Baltimore Series will focus on the first social driver of health – nutrition. Nutrition is the access to sufficient, safe, and beneficial food to maintain a healthy and active life. Inadequate nutrition can lead to a range of health issues, including obesity, malnutrition, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. The leading cause of death in Baltimore is heart disease, which has been linked to poor nutrition.

Thousands of travelers are getting preventative health readings at the airport. LifeBridge Health launched its "Total Health Kiosk" at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to bring medical resources into the community. The kiosk, which is located in Concourse A between gates A9-11, offers travelers blood-pressure readings among other stats. Since it debuted over the summer, more than 2,700 people have used it.