The Importance of Understanding Social Determinants of Health as a Medical Student: My Experience with the Cincinnati Homeless Coalition

Abstract

Medical education traditionally emphasizes academic rigor, often at the expense of practical community engagement. This experience article describes my journey beyond the confines of a medical school’s preclinical curriculum to engage with the social determinants of health through a partnership with the Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. My narrative begins with my initial foray into the community, detailing the inception and execution of a project aligned with the organization’s mission to combat homelessness. I discuss the challenges encountered, propose enhancements to overcome these limitations, and reflect on the project’s implications for future medical cohorts. The article underscores the value of understanding social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and education, and their influence on health outcomes. It advocates for the integration of community-based experiences in medical training, asserting that such involvement can enrich the educational journey of medical students by providing a broader perspective on healthcare needs and patient advocacy.

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