WGU D568 TASK 2: SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF
HEALTH AFFECTING VETERANS | ACCURATE AND
VERIFIED | 2026 UPDATE
Kathleen McClanahan
13| 08 |2026
Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health - D568
Instructor: Heather A. Bartlett
Task 2: Social Determinants of Health Affecting Veterans
A1. Veterans
A2. Describe three SDOH that affect the chosen population
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are environments in which people are
born, live, work, and age, significantly influencing health outcomes (Office of
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion et al., 2020). Three of the many
significant SDOH impacting veterans include Housing Stability, Employment
and Finances, and Social Supports and Community. The following is an
explanation of what each of these SDOH encompasses.
Housing stability incorporates several situations in which there is a
difficulty sustaining housing. This may look like struggling to pay rent, living
in an overcrowded environment, frequent moves, or unhealthy housing
conditions. Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and
Healthy People 2030, households are cost-burdened when more than 30
percent of their income is spent on housing and severely cost-burdened
when this spending exceeds 50 percent of their income. “People with the
lowest incomes may be forced to rent substandard housing that exposes
, them to health and safety risks” (Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion et al., 2020). Cost burden is also a factor in homelessness,
evictions, and moving in with others, potentially resulting in overcrowding.
HEALTH AFFECTING VETERANS | ACCURATE AND
VERIFIED | 2026 UPDATE
Kathleen McClanahan
13| 08 |2026
Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health - D568
Instructor: Heather A. Bartlett
Task 2: Social Determinants of Health Affecting Veterans
A1. Veterans
A2. Describe three SDOH that affect the chosen population
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are environments in which people are
born, live, work, and age, significantly influencing health outcomes (Office of
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion et al., 2020). Three of the many
significant SDOH impacting veterans include Housing Stability, Employment
and Finances, and Social Supports and Community. The following is an
explanation of what each of these SDOH encompasses.
Housing stability incorporates several situations in which there is a
difficulty sustaining housing. This may look like struggling to pay rent, living
in an overcrowded environment, frequent moves, or unhealthy housing
conditions. Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and
Healthy People 2030, households are cost-burdened when more than 30
percent of their income is spent on housing and severely cost-burdened
when this spending exceeds 50 percent of their income. “People with the
lowest incomes may be forced to rent substandard housing that exposes
, them to health and safety risks” (Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion et al., 2020). Cost burden is also a factor in homelessness,
evictions, and moving in with others, potentially resulting in overcrowding.
