2025 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-15-2025

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Kirk Ketelsen

Abstract

Social determinants of health (SDOH) play a critical role in shaping healthcare utilization and overall well-being within communities. This study examines trends and patterns in SDOH within the Nampa community to identify social variables affecting the utilization of health services and determine the services needed to best serve the population. Data were collected through surveys distributed by St. Luke’s Hospital, including both clinic-based and community-wide surveys. Using Excel for data cleaning and RStudio for statistical analysis, we evaluated SDOH trends across multiple data sources and assessed differences in their ability to capture key indicators, such as housing instability.

Preliminary analysis revealed high levels of concern for topics such as housing costs (both renting and homeownership), prescription drug costs, mental health access, and public safety issues, including drug trafficking and domestic violence. Moderate concerns were noted for factors like transportation costs, mental health stigma, and job availability, while slight concerns emerged for issues such as commute length and pedestrian safety. These findings underscore the importance of addressing key challenges while leveraging targeted interventions to improve community health outcomes.

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