The Association Between Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and Mental Health Status in the US

Social determinants of health (SDoH) are considered significant determinants of mental health. This study examines the association between SDoH and mental health status in the United States. We analyzed 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 183,318 U.S. adults using multinomial logistic regression. Several SDoH were significantly linked to the frequency of poor mental health days. After adjusting for all covariates, individuals facing difficulty paying utility bills had lower odds of experiencing episodic (vs. chronic) poor mental health (AOR = 0.47, <i>p</i> = 0.031). Transportation challenges were associated with lower odds of episodic distress rather than chronic mental health issues (AOR = 0.35, <i>p</i> = 0.026). Individuals who were unable to afford a doctor or who experienced employment loss had significantly lower odds of reporting no poor mental health days compared to reporting chronic poor mental health, with adjusted odds ratios of 0.37 and 0.84, respectively. Non-Hispanic Whites and males were more likely to report chronic poor mental health. Policies that prioritize economic stability and job security, reliable transportation, and equal access to education and healthcare are crucial for promoting mental health equity across diverse populations.