What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Review. Population: Cardiovascular disease or risk factors related to social determinants of health. Primary outcome: Improvement in cardiovascular health (CVH) and Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) behaviors and factors.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore how social determinants impact cardiovascular health and identify effective interventions to address these disparities.

February 25, 2026Open Access

Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Health: Yes, They Matter—But What Can We Do to Address Them?

Key Result

Interventions such as produce prescriptions, culturally tailored education, community health worker integration, and financial incentives improved cardiovascular health behaviors and factors in under-resourced US populations, including a 4.9% weight loss in the FAITH! Trial and improved blood pressure control in South Asian immigrants with community health worker involvement.

Key Points

The study aims to explore how social determinants impact cardiovascular health and identify effective interventions to address these disparities.
Reviewed literature on social determinants of health and cardiovascular health associations.
Highlighted interventions like produce prescriptions and community health worker integration.
Assessed existing studies for their focus on single determinants and short follow-up periods.
Identified strong links between adverse social determinants and lower cardiovascular health scores.
Highlighted promising interventions that have the potential to improve cardiovascular health equity.
Emphasized the need for multilevel strategies to enhance clinical care and research for sustainable solutions.

Structured PICO

Do interventions addressing social determinants of health improve cardiovascular health in under-resourced communities?

Population

General population, with a focus on under-resourced communities and individuals with adverse social determinants of health

Intervention

Interventions addressing social determinants of health (e.g., produce prescriptions, culturally tailored education, community health worker integration, built environment enhancements, peer support models)

Outcome

Cardiovascular health (CVH) as defined by the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 (LE8)

Addressing social determinants of health through multilevel, equity-centered strategies is essential for improving cardiovascular health behaviors and factors.

Limitations

Most studies reviewed target single determinants with short follow-up durations.
Many interventions focus on limited or specific populations, limiting scalability and generalizability.
Evidence gaps remain for long-term sustainability and equity impact of interventions.
Limited research on some LE8 behaviors such as sleep health and translation of improved access to sustained lifestyle changes and clinical outcomes.

Abstract

Awareness of how social determinants of health (SDoH) shape cardiovascular outcomes is increasing, yet evidence on effective interventions remains limited. This review examines the associations between Healthy People 2030 SDoH domains and cardiovascular health (CVH), defined by the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), and highlights interventions with potential to reduce disparities. Adverse SDoH—including economic instability, limited education and healthcare access, neighborhood disadvantage, and low social support—are consistently linked to lower LE8 scores and higher CVH burden, especially in under-resourced communities. Promising interventions include produce prescriptions, culturally tailored education, community health worker integration, built environment enhancements, and peer support models. However, most studies target single determinants, involve short follow-up, or focus on limited populations, leaving gaps in scalability and equity impact. Addressing SDoH is essential for improving LE8 behaviors and factors. Progress requires multilevel, equity-centered strategies that align clinical care, policy, and research, while expanding rigorous trials to guide sustainable, community-driven solutions.

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