New Research: Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan

Livonia, MI, Nov. 18, 2025 – Citizens Research Council of Michigan today released exhaustive research that drills down to root causes of why Michiganders suffer from worse health outcomes than our fellow citizens in comparable, neighboring states, across the U.S., and among our international peers. The report, Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan, outlines what Social Determinants of Health are and how they directly affect individual residents, Michigan’s economy, and the state’s future.

Two broad themes emerge from the data presented: the interconnectedness of the social determinants of health and the centrality of financial resources in the story of Michigan residents’ lagging health outcomes. “In every area of public policy, there is a nexus to health and well-being,” said Karley Abramson, health policy research associate. “When reviewing the ways in which social determinants of health intersect, the pathways can almost always be traced back to whether an individual has the necessary financial resources to achieve good health outcomes, but policies in all sorts of other areas influence whether a person can get what they need to be healthy.”

Financial Resources as Pathways to Health Outcomes

Policies in Michigan, like many other states, focus on the health care industry or individual health issues, but to impact health outcomes, policymakers need to consider a wider range of solutions, which is where Social Determinants of Health come in. The all-encompassing nature of Social Determinants of Health can make it difficult for policymakers to translate them into tangible actions.  This report unpacks Social Determinants of Health by focusing on the evidence-based fundamental resources that are necessary for individual health: Financial Resources; Health Care; Food and Nutrition; Safety; and Social Support.

“Each of these categories covers a vast number of overlapping issues and their interconnectedness is central to any discussion about health policy,” said Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council president. “The centrality of financial resources – education, employment, and income – is the story of Michigan’s lagging health outcomes.”

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Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan works to improve government in Michigan. The organization provides factual, unbiased, independent information concerning significant issues of state and local government organization, policy, and finance. By delivery of this information to policymakers and citizens, the Research Council aims to ensure sound and rational public policy formation in Michigan. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.