I need to make sure this account and Nourishing Our Needs stays true to its (my) roots by making sure I address true public health topics, as well as our privileged (yes I said it) health education & information. As much as we talk about exercise, proper nutrition, sleep, self-care, etc. affecting our health, there are much larger & more important factors that determine health outcomes. Those factors are known as "the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)" and they are the conditions of the environments in which people are born, live, work, socialize, etc. and they can contribute to inequities and health disparities. Our slides review the 5 categories of the SDOH, but our questions below can add some context. And, if you answer "yes" to these questions, you've been given a head start in having better health outcomes. Do you live in a community where it is safe to walk? Do you live near a grocery store and are you able to afford fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins? Do you have access to quality healthcare? Do you live in a neighborhood where the air and water are safe? Do/Did you have access to quality education? Bettering our health is hard. And, we need education, guidance, effort, and the right tools. But, I do want us to keep in perspective that one's health is influenced by things that are much bigger than diet and exercise and that it is truly a privilege for us to be focusing on those two behaviors in this space.