Did You Miss the 2023 Social Determinants of Health Summit?
Everything You Need to Know

The Summit was hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Policy, and Planning Team. Their goal for the event was to launch Phase 2 of Michigan’s Social Determinants of Health Strategic Plan with three days of learning and networking. Phase 2 is more holistic than Phase 1, prioritizing collaboration to improve and maximize support systems. To read about Phase 2 in its entirety, visit the Social Determinants of Health website.

What are Social Determinants of Health? Catch up in 1.5 minutes with this video from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Who attended the live-virtual event?
The planners initially anticipated 500 people for this event. A month before registration closed, 1000 people had signed up, causing event registration to close earlier than advertised. “It is a both/and situation,” one planner said, “it is both great that so many people are interested in attending this important event and we do have to set a limit at some point.” Interest continued to be extremely high leading up to the event, with disappointed callers asking for special consideration or if there was a waitlist.

The recordings are now available in one library on the Social Determinants of Health website.

What were the best sessions?
There were 93 presenters spread out over 47 sessions. Many of the sessions were simultaneous, so participants had to plan which sessions they would attend and which they would miss. Concurrent sessions had an overall theme. For example, the theme for all the sessions during the first breakout was Strategies to Reduce Health Disparities, while the second set of breakouts was all about Supporting Communities with Community Health Workers.

Some of the most highly anticipated and well-received sessions were by:

Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, with Senior Advisor for Legislative & External Affairs at the Executive Office of Governor Thomas Stallworth,

Understanding Racism as a Barrier to Health Equity – How to Adapt Policy/Programs to Address Barriers, with State Assistant Administrator for MDHHS Dr. James Bell III and

Building Partnerships to Support Equity & Systems Change, with Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer for the Executive Office of the Governor Poppy Sias-Hernandez.

Will there be a Social Determinants of Health Summit in 2024?
This is still yet to be determined. However, there are many opportunities to experience the energy of the summit and be a part of the work happening state-wide.

See the image below for ways to get involved and to learn more about MDHHS Social Determinants of Health Strategy – Michigan’s Roadmap to Health Communities.

Written by:
Dee Chauvin
Event Planner – MPHI Education & Training Services