WHO WE ARE
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Solutions Lab is an interdisciplinary group of practitioners, service providers, researchers, clinicians, administrators, activists, and community members whose shared goal is to address SDOH in the Flint community.
HOW WE STARTED
Listening First
In 2011, MSU College of Human Medicine partnered with over 100 local organizations in Flint, Genesee County, Michigan to discuss anchoring a medical school in downtown Flint. To ensure that the medical school was driven by community needs, MSU faculty and community partners created a survey to assess the health needs and priorities of Flint residents.
Nearly 3,000 surveys collected. Key priorities identified:
1. Behavioral health
2. Healthy behaviors
3. Chronic disease
Flint community residents requested that these three areas be examined through the context of the SDOH towards understanding health disparities. Additionally, the community requested that research should focus on interventions.
These priorities became the foundation of the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health.
Renewed Call to Action
A decade later, community members reemphasized the importance of addressing SDOH, citing concerns about how American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were being allocated in Flint.
Unifying Efforts
To reduce silos and move toward solutions, 25 members of MSU’s Community Engagement group formed the SDOH-Solutions Lab in 2022 and committed to monthly meetings.
- Members bring intersectional perspectives as both community residents and organizational leaders
- The group works collaboratively to align efforts and advance SDOH-focused solutions across Genesee County
Centering Community Voice
In an ongoing effort to keep community leadership at the center, monthly Community Engagement meetings take place to provide space for residents to:
- Share evolving health priorities
- Identify emerging needs
- Build relationships across sectors
THE WORK: WHY AND WHAT WE DO
According to the CDC, the social determinants of health are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes.
Goal: To center community engagement approaches to convene community, policy maker (elected officials: city and county) and stakeholders in educational, and strategic initiatives to address SDOH in Genesee County.
Role: To serve as an educator, convener, and collaborator for SDOH activities in Flint/Genesee County and to assist leaders in all sectors/determinants in understanding their role in optimizing health for all residents.
Aim 1: Host an annual SDOH convening/summit/symposium (Launch a SDOH Day/Week in Flint Genesee County).
Aim 2: Provide strategic planning and collaboration efforts for local stakeholders and system leaders to advance SDOH education, policy, and interventions.
TO DATE, WE HAVE:
- Hosted our first Community SDOH Summit in February 2024, with over 100 participants.
- Hosted our second Community SDOH Summit, Pathways to Equity, in January 2025 in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the Greater Flint Taskforce on Racial and Social Equity, with over 120 registrants and nearly 80 participants in attendance.
- Expanded membership from 30 members to nearly 100 members.
COME JOIN US
WHEN: Meetings are held at 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Monday of each month
WHERE: MSU Flint, 200 East First Street, Flint, MI 48502
Help us build a culture of health in Flint and Genesee County.
- Network with an interdisciplinary team of expertise in SDOH research and practical application.
- Gain access to opportunities for grant writing, programming, research, and outreach.
- Share a platform to discuss SDOH priorities with elected officials.
- Participate in think tanks, community dialogues, summit planning and educational opportunities to advance the work of SDOH.
- Unify in solidarity to break silos and create collaborative spaces for SDOH work.
For more information, email Dr. Kent Key at keykent@msu.edu .
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