Social determinants of health: Predictors of risk of substance use in older adults

Substance use in older adults is a public health concern, having both mental health and
physical health impacts. The social determinants of health (SDOH) framework can aid in
developing effective interventions to ensure healthy aging and coping in the older adult
population. This study uses the SDOH framework to evaluate risk factors that contribute to
substance use to cope with stress in older adults. A multiple regression analysis was used for
secondary data analysis of the Health and Retirement Study to examine predictors of
substance use to cope with stress in older adults. The main findings indicated predictors of
substance use to cope with stress were social and community context, followed by the SDOH
categories of health and healthcare, and neighborhood physical cohesion. The findings
identify the importance of emphasizing access to equitable healthcare and healthy aging in
communities. Implications for clinical practice include the implementation of policies and
services that provide support to communities in which older adults reside. The social
determinants of health framework may be an essential tool to develop policies and solutions
addressing substance use, barriers to health, and community wellness. As the population
ages, policy changes and community programs can counteract the stressors associated with
aging to promote healthy aging and coping in communities.