Education as a Foundational Element to Family Success

The success of families depends on understanding the complex factors contributing to their well-being and flourishing.

Summary

This Light Paper explores the impact of education on individual and community well-being. Through examining national and North Carolina-specific trends in education quality, we aim to illuminate both the progress made and the urgent need for systemic change. Read the full Light Paper to explore the state of education in North Carolina, key challenges, and potential pathways to a more equitable future.  

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About the series

The success of families depends on understanding the complex factors contributing to their well-being and flourishing. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical aspects of one's life that shape one's health and well-being.21 Understanding SDOHs is crucial for family well-being because these areas have the potential to impede a family's ability to thrive. When we address SDOH, we accelerate the process towards health equity, the state in which every family has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health.   

Healthy People, a Department of Health and Human Services project with data-driven national objectives to improve health and well-being, focuses on equitable health and well-being. Healthy People 2030 describes how addressing equitable health and well-being together addresses the factors deeply rooted in personal and societal values (i.e., social justice, safety, prosperity, civic engagement, and environmental integrity).22 On a state level, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Equity has committed to addressing family well-being through the framework of health equity. The NCDHHS Strategic Plan (2024-2026) is committed to removing disparities and promoting "whole-person" health.23 When health equity is not accomplished and prioritized, health disparities are present and can be exacerbated.   

The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion defines social determinants of health (SDOH) as “conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.” They divide SDOH into five categories:   

• Education Access and Quality   
• Economic Stability 
• Social and Community Context 
• Neighborhood and Built Environment 
• Health Care Access and Quality   

For the next five months, we will be highlighting the importance of these categories, demonstrating why professionals, advocates, and family champions must be acutely aware of the circumstances that influence family well-being. By shedding light on these critical areas, we aim to underscore the necessity of a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of well-being. To improve conditions for families and eventually encourage and foster environments for generational well-being, professionals should recognize and address the diverse factors that contribute to current situations. When this happens, we can foster resiliency within families and communities and build social capital. This can be achieved by encouraging resource sharing and fostering connections that enhance the ability of professionals and advocates to navigate the obstacles presented by each of these social determinants of health.