DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Chanté Johnson

LSW, DSW

Moving Towards a Transformative Healthcare System: Embedding Social Determinants of Health in Health Professionals Education to Address its Impact on Minority Groups.

Concentration - Administrative Leadership

Abstract

This presentation dissects the critical need to prioritize health equity in minority communities, specifically patients with chronic kidney disease, by implementing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in health professionals’ education. It highlights health professionals’ lack of education about SDOH and how they affect minorities, which leads to health inequities. In response to this problem, the presentation introduces a transformative approach to addressing health inequalities by strengthening health professionals’ education on SDOH. This approach helps health professionals identify the impact of social factors on individuals’ health, provide a greater understanding of how to address and advocate for patients affected by SDOH, refer patients to appropriate resources, and build better trust between patients and health providers. The goal is to integrate SDOH education as early as medical school and into health facilities, ultimately leading to increased awareness and better health outcomes in minority patients.

Biography

Chanté Johnson, LSW, is a compassionate and devoted social worker with over 8 years of experience in the healthcare field. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree at the University of Kentucky, focusing on Management and Administrative Leadership.

Chanté is just scratching the surface of social work. She is a dedicated social worker who is making a positive impact in the field. Chanté's research interest focuses on health equity within marginalized communities. Chanté's passion for improving access to adequate and affordable health care and services is apparent in her doctoral capstone project, which explores the implementation of social determinants of health in health professionals' education to bridge the health equity gap in marginalized groups. This coordinates with her research, which addresses barriers within health professionals' limited resources, lack of awareness regarding social determinants' impact on diverse groups, and uncertainty on how to intervene on social concerns. As a social worker at U.S. Renal Care, working with an interdisciplinary team and helping individuals manage a chronic illness, she works closely with the Advisory Board to contribute to leading initiatives to improve healthcare services for dialysis patients.