Social Determinants of Health: Malawi

Social determinants of health are a prominent issue facing healthcare worldwide. While social determinants of health reflect specific communities, there remains a universal concern: struggle for access to healthcare. This is an issue faced by many and can disproportionately affect certain communities which contributes greatly to overall poor health outcomes. During the Summer of 2023, a cohort of Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic medical students had the opportunity to travel to and work at Child Legacy International Hospital in Malawi, Africa. Students were able to witness some of the struggles that the community faced including conditions related to: preventable and communicable illnesses, prenatal care, postpartum care, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of resources. Throughout this experience students were able to engage with hospital staff members as well as community members to gain their perspective on the issues faced by many Malawians and how they believe they can overcome those barriers. Overall catching a glimpse into the lives of Malawians and the struggles they face. The goal of this presentation is to raise awareness of barriers to healthcare in Malawi, Africa. This awareness will lead to further research and will aid in improving health outcomes in the nation