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# Systemic Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants of Health in American Kids With a Behavioral Focus

## Details

**Authors** Carmona B

**Year** 2022

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 2(1):1-27

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Public Health

**Reading level** intermediate

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.2025-0071BC) 
10.54120/jost.2025-0071BC

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Understanding the relationship between the socioeconomic determinants of health and childhood health outcomes is vitally important to create effective health intervention programs that benefit kids across a variety of socioeconomic contexts. An emphasis on childhood health behaviors within this relationship adds a unique nuance that has not been explored yet systematically but is necessary given that habits and behaviors instilled at an early age are more likely to last later in life. Thus, this map takes a systematic look at the relationships between and amongst these three overarching agents: socioeconomic determinants of health, childhood health behaviors, and childhood health outcomes in American kids aged 5-13. By exploring how each overarching agent relates to the parts of the others and the parts of itself using the “Agent Based Approach”, we are able to come to a more holistic understanding of how health outcomes are shaped by environmental influences, and can subsequently target intervention points by creating systematized recommendations that will have the most widespread and effective impact.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A systemic map of how socioeconomic determinants of health, childhood health behaviors, and health outcomes interact in American kids aged 5–13, using the Agent-Based Approach.

### What they found (results)

Treating the three as interrelated agents yields a more holistic picture of how environment shapes outcomes — and intervention points where recommendations will have the widest, most effective impact.

## Commentary

### In short

Maps how socioeconomic determinants of health, children's health behaviors and health outcomes relate to one another.

### Response

Maps socioeconomic determinants, health behaviors and outcomes in children aged 5 to 13 as interacting agents, and identifies intervention points. An application of Cabrera's Agent-Based Approach in health research.

**Patterns it shows** S, R

**How to cite this** Carmona B (2022). Systemic Analysis of Socioeconomic Determinants of Health in American Kids With a Behavioral Focus. Journal of Systems Thinking 2(1):1-27.