Beyond Sports Medicine: Social Determinants of Health with Dr. Alejandra Merriman

In this episode, Dr. Alejandra Merriman explores how health is shaped by much more than medical care alone. From socioeconomic status and education, to access to safe environments and culturally competent providers, the social determinants of health play a decisive role in who thrives and who struggles.

Through her work in sports medicine and community health, Dr. Merriman illustrates how these forces show up every day in the lives of athletes, especially those from underserved communities. She challenges listeners to think beyond the clinic, recognizing that true equity in healthcare requires addressing the full context of people’s lives. This is a conversation about widening the definition of care and reimagining what it means to serve communities holistically.

-AT L.A.S.T.

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Artwork by Jason Eisenberg 

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Music by Willie B the Ichiban Don

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Production / Engineering / Editing / by Gerson Sandoval

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Guest Contact info

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-merriman-dat-atc-ces-56196787/

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References

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2. Johnson ST, Norcross MF, Bovbjerg VE, Hoffman MA, Chang E, Koester MC. Sports-related emergency preparedness in oregon high schools. Sports Health. 2017;9(2):181-184.
3. Post E, Winterstein AP, Hetzel SJ, Lutes B, McGuine TA. School and community socioeconomic status and access to athletic trainer services in wisconsin secondary schools. Journal of Athletic Training. 2019;54(2):177-181.
4. Kroshus E, Rivara FP, Whitlock KB, Herring SA, Chrisman SPD. Disparities in athletic trainer staffing in secondary school sport: implications for concussion identification. Clin J Sport Med. 2017;27(6):542-547.
5. Post EG, Roos KG, Rivas S, Kasamatsu TM, Bennett J. Access to athletic trainer services in california secondary schools. Journal of Athletic Training. 2019;54(12):1229-1236.
6. Adler NE, Newman K. Socioeconomic disparities in health: pathways and policies. Health Affairs. 2002;21(2):60-76.
7. Reback R. Investments in students’ physical and mental health inCalifornia’s public schools. Getting Down to Facts II Web site.https://gettingdowntofacts.com/publications/investments-studentsphysical-and-mental-health-californias-public-schools. Published2018. Accessed September 4, 2019.
8. Simon JE, Wikstrom EA, Grooms DR, Docherty CL, Dompier TP, Kerr ZY. Athletic training service characteristics for patients with ankle sprains sustained during high school athletics. Journal of Athletic Training. 2019;54(6):676-683.
9. Adams WM, Scarneo SE, Casa DJ. State-level implementation of health and safety policies to prevent sudden death and catastrophic injuries within secondary school athletics. Orthop J Sports Med. 2017;5(9):2325967117727262.