The Issue:

Public health research has shown a strong link between social capital and health. Social capital is defined as “features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and social trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.” This report focuses on social risk factors and social capital to explore health disparities in Central Texas.

This report measures social capital across three domains and explores its relation to eight aspects of health for Central Texas residents. Key findings include:

  • There is a strong correlation between social capital and health outcomes
  • There are statistically significant effects of social capital across all health models
  • There is a direct relationship between income and health (lower income is related to worse health)
  • There are large disparities in social capital between groups reflecting historic inequities rooted in systemic racism

The Benefits of Social Capital on Health and the Power of Social Connection

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Social Capital and Health

Social Capital and Health

The Benefits of Social Capital on Health and the Power of Social Connection

The Benefits of Social Capital on Health and the Power of Social Connection

This report was funded through a grant from St. David’s Foundation’s Evaluation and Strategic Learning department as part of the Austin Sustainability Indicators Project. It supports the Foundation in furthering its understanding of social connection as a key principle for advancing health equity.

The Issue:

Public health research has shown a strong link between social capital and health. Social capital is defined as “features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and social trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.” This report focuses on social risk factors and social capital to explore health disparities in Central Texas.

This report measures social capital across three domains and explores its relation to eight aspects of health for Central Texas residents. Key findings include:

  • There is a strong correlation between social capital and health outcomes
  • There are statistically significant effects of social capital across all health models
  • There is a direct relationship between income and health (lower income is related to worse health)
  • There are large disparities in social capital between groups reflecting historic inequities rooted in systemic racism

TAKEAWAY

Significant research has been done proving the benefits of social capital on health. This report highlights how strong the link is in Central Texas and concludes that across all groups, social capital leads to improved health.

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DOWNLOAD PDF: Austin Area Social Capital
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
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Patrick Bixler
Patrick Bixler
Assistant Professor
RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service
ST. DAVID'S FOUNDATION:
Jesse Simmons, MS, Senior Evaluation Officer at St. David's Foundation
Jesse Simmons, MS
Senior Evaluation Officer

The Benefits of Social Capital on Health and the Power of Social Connection

This report was funded through a grant from St. David’s Foundation’s Evaluation and Strategic Learning department as part of the Austin Sustainability Indicators Project. It supports the Foundation in furthering its understanding of social connection as a key principle for advancing health equity.

The Issue:

Public health research has shown a strong link between social capital and health. Social capital is defined as “features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and social trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.” This report focuses on social risk factors and social capital to explore health disparities in Central Texas.

This report measures social capital across three domains and explores its relation to eight aspects of health for Central Texas residents. Key findings include:

  • There is a strong correlation between social capital and health outcomes
  • There are statistically significant effects of social capital across all health models
  • There is a direct relationship between income and health (lower income is related to worse health)
  • There are large disparities in social capital between groups reflecting historic inequities rooted in systemic racism
DOWNLOAD PDF: Austin Area Social Capital
SHARE THESE FINDINGS
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
Partner Logo
Patrick Bixler
Patrick Bixler
Assistant Professor
RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service
Patrick Bixler
Patrick Bixler
Assistant Professor
RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service
FOR ST. DAVID'S FOUNDATION:
Jesse Simmons, MS, Senior Evaluation Officer at St. David's Foundation
Jesse Simmons, MS
Senior Evaluation Officer
Jesse Simmons, MS, Senior Evaluation Officer at St. David's Foundation
Jesse Simmons, MS
Senior Evaluation Officer
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[back to all articles]