Reality Check: A Board Game on Social Determinants of Health
Reality Check is an engaging, research-informed board game designed to educate players about the social determinants of health (SDoH) and how identity factors—such as income, education, gender identity, and age—intersect to influence health outcomes.
Designed by a public health expert and pilot tested in classrooms and professional development settings, Reality Check turns complex public health issues into an interactive, eye-opening experience. Each player assumes a unique persona and navigates real-world scenarios that highlight the challenges people face based on their social circumstances.
Whether you’re a health educator, healthcare provider, public policy leader, or student, this game fosters critical thinking and empathy while promoting meaningful discussions about health equity.
Key Features:
- 2–5 players, each with a distinct identity-based persona
- Scenario-based game play inspired by real-life challenges
- Designed for use in classrooms, professional workshops, and community settings
- No internet required – ideal for rural and group environments
- Expandable with future scenario packs
Perfect For:
- Medical schools and public health programs
- Social work and education professionals
- Healthcare providers and administrators
- Legislators and policy influencers
- High school and university classrooms
Impact-Driven Learning:
Feedback from healthcare professionals and educators has been overwhelmingly positive, calling the game “eye-opening,” “essential for policy discussions,” and “an amazing tool for student training.”
Bring Reality Check into your organization and spark real conversations about health, identity, and equity.
Included with your purchase:
- Game Board with numbered spaces (1–55), special zones like “Pay Day,” and a “Finish” space.
- Game Cards
- Persona – assign each player a starting identity
- For the Banker – specifies the amount of starting money for each persona
- Payday Loan – may be used once during the game; must be repaid with 10% interest before finishing
- Situation – feature real-life inspired events that impact players financially
- Game Money (denominated bills in different colors)
- Colored player pawns (5)
- Die (1)
- Printed Instructions
*Available for licensing for education and research purposes only.
*Shipping is only available to the United States and Canada. For licensing inquires please contact UTRF.