Social Determinants Of Health Essay

The social determinants of health can be defined as “characteristics of health and the pathways by which conditions around us affect health” (Macdougall, 2012).Another example is ‘Health’ is a very broad notion, affected by a wide range of individual characteristics, behaviours and contextual factors. Those contextual factors that fall within social, economic and environmental domains are usually referred to as ‘the social determinants of health.” (alliance, may 2011) The conditions are those that are the underlying principles to either good or poor health. While they vary upon the communities of the world, three characteristics makeup for the majority of the world’s populations underlying medical issues. The person’s environment, their income and their housing must be overseen before a medical professional can deem this person to be healthy.
The term “social determinants of health”, is a broad term which is made up of many factors that impact the quality of health a person has.
Income, housing and environment are just three factors which greatly impact a person’s health and are all classed as determinants. The first determinant being income effects the human in many ways.

Income can be seen as one of the most important determinant of health as it is the core element effecting a person’s health and wellbeing. It has been seen that those with a low income are more prone to illness
and death than those well off financially. Income is a noteworthy component of socioeconomic status. “Men and women with lower socioeconomic status (as measured by family income, education level, occupation, and areas of socioeconomic disadvantage), bear a higher burden of disease and have lower life expectancy.” (Network, Social Determinants of Health, 2011)they are also less inclined to be treated of tested for potential illnesses.

Those children who grow up in a low socioeconomic environment will continue to have poor education and health later on in life, causing significant impact on their health and wellbeing throughout their entire lives. A secure income allows a family to purchase nutritious foods, obtain adequate housing, and engage in healthy activities, among other things, which affects the health of the members of that family. Income also affects health at a neighbourhood level to the extent that fewer resources and services and more crime, are found in those places where poverty is concentrated. Because low-income families are more vulnerable to poor health they are more costly users of health care services — not because they use health services more frequently but because they are sicker when they do require care. Therefore, their hospital stays are longer and may involve more costly treatment procedures.

It is clear and evident that with poor income a person’s health with show in accordance. Many low income earners will sacrifice elements like healthy eating and health care funds to pay for other goods which they deem more important. It can also be seen that with a poor income housing can be greatly affected.

Housing is a determinant as poor housing leads to greater health issues. An example of this would be a person living on the streets won’t have the facilities to prepare a decent meal and be able to store food items adequately. Housing can be affected by the following: design, location, security and affordability all impact housing and the quality of health.

A person who is living in a poorly designed house or has poorly designed living arrangements will a have mental and physical effect on their health. Overpopulated housing with a poor quality building will mean ventilation will be at risk and thus will also effect mental wellbeing as no privacy and personal space will be accessible. The location of the home will also give an impact as areas where there are high levels of unemployment, inadequate transport, environmental hazards, and violence will greatly impact a person’s health. Housing that is poorly located can also mean that people are isolated from their natural support networks.
Housing insecurity increases relocation rates, which has a significant impact on the education attainments of children living in such situations. Housing tenure is also directly linked to cardio-vascular disease and mortality from all causes for people in rental accommodation is higher than for owner occupiers, even after other socioeconomic variables are considered. Inadequate housing and housing stress caused by having to spend more than 30% (Patrick Präg*, 2013) of a low income on housing can lead to family conflict and breakdown

Some people are unable to access any housing that is safe, secure or appropriate to their needs. “The 1996 Census showed there were approximately 25,000 homeless people in Queensland, and approximately 5,000 of these people were shelter less” (Network, Social Determinants of Health, 2008). Homeless adults have a much higher rate of mental health problems, although it is not understood whether these problems result from being homeless or homelessness is the result of pre-existing mental health problems. Homeless young people have a much higher prevalence of physical and psychological problems (including sexual health, nutrition and oral health problems, as well as higher levels of substance abuse) than the general population. They frequently also have very low self-esteem, and a diminished sense of responsibility.

While the location of living is an environment the general environment a person is in will change their health status. Poor seasons affect the incomes of farmers and of people in regional centres who rely on servicing farming communities. As a rule of thumb a good season boosts agricultural incomes and those of businesses most closely related to it. Climate change is expected to increase the variability of agricultural incomes and in many areas is likely to depress them. It is difficult to be sure about the relative cost of living in major cities compared with regional and remote areas. The cost of housing in regional and remote areas is 60-80 per cent of what it is in major cities, but the costs of fuel, transport and food are substantially higher. The cost of food is about 20 per cent higher in remote areas, while the variety decreases and quality tends to be poorer. The level of education attained by an individual is an important determinant of workforce status and therefore income. Because income is universally associated with health status it is a matter of importance that, compared with those in major cities, regional/remote students have lower educational attainment. Secondary school completion rates are lower and progression to tertiary education is less common. The former is at least to some degree a product of the limited range of employment options outside major cities, while the latter in large part reflects the additional costs rural students must bear if they are to attend university far away from their family homes.

As a whole the three determinants, housing income and environment all impact the health of an individual.
With poor health the determinants have to be considered for the person to be treated in accordance. Income must be made a priority as it is the source of good health. This is needed by securing good income whether to be through job or business. This will then give sufficient funding to purchase good housing and thus making mental and physical health improve. Finally the environment in which a person lives will improve with a good job and a safe and quality living
environment.