Social Determinants Of Health Essay

Social determinants of health are factors in the social environment that contribute to or detract from the health of individuals and communities. Social determinants of health have been found to directly increase the burden of heart disease and stroke, as well as their risk factors (CDC, 2017). In African-Americans the burden of disease is greatly increased, as studies have shown. This has led to the increased observed within this population.
African-Americans and Cardiovascular Disease and Its Importance to Health Profession
Numerous studies have been conducted over time on the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in African-Americans. These studies cover the symptoms, factors responsible for this condition, and many other areas. For instance, the study by Williams & Jewell (2012) report the effect of social stress, genetics, socio-economic status, among other factors on African-Americans, as well as the marked difference among other ethnic groups.
The increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among African-Americans has resulted in various advancements in the
For example, the study by Davis, Gebreab, Quarells, & Gibbons (2014) identified socioeconomic status (SES), general daily stress, racial discrimination, and stress due to exposure to racial discrimination, as some social determinants responsible for cardiovascular diseases in African-Americans. These social determinants act as underlying factors to the risk factors identified in cardiovascular disease - hypertension, diabetes, and obesity (Davis, Gebreab, Quarells, & Gibbons (2014). In addition to these ones, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) included poverty, unemployment, high school education, and health insurance as social determinants. These factors collectively contribute to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in