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Determinants of health and how it affects people
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Blum’s Model on Determinants of Health We all know or heard about health problems that are on the rise in our communities: Diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and obesity… and we all know what is causing these problems: lack of good nutrition (not enough fruit and vegetables in our meals), inactivity, smoking, long hours in the office, stress and drinking. But, are we doing enough to stop the rising number of health problems? And is the lack of access to quality medical services is as crucial to our health and well-being as we think? In 1974, Blum proposed the “Determinants of Health" model, categorizing all factors that may affect our health into four main fields: The environment the biggest contributor to our health followed by life style as the second big contributor, then heredity (Genetics) as the third factor, then the fourth and last factor impacting individual 's health and well-being as an access to health care services. Let 's talk about this model and each field and its effects on our health in some more details… 1. The Environment. The major contributor field in Blum 's model and it compasses several forceful factors on any individual 's health, including the physical, socioeconomics, socio-political and …show more content…
Although there is so little that can be done to change those inherited genes that an individual may have, scientific research has proved that for every possible disease affecting humans ' well-being there is a genetic component where the body responds. The main point in genetics reactions is whether we activate a gene response or we keep it inactive by following healthy lifestyle choices. The science and research on genetics is expanding and this field will help in the development and advances of health science, which will greatly contribute to the enhancement of individuals ' well-being (Durch, Bailey, and Stoto
According to the World Health Organisation (2017) the social determinants of health are defined as the conditions where people are born, grown, work and live, which also includes the health system. The social determinants of health determined populations health’s outcomes and therefore linked with health inequalities (WHO, 2017)
...hich inherited traits, such as those for genetic disease, can be tracked over generations. Throughout out the course of human development, scientists will continue to find new new ways to help the human race through the discovery of the human gene inside of each of us, its uses, as well as complications, that can help the survival of our species.
Although very divergent in their focus, the existing theoretical models seem to have some similarities and differences. This is especially true in regard to their factors of analysis when considering social determinants of health. For example, Krieger’s ecosocial theory encompasses and acknowledges the roles of social and psychosocial processes of disease process (WHO 2010).
Explain the relationship between factors and affecting health and wellbeing Heath care practitioners will research the links between certain public health issues and possible causes, triggers or individuals lifestyle choices for example smoking or eating a high cholesterol diet. They do this to be able to advise individuals and prevent them from getting the illness or to find ways on how to treat the illness because they have gained a better understanding of where it comes from. For example researchers found that there was a link between elderly people being susceptible to the flu because their immune system was weaker, to prevent them from getting the virus they would have been immunised and keep away from possibly being exposed to the virus.
Wilkinson, R.G. & Marmot, M.G. 2003, Social determinants of health: the solid facts, World Health Organization.
Genetics can predetermine many things for an individual but health and prevention can aid in the prevention of the expression of some genes. This is why it is important for healthcare providers to promote their patient’s awareness of what he or she is at risk for so that they can live the healthiest life possible. It is much easier to prevent a disease than it is to cure one. As healthcare providers it is our responsibility to cure illnesses, sure, but more importantly it is our responsibility to prevent disease and increase our patient’s quality of
Name the theory and carefully explain how this theory and its constructs are fit to address this health issue.
According to healthypeople.gov, a person’s ability to access health services has a profound effect on every aspect of his or her health, almost 1 in 4 Americans do not have a primary care provider or a health center where they can receive regular medical services. Approximately 1 in 5 A...
This model considers other aspects of an individual 's life such as their culture and environment. Unlike the biomedical model, the social model tries to prevent the disease in the first place, so it focuses more on educating people and health promotion. The biomedical looks at an individual’s physical disease but the social model also looks at a person’s well-being. According to Stephan Sutton, Andrew Baum and Marie Johnston (2004) the SAGE Handbook of Health psychology ‘a combination of high psychological demands, such as time pressure and low decision latitude increases the risk of psychophysiological stress reactions and subsequent ill
Over the years, the social determinants of health (SDOH) have been receiving more attention due to its importance in determining peoples’ health access, health quality and health outcome. The social determinants of health have been described by various scholars as the situation or environmental condition in which people are born, or where they grow, live and work; unfortunately these conditions have continued to affect and determine people’s ability to access proper care.1-5 In other words, the SDOH continues to consciously and unconsciously influence people’s access to most opportunities in life including access to healthcare services both in developed and developing countries.2 This issues have continue to deteriorate in most developing countries increasing people’s susceptibility to multi-morbidity among different age groups, with a slight increase among the elderly.6
The uncertain nature of chronic illness takes many forms, but all are long-term and cannot be cured. The nature of chronic illness raises hesitation. It can disturb anyone, irrespective of demographics or traditions. It fluctuates lives and generates various inquiries for the patient. Chronic illness few clear features involve: long-lasting; can be managed but not cured; impacts quality of life; and contribute to stress. Chronic illnesses can be enigmatic. They often take considerable time to identify, they are imperceptible and often carry a stigma because there is little sympathetic or social support. Many patients receive inconsistent diagnoses at first and treatments deviate on an individual level. Nevertheless, some circumstances require
(Williams and Bendelow, 1998). The social model of health looks at factors such as; the social, environmental, economic and cultural factors which are the broader influences on health instead of diseases and injuries. ‘the social model locates people in social contexts, conceptualizes the physical environment as socially organized, and understands ill health as a process of interaction between people and their environments’ (Broom, 1991, 52). Social model of health perceives health and illness in different ways other than just medical facts, by looking at the broader factors that can cause ill health or be the source of you being ill such as; being in poverty; having poor housing, job-related stress, pollution, family, employment status, working conditions, health services, housing, environmental pollution, friends, income, education, social life, national food deprived neighbourhoods as well as poor life choices, these factors can shape your physical along with your mental health and it is not just science that can shape our physical and mental
Technological advancement has often outperformed scientific knowledge associated with the causes that determine health. Increasing complications in social organization increase the possibilities by which multiple agents can disturb health, including factors such as those that risk physical health like venomous chemicals or radiation, restricted access to sanitary and pure natural resources, and the infinite amalgamation of them all. Decisions taken in areas apparently detached from health frequently have the prospect to have an impact on people’s health in either positive or negative manner due to a large number of links and connections in modern life. Health is an area comprised of highly intricate systems, which can be accidentally disturbed in unpredictable ways and end up in adverse health concerns that may be serious and irrevocable.
The WHO definition of non-medical determinants of health is: “… the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.”
When people think of the term health most of the time people think of it in terms of the physical aspect. But, really the term health is made up from several different terms such as class, race, gender, education, and income which can all affect a person 's health in many different ways. A person 's health can be affected positively and negatively because of different social determinants.