Social determinants of health such as poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism are underlying, contributing factors of health inequities. …
Improve the conditions of daily life
—the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age.
How does determinants of health affect health?
Social determinants of health reflect
the social factors and physical conditions of the environment in which people are born, live, learn, play, work, and age
. Also known as social and physical determinants of health, they impact a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes.
Different social determinants of health affect patient wellness
by limiting patient access to key health and lifestyle resources
. … The social determinants of health could affect whether a patient obtained and maintained wellness, regardless of the quality of care they would receive during a clinical encounter.
Access to food – nutritious food, specifically – is regarded as a key social determinant of health that has a
direct impact on a patient’s wellbeing
. Individuals who cannot afford or obtain quality food rich in vitamins run the risk of developing chronic illnesses or exacerbating illnesses they may already have.
An individual’s social environment can
negatively affect a person’s health leading to obesity, mental health problems
, and a higher risk of diseases. … A poor social environment can make a person feel anxious and stressed, which in the long-term can lead to physical medical conditions.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are
conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of life-risks and outcomes
.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) have a major impact on people’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Examples of SDOH include: Safe housing, transportation, and
neighborhoods
.
Racism
, discrimination, and violence.
By contrast, the many social determinants of health play a much bigger role in influencing a person’s health, making up
80–90% of the contributing factors
.
Addressing social determinants of health is important
for improving health and reducing health disparities
. … Addressing social determinants of health is not only important for improving overall health, but also for reducing health disparities that are often rooted in social and economic disadvantages.
What are the factors that affect health?
To a large extent, factors such as
where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family
all have considerable impacts on health, whereas the more commonly considered factors such as access and use of health care services often have less of …
- Partnerships with community groups, public health and local leaders. …
- Using clinical experience and research evidence to advocate for social change. …
- Getting involved in community needs assessment and health planning. …
- Community engagement, empowerment and changing social norms.
Social health is
the ability of individuals to form healthy and rewarding interpersonal relationships with others
. Good social health looks like: Adapting to social situations. Staying true to yourself in all situations. Balancing your social and personal time.
Health literacy is a
social determinant of health amenable to change through interventions
(The Tavistock Institute and Shared Intelligence, 2009; Berkman et al., 2011).
How does socioeconomic factors affect health?
Factors linked to socioeconomic status, such as poverty and poor education, are hugely important
in predicting health outcomes
. … Comparatively, high blood pressure, obesity and high alcohol consumption were associated with fewer life years lost (1.6, 0.7 and 0.5 years, respectively) than low SES.
- Income. Income, or how much money we have, can determine where we live, food we buy, and our recreational activities. …
- Education. …
- Social Connections. …
- Housing. …
- Food Security. …
- Building Capacity For Equity.
Healthcare providers can address social determinants of health through five approaches—
awareness, adjustment, assistance, alignment, and advocacy
, according to a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Social determinants of health refer to a specific group of social and economic factors within the broader determinants of health. These relate to
an individual’s place in society
, such as income, education or employment.
Housing, social services, geographical location, and education
are some of the most common social determinants of health. These factors have a significant impact on the current healthcare landscape. As more healthcare organizations deliver value-based healthcare, they are developing strategies to drive wellness care.
Residents of impoverished neighborhoods or communities are at
increased risk for mental illness
,
22 , 23
chronic disease,
17 , 24
higher mortality, and lower life expectancy. Some population groups living in poverty may have more adverse health outcomes than others.
Why is it important to know the factors affecting your health?
There are many different factors that can affect your health. These include things like
housing, financial security, community safety, employment, education and the environment
. … It’s widely accepted that these factors contribute to significant levels of health inequality.
Social determinants of health, defined as the circumstances in which people live and work, have a
strong effect on an individual’s health outcomes
. … Through their interaction and advocacy for patients, nurses contribute to patient outcomes and population health management results.
According to the CDC, it has been well-established that poverty inhibits access to healthy foods and safe neighborhoods, and that higher levels of education influence better health. … Negative social determinants of health can impact both an
individual’s knowledge about healthcare and resources
, and limit access to them.
How does cultural factors affect health?
The influence of culture on health is vast. It affects
perceptions of health, illness and death, beliefs about causes of disease
, approaches to health promotion, how illness and pain are experienced and expressed, where patients seek help, and the types of treatment patients prefer.
How does language affect health and wellbeing?
Language barriers
contribute to reducing both patient and medical provider satisfaction
, as well as communication between medical providers and patients. Patients who face language barriers are more likely to consume more healthcare services
2
and experience more adverse events.
Income is perhaps the most important social determinant of health. Level of income
shapes overall living conditions
, affects psychological functioning and influences health-related behaviours such as quality of diet, extent of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol use.
How does health literacy affect the accessibility of health services?
Health literacy plays a part in the safety and quality of health care. It can influence decisions people make, such as how often to take medication, when
to access health care services
, and which services to access.
Treating others with respect
.
Maintaining and building strong relationships with friends
.
Creating healthy boundaries
that help with communication, trust and conflict management. Turning to friends and family for support.
Social wellness is important, because
the positive effects of developing and maintaining healthy relationships are endless
. People who are socially well enjoy huge health benefits and might even live longer. … A healthy social life can enhance the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases.
What economic factors affect health care?
Factors, such as
employment, community safety, income, housing, transportation, educational attainment, social support, and discrimination
account for roughly 40% of all health. These factors are significantly more influential of one’s health than clinical care.
They include
access to healthcare and education, the environment, economic opportunity, and social factors such as social support and discrimination
. These social and economic barriers to health are closely linked to health inequalities, as well.
In essence, if an
individual needs assistance with aspects of their daily living and require care within a safe and secure environment
, these can be considered to be social needs. This could include help with washing and dressing, assistance at mealtimes, help with mobilising, etc.
How does socioeconomic affect health and wellbeing?
Socioeconomic factors are important determinants of health and wellbeing in Australia. … In general, people from
lower socioeconomic groups are at greater risk of poor health
, have higher rates of illness, disability and death, and live shorter lives than those from higher groups (Mackenbach 2015).