2 - social determinants of health Flashcards
3 aspects of the social determinant of health definition
1 - the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age
2 - circumstances shaped by distribution of money, power and resources from local to global levels
3 - factors responsible for health inequities
examples of social determinants of health
food employment addiction poverty housing education ethnicity gender sexuality isolation
what is intersectionality
the belief that oppressions are interlinked and cannot be solved alone
examples of intersectionality
female, homeless person with a drug addiction
refugee living in a rural community
why is food a social determinant of health
- food is not available or affordable to all
- healthy diets can reduce CV disease and obesity
- malnutrition leads to deficiency syndromes
- food safety important –> microorganisms and viral contaminations can cause diseases eg. salmonella
why is employment a social determinant of health
- stress in the workplace increases risk of disease
- work related rewards (status/money) are important for self-esteem
- unemployment
- working hours
limitations of the medical model
treats symptoms and doesn’t focus on prevention
doesn’t always provide a cure
focusses on physical and organic components of illness and ignores social factors causing illness
how can gender be a social determinant of health
girls can be fed less, educated less, physically restricted
typically employed in lower jobs with lower pay
decisions are often made by men on their behalf
women require more support in terms of reproductive health and pregnancies
women after often restricted from healthcare access
transport as a social determinant of health
healthy transport = less driving, more walking/cycling
- increases exercise
- reduces pollution
- increases social interaction
- reduces fatal accidents
countries with better public transport/cycle lanes are seen as healthier
effects of stress on health
direct:
- long term stress hormone cortisol effects physiology of the body
- -> slower wound healing and susceptibility to infections
indirect:
- stress causes people to not prioritise health behaviours and develop negative coping behaviours (unhealthy eating, drinking)
3 major interventions for improving social determinant outcomes
education –> smaller classes, more funding to poorer schools
social-protection –> ‘health-related cash transfers’ and maternal education
urban development –> housing, transport and infrastructure improvements
define health
State of complete physical mental and social wellbeing- not just the absence of disease or infirmity
how is alcohol addiction a social determinant of health
increases accidents, violence, poisoning, injury and suicide
expensive –> therefore cannot afford food and shelter
