Chapter 2 Social Sources of Disease and Death Flashcards
Epidemiology Definition
Is the measure of disease outcomes in relation to a population at risk.
- Infectious diseases like TB and syphilis
- Non-infectious diseases like cancer, stroke, diabetes
Purpose:
Social Epidemiology
Examines social differences in health
- Includes the observation of social factors influencing health outcomes (SDOH)
Purpose of Epidemiology
- To look at the distribution and determinants of diseases and health problems in a population.
- Identify risk factors, then to target prevention and treatment of the disease
- Facilitate development of effective health programs and health services
- Prevention campaigns could target certain groups. Increased effectiveness of resources.
Epidemiological Transition
The shift from society with low life expectancy (burdened by infectious/parasitic diseases) to one with a high life expectancy
(burdened by chronic and degenerative diseases).
Life Expectancy
Has increased for men and women in Canada. 78 for men, and 83 for women.
Why has Life Expectancy increased?
Increased hygiene standards and the introduction of vaccines.
Why do people become ill?
Medical model approach: smoking causes lung cancer.
Many factors impact it (SDOH)
- men are more likely to smoke than women
- less educated are more likely to smoke than the highly educated
In order to understand the causes of illness in a population, you can’t focus on the individual. View structured inequality as an “upstream cause”
Critically examine the social arrangements that allow for these relationships to exist.
Population Health Model
Background:
- Lalonde report in 1974, the first time a government recognizes that health and medical care are distinct entities.
- 4 factors that influence human health
1. human biology
2. lifestyle
3. environment
4. medical care
Health Promotion
Lalonde Report introduced the term Health Promotion.
Health promotion: the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health.
Weaknesses: individualizing and depoliticizing
Population Health
The health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group. Aims to improve health of an entire human population.
Population Health Model
Explains the relationship between population health and health promotion.
“The population health approach can be implemented through actions on the full range of health determinants by means of health promotion strategies.”
Weaknesses:
- What happens when the goals of wealth creation (prosperity) conflict with the goal of improving population health. eg, asbestos mines
Stress Process (3)
3 parts 1. Stressors 2. Moderators 3. Health outcomes Strengths: - researchers have shown that stressors are socially patterned which enriches understanding - connections between all 3 are made Weaknesses: - doesn't explain why some social groups are more prone to certain outcomes.
Stressors in the Stress Process
Refers to the broad range of problematic conditions and experiences that challenge how well an individual can adapt.
a. Stressful life events: discrete events.
b. Chronic strains: no moment of onset, only slowly recognized as a problem.
Important to differentiate the two because it can help identify source of the problem and potential solution.
Moderators in the Stress Process
The resources that can be gathered to combat stressors and minimize their impact on health.
Critical because not everyone who experiences a stressor will go on to develop health problems.
Coping: psychological and personal resources
Social Support: emotional support and assistance that one obtains from others.
Health Outcomes in the Stress Process
Physical health outcomes are being linked to the stress process. (Heart attacks related to social causes like stress).
