Environmental Factors On Health Behavious Of Cultural Groups

Question 1

How does Geographical location influence health behaviours

Answer 1

•Disease occurs in patterns based on geographical location
E.g. The spread of diabetes throughout the world is more prevalent in rich, developed countries and in countries that have a culture that overindulges in unhealthy behaviours such as the USA
•Diabetes is caused in part by increasing obesity rates (ie unhealthy diet and lack of exercise)
•Walkability, sprawl, absents of parks/green spaces, fast food and alcohol vendors, and availability of fitness centres are all due to geographical location

Question 2

Influence of Social networks

Answer 2

•Can work for good or bad – encourage healthy or unhealthy behaviours, depending on the norms and culture of the social group.
•Pass info on by word of mouth
•Examples: discuss topics such as discouraging smoking, promoting physical activity, and preventing the spread of STIs.
•Provide social support – can improve dimensions of health
•Populations that may have less access to social networks include the elderly, people living in rural or remote areas, homeless or unemployed, people, with a mental illness.