Module 5b Flashcards
Definition: Determinants of Health
the many factors that shape/influence health and illness either directly or indirectly
Aboriginal determinants of health
13 determinants divided into 3 levels
1) Proximal
2) Intermediate
3) Distal
1) Proximal
health behaviours, physical environments, employment & income, education, food security
2) Intermediate
- health care systems, educational systems, community infrastructure, resources, & capacities, cultural continuity, etc.
3) Distal
colonialism, racism & social exclusion, self determination
Social Determinants of Health: A Canadian Perspective
11 DETERMINANTS
early life education employment and working conditions food security housing health care services income and its distribution social safety net social exclusion unemployment and employment security Aboriginal status, gender, immigrant status
The Solid Facts – an international perspective
10 DETERMINANTS
the social gradient stress early life social exclusion work food unemployment social support addiction transport
Canadian Senate report (2009) includes 13 determinants
4 major types
Socio-economic Determinants of Health
Biology and Genetics
Physical Environment
Health Care system
Socio-economic Determinants of Health (10)
early childhood development education employment/working conditions culture gender housing social environment personal health practices income & social status social support networks
- Early childhood development
critical age to guard against later life adverse health outcomes: pregnancy through to age 6 yrs
- Education
Closely tied to socio-economic status
Effective education for children and life-long learning for adults is important
- Employment/working conditions
- buy food, shelter
- gives people identity, purpose in life
FRENCH PARADOX
The French paradox – people in France eat rich food, drink, even smoke, but they are healthier than Americans
… the reason: high levels of employment and job security, long & regular vacations, stability & security (at least for the middle class) … although some scholars indicate this may be changing
Culture
The way of life developed by a group of people which members acquire….that which is totally learned and it includes language, concepts, beliefs and values, symbols, structure, institutions and patterns of behaviour. A person’s culture may or may not be the same as his or her ethnic origin or identity”
- Personal health practices
Consider what informed decisions you make daily about what you eat, what you drink, how much sleep you get, how much exercise you do, how often you have a dental exam, how often you have a complete physical examination done by your doctor, etc.
