Occupation As A Determinant of Health

Question 1

Occupation & Health: Are they one and the same?
- Dr. Ann Wilcock (2007)

Answer 1

• The importance of occupational science:
• Key aspects of argument “doing, being, becoming and belonging are essential to survival and health’ (p.5)
• Relationship between health & lifestyle
• Health promotion

“…lay in its potential to challenge socio-political policies at the highest level to improve the physical, mental and social health of all people and achieve great change to the benefit of humankind. (p.3)

Question 2

Dr. Ann Wilcock (2007) claimed that .ust because these spaces exist does not mean they are easily accessible. Give examples of 4 barriers are beyond people’s power?

Answer 2

• Time
• Feeling safe in the space?
• Transportation
• Mobility

Question 3

OS & OT Models, Frameworks, & Practice Processes
Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model of Occupational Performance?

Answer 3

• Person, cultural background, personality, identities, marginalisation
• Environment, physical, cultural, economic, institutional
• Occupation, groups of tasks you engage in to meet your needs

Vendiagemram, the more they overlap the easier it gets to complete these aspects

Question 4

Occupation and Place in Community Health
Townsend et al. 2009?

Answer 4

• Space & place shape occupational engagement
• Links between occupation & place should be considered when organising health services
• Consider how social determinants of health influence what people do in particular places
• Consider processes of social inclusion & exclusion

My reflections:
- Individuals tend to be blamed for their health outcomes, Townsend argues that environmental and structural barriers are often overlooked.
- What are the factors that are contributing to their current lifestyle?
- Example, there is no ramp, or only wheelchair access from the back so it takes them longer.
- Stigma: other people’s assumptions around disability, mental illness, substance use -> psyc perspective Justify injustices uphold the view that the world is a “fair place” blame individual but overlook structural barriers

Question 5

Discussion of Townsend et al. 2009?

Answer 5

• Social determinants of health can restrict participation
• Environmental and place-specific limitations on occupation can lead to restrictions in social participation, marginalisation and social exclusion
• Place provides a shared context for people and their occupational engagement