Social Determinants of Health

Question 1

how does the physical environment impact our health?

Answer 1

• access to our physical environment affects our mental and physical health
• temperature/weather - extremes of heat and cold
  
  • more intense wildfires, floods, natural disasters
• air quality - pollution can impact our health and lungs in the short and long term
  
  • respiratory disease is the top health impact of climate change
• pandemic - affects social, physical, and mental wellbeing

Question 2

what are the main changes in our physical environment?

Answer 2

• polar vortex
• droughts
• wildfires
• hurricanes

Question 3

how has the polar vortex changed?

Answer 3

• large area of low pressure and cold air
• strengthens in the winter to keep cold air in the poles
• when the polar vortex weakens, cold air moves away from the poles and to other places
  
  • can explain why Canada has become colder

Question 4

what are social determinants of health?

Answer 4

• how your society views and values you, can influence your health
• relate to an individual’s place in society (income, education, employment, identity)
• experiences of discrimination, racism and historical trauma are important social determinants of health
  
  • especially for Indigenous peoples, LGBTQ, and Black Canadians

Question 5

what are four key social determinants?

Answer 5

1. income
2. employment and working conditions
3. education and literacy
4. social support and coping - resiliency

Question 6

how is income a social determinant of health?

Answer 6

• wealthier people can afford to change their environment
• they can afford things like air conditioning
• they are able to relocate more easily
• they are able to have clean access to water and air (filters)
• they can repair any damage done to their environment more easily

Question 7

how are employment/working conditions a social determinant of health?

Answer 7

• farmland affected by droughts and extreme weather
• some roles increase, like firefighters
• healthcare workers affected in natural disasters, pandemics
• anybody who works outdoors is affected by air pollution and extreme weather

Question 8

how is education a social determinant of health?

Answer 8

• people with education may understand the effects of climate change better
  
  • also make changes that can reduce the impact of climate change
• severe weather disasters can affect schools as well
  
  • can be seen very differently in high vs. low income countries
  • ex. COVID and our ability to switch to zoom, vs. low income countries with no wifi
• WHO suggested that the biggest solution to the climate change problem is education

Question 9

how does gender interact with social determinant of health?

Answer 9

• it is more common for women to drop out of education and work during climate crises
• women play a significant role in obtaining food, water and fuel for their families
• limited access to essential resources (menstrual products, sanitary conditions)
• increased vulnerability is experienced by Indigenous, Afro-descendent women and girls, elderly women, LGBTIQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, and those living in rural/remote as well as disaster-prone contexts
• multiple minorities are significantly more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change

Question 10

what is environmental racism

Answer 10

• racial discrimination in environmental policies and law enforcement
• communities of color are often targeted for toxic waste sites
• harmful pollutants are allowed in these communities, posing health risks
• people of color have been historically excluded from leadership in environmental movements

Question 11

how does health equity and social justice come into play with climate change?

Answer 11

• the people who are most impacted by climate change are the people who contribute least to the causes of climate change
  
  • they are also the least able to protect themselves from the impacts
• need to incorporate the voices of people who are the most impacted by climate change
  
  • need to always include indigenous people in the conversation since they know how to live sustainable and in sync with the environment