social determinants of health and healthcare delivery Flashcards
What are the social determinants of health (SDoH)?
Factors related to where a person was born, lives, or works that may influence health, functioning, or quality of life.
These include income, type of work, education level, and neighbourhood conditions.
List the five defined SDoH domains.
- Healthcare access and quality
- Social and community context
- Neighbourhood and environment
- Education
- Economic stability
What influences healthcare access and quality?
Medical insurance, health literacy, and socio-economic status.
These factors can directly affect an individual’s ability to receive timely and appropriate healthcare.
What is a health outcome?
A change in the health status of an individual, group, or population attributable to planned interventions.
Health outcomes measure the effectiveness of care or interventions on health status.
How do socio-economic and cultural factors influence healthcare access?
They create barriers to accessing care
* Structural inequalities lead to disparities in health, with marginalized groups often experiencing worse outcomes,
Culture affects how people take care of their health and deal with illness.
* People from different cultures have unique health practices, such as specific diets or using traditional medicine.
* Some cultures prefer natural or spiritual healing, while others trust modern medical treatments.
* Healthcare providers need to understand and respect cultural differences to build trust with patients and give them the best care. leading to inequalities in health.
This is particularly evident in contexts with high levels of inequality, such as South Africa.
True or False: Health outcomes are only affected by healthcare services.
False.
Health outcomes are influenced by a range of social, economic, and environmental factors as well.
thanks
Fill in the blank: ___________ is defined by the highest formal education and qualification of an individual.
Education
What role does culture play in healthcare seeking?
It shapes perceptions of health and illness, influencing delays in seeking medical help.
Culture affects how people take care of their health and deal with illness.
* People from different cultures have unique health practices, such as specific diets or using traditional medicine.
* Some cultures prefer natural or spiritual healing, while others trust modern medical treatments.
Cultural beliefs can affect trust in healthcare providers and the understanding of disease.
What is the socio-ecological model?
discuss in 4 sub-topics with 2points each sub-topic
A framework for understanding the interactions between health, illness, and societal structures.
Health and Illness in a Social Context
Health is influenced by income, education, housing, and healthcare access.
Structural inequalities lead to health disparities, especially for marginalized groups.
Social Perceptions of Disease
Stigma around illnesses like HIV/AIDS and mental health delays treatment.
Media and public discourse shape disease narratives, sometimes spreading misinformation.
Role of Culture in Health and Illness
Cultural beliefs affect health behaviors, from diet to traditional healing.
Cultural competence in healthcare improves patient care and treatment effectiveness.
Societal Structures and Institutions
Healthcare systems, education, and government policies impact health equity.
Public health interventions and insurance schemes help address disparities.
as long as your discussion runs along these lines
It emphasizes the influence of social context on health outcomes.
How do indigenous beliefs affect healthcare in rural communities?
They can compete with biomedical services and influence health-seeking behavior. this delays the behavior to seek health care and may worsen the health outcome.
Healthcare providers need to understand and respect cultural differences to build trust with patients and give them the best care.
Indigenous medicine is sometimes viewed negatively but can play a vital role in community health.
What are the implications of understanding social determinants of health for policymakers?
It helps design effective integrated primary healthcare strategies.
Recognizing the root causes of ill health can lead to better health outcomes.
What factors contribute to differences in healthcare-seeking behavior among cultural groups? discuss in 8 ppoints
Cultural Beliefs and Traditions – Some cultures prioritize traditional healing methods (e.g., herbal medicine, spiritual healing) over modern medical treatments.
Health Literacy – Understanding of diseases, symptoms, and treatment options varies across cultures, affecting when and how people seek care.
Trust in Healthcare Systems – Historical experiences, discrimination, or negative encounters with healthcare providers may lead to distrust and reluctance to seek medical help.
Stigma and Social Perceptions – Some conditions, such as mental illness or reproductive health issues, may carry stigma in certain cultures, leading to delayed or avoided treatment.
Language and Communication Barriers – Limited proficiency in the dominant language can prevent individuals from accessing healthcare or understanding medical advice.
Financial and Accessibility Constraints – Economic status, health insurance coverage, and the availability of nearby healthcare facilities affect whether individuals seek care.
Gender and Family Roles – In some cultures, women may need permission from male family members to seek care, or elders may have a greater influence on health decisions.
Religious Beliefs – Some religious views may discourage medical interventions, promote faith-based healing, or influence decisions on treatments like vaccinations and surgeries.
Critically discuss why foot health and complications are experienced differently by groups from different social contexts.
oot health and related complications vary across different social groups due to factors such as socioeconomic status, occupation, cultural practices, and access to healthcare. These disparities affect the prevalence, severity, and management of foot conditions.
- Socioeconomic Status and Healthcare Access
Lower-income groups often have limited access to podiatric care, leading to late diagnosis and worsened foot conditions (e.g., untreated ulcers in diabetic patients).
Wealthier individuals can afford regular check-ups, custom orthotics, and specialized treatments, reducing the risk of complications. - Occupational and Environmental Factors
Manual laborers and factory workers are more prone to foot injuries, plantar fasciitis, and calluses due to prolonged standing or wearing unsafe footwear.
Office workers may experience fewer work-related foot problems but could still develop conditions like bunions or flat feet due to sedentary lifestyles and improper footwear choices. - Cultural and Traditional Practices
Some cultures promote walking barefoot or in unsupportive footwear (e.g., flip-flops), increasing the risk of foot deformities, infections, and injuries.
Foot-binding in historical China or wearing narrow, pointed shoes in some societies has led to long-term structural damage and mobility issues. - Prevalence of Chronic Diseases
Communities with high rates of diabetes (e.g., certain ethnic minorities) face a greater risk of diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and amputations due to poor blood circulation and neuropathy.
Obesity, more common in lower-income groups due to limited access to healthy food and exercise, increases foot pressure, plantar fasciitis, and joint degeneration. - Health Education and Awareness
Groups with higher health literacy are more likely to seek preventive care, wear proper footwear, and manage conditions early.
Lack of foot health awareness in certain communities leads to neglect, self-treatment, or reliance on traditional remedies, sometimes worsening the condition.
Conclusion
Social context plays a crucial role in shaping foot health outcomes. Addressing inequalities in healthcare access, occupational risks, cultural influences, and chronic disease management is essential in reducing foot-related complications and improving overall well-being.
These factors can lead to varying experiences and outcomes in foot health.
