Test 1 Review Flashcards
What are the 15 social determinants of health discussed?
1) Stress, Bodies & Illness
2) Income & Income Distribution
3) Education
4) Unemployment and Job Security
5) Employment and Working Conditions
6) Early Childhood Development
7) Food Insecurity
8) Housing
9) Social Exclusion
10) Social Safety Net
11) Health Services
12) Aboriginal Status
13) Gender
14) Race
15) Disability
Social Determinants of Health:
- Stress, Bodies and Illness
- Experiencing prolonged stress makes you vulnerable to illness and disease, and unhealthy coping choices
Policy Implications:
- Improve the living conditions people experience
ex: electing representatives that commit to implementing health policies
Social Determinants of Health:
- Income and Income Distribution
- Important social determinant of health – equal income distribution is best predictor of overall health of society
- Income shapes overall living conditions – Influences the ability to purchase basic needs and affects psychological functioning
ex: Suicide rates are higher in low income neighbourhoods.
Policy Implications:
- Increasing minimum wage and progressive taxation
Social Determinants of Health:
- Education
- Provides greater access to resources that bring change in society– better at disease prevention(autonomy to health) and more access in the employment market
- People with higher education tend to be healthier than those with lower educational attainment.
- May attribute to movement up the socioeconomic ladder
- High tuition fees can affect access to education – Scandanavian countries provide free post-secondary
Policy Implications:
- Elect representatives committed to funding Canadian education systems – to not exclude the low-income families from higher education
Social Determinants of Health:
- Unemployment and Job Security
- Lack of employment is associated with physical and mental health problems
- Unemployment can lead to material deprivation and loss of (employment) benefits offered by employers
- Losing a job is stressful, disrupts daily routine and can lead to unhealthy coping behaviors
- Rise in job insecurity in Canada in the past decade – forcing into pt work, seek employment with multiple jobs can lead to reduced health
Policy Implications:
- Provide better government support in training, employment oppurtunities and access to adequate income for the unemployed
Social Determinants of Health:
- Employment and Working Conditions
- Employment influences daily life and sense of identity
- High-stress jobs predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease and development of physical and psychological difficulties (depression, anxiety)
- High-strain jobs are common among low-income women – reporting high stress levels (too many demands/hours)
- Adverse working conditions, long hours of work and not feeling valued, no job control(freedom over how to do work) can lead to excess stress and increase in workplace injuries
Policy Implications:
- Collective and organized action through unions – balancing power b/w employers and employees
Social Determinants of Health:
- Early Childhood Development
- Early childhood experiences have strong immediate and longer lasting biological, psychological and social effects upon health
- Quality of early childhood developments is shaped by economic and social resources available to parents
- Access to regulated childcare is an important contributor to child well-being
Policy Implications:
- Governments guarantee to affordable and quality child care accessible for all families (regardless of wealth/income level)
Social Determinants of Health:
- Food Insecurity
- A barrier to adequate nutritional intake
- Experiencing food insecurity means inability to have an adequate diet (quality/quantity)
- Excellent predictor of Canadians reporting poor or fair health– ex: food insufficient households likely report having diabetes, high blood pressure etc.
Ex: Malnutrition during childhood has long term effect on a child’s physiological/psychological development
- Food banks exist as a consequence of failed public policies – last resort for food insecure households
Policy Implications:
- Public policies that reduce poverty – providing affordable housing and childcare would reduce other family expenses, leaving more money for acquiring an adequate diet
Social Determinants of Health:
- Housing
- an absolute necessity for living healthy life – ex: living in unsafe, unaffordable or insecure housing increases risks of many health problems
- Homelessness, overcrowding, and inadequately maintained homes allow for the transmission of illness and may lead to poor health and academic outcomes. Some aboriginal people live in homes lacking even basic sanitation and clean water.
Social Determinants of Health:
- Social Exclusion
- Refers to specific groups being denied the opportunity to participate in Canadian life.
- Social exclusion creates a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness and depression diminishing the possibilities of inclusion in society
- The marginalization and exclusion of individuals and communities from mainstream society
ex: affects people of race, gender and or disabilities
Policy Implications:
- Gov’t must enforce laws protecting the rights of minority groups concerning employment rights and anti-discrimination
Social Determinants of Health:
- Social Safety Net
- SSN is the range of benefits, programs and supports that protect citizens during carious life changes that can affect health.
- Protections and supports offered by Canadian government are not on par as most other industrialized wealthy nations– ex: Canada is among the lowest public spender on early childhood education and care
- Citizens experience better physical/mental health when they have a secure base for living a productive life.
ex of safety net: family allowances, childcare, unemployment insurance. health and social services and disability benefits… etc.
Policy Implications
- Social safety net provided by all levels of CDN. gov’t needs to be strengthen– current benefits don’t provide enough
Social Determinants of Health:
- Health Services
-
Social Determinants of Health:
- Aboriginal Status
- Average income of Aboriginal men/women are 58%/72% lower than non-Aboriginal men/women respectively
- Education levels differs between aboriginals and other Canadians
- Higher suicide rates,depression, problems with alcohol…
- 4x likely to life in crowded housing
Social Determinants of Health:
- Gender
- Women in Canada experience more adverse social determinants of health than men – commonly employed in low-income jobs and experience more discrimination in the workforce
- Less likely to work full-time therefor less likely to be eligible for unemployment benefits
- Canada has the greatest gap between men and women’s earnings
- Lack of affordable day-care in Canada– forcing women to stay at home and take on family responsibilities
- Single mothers at high risk of entering poverty because of lack of affordable daycare services and low-income employment
Social Determinants of Health:
- Race
- Racialized Canadians experience a whole range of adverse living circumstances that threaten their overall health
- Low income status affected immigrants in all education and age groups, including the university educated
- Recent immigrants of colour experience more mental health problems and greater incidence of housing and food insecurity than Cdns of European descent
Policy Implications:
- Gov’ts must enact laws and regulations that allow foreign-trained immigrants to practice their occupation in Canada
