Social Determinants of Health

 Intro:

 This includes such factors as where we live (our neighborhoods), the quality of our homes and access to public services, how much money we make and our ability to earn a living wage, whether we have food security, access to quality healthcare, and education services, etc. Because of this, it’s clear that multiple factors contribute to our health status as individuals, which means there is no one size fits all solution to improving it in today’s complex world.

 

Socioeconomic Status

All societies have some form of socioeconomic class structure, though these are not universal. The most common form is a three-tiered system composed of the upper class, middle class, and lower class. Socioeconomic status refers to where you fit in that structure, based on your income level and education level; if you’re in a low SES group, it means your economic options are limited compared to those who have higher SES. These limitations can have an effect on health behaviors and outcomes—for example, being poor could lead to less healthy food choices or being unable to afford preventive care services such as vaccines or screening tests. Being in a high SES group would mean having access to better jobs with more opportunities for advancement as well as an increased likelihood of receiving preventive care services. In addition, people with high SES tend to live in safer neighborhoods with greater access to quality medical care and nutritious foods. Although there is a strong relationship between poverty and poor health outcomes, it’s important to note that there are many exceptions—some people from low SES groups may be healthier than their wealthier counterparts.

 

Education, Credentials, and Occupation

In many developed countries, education and professional qualifications are major markers of social status. In America for example, research has shown that having a high school diploma can make you up to 40% more likely to earn a good income and be in good health, while a college degree can boost your earning potential by as much as 70%. And while a C average isn’t all that uncommon in American schools, living in poverty is. Children who grow up below their state’s poverty line are 10 times more likely to drop out before finishing high school than their wealthier peers. And even if they do graduate from high school, they’re still less likely to complete a four-year degree.

 

Geographic Location

Where you live will be one of the most important determinants of your health. The correlation between poor access to healthcare and income levels is staggering. It’s been estimated that over 90% of doctors live in higher-income neighborhoods, which creates a serious gap for those who need medical attention the most. Even when it comes to education, location can make all (or most) of a difference. Children growing up in lower-income areas are more likely to drop out or be suspended from school compared with wealthier areas, which ultimately impacts their future earning potential and ability to obtain good healthcare. Finally, let’s not forget about cleanliness. Research has shown time and again that sanitation issues can have major consequences on health—even contributing to infectious diseases like typhoid fever. And while you might think poverty is mainly an issue overseas, consider America: low-income areas here have been found to have high rates of depression, violence, teen pregnancy, substance abuse…you name it! All things considered, where you live should certainly play a role in how healthy you are as an adult.

 

Race, Ethnicity, Immigration Status, National Origin

The race and ethnicity that a person identifies with are often determined by skin color. However, in America, it also is linked to cultural traditions. For example, an African American will be identified as such even if they have only one black grandparent (regardless of racial identity). The same goes for Latinos: anyone who can trace their ancestry back to Latin America will be called Latino or Hispanic even if they don’t share any traits common with those groups or identify with those groups culturally. Immigration status can also determine social determinants of health because some non-citizens may not have access to healthcare or other services due to their legal status.

 

Gender

One social determinant that has a huge impact on health is gender. Even though women make up half of the population, they are more likely to suffer from diseases such as heart disease and depression. This is mainly due to women being denied access to healthcare, as well as many other factors like body image issues, which lead to eating disorders and social isolation. While some argue that these inequalities stem from biology, it’s impossible to ignore all of the outside factors that influence how a person interacts with their environment and treats their own body. It’s important not just for men but for everyone in society to be aware of gender inequality and its effects so we can begin to implement change. 

 

Age

Your age also affects your risk for heart disease, but more and more it’s viewed as a kind of catch-all category for many other factors, such as stress and socioeconomic status. Age is also often overlooked when it comes to heart health—yet if you’re in your 50s or older, it’s important to know that you face a greater chance of developing dangerous conditions like plaque buildup and coronary artery disease. In fact, these are some of the most common ailments in people over 50 years old. If you want to lower your chances for heart-related ailments as you get older, focus on preventing conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) by eating well and exercising regularly.

 

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity

Whether you’re talking about sexual orientation or gender identity, these terms refer to how people think and feel about their sex—whether they identify as male, female, some combination of both, or neither. More importantly, however, gender identity refers to whether a person identifies with or feels comfortable in his or her own body. For instance, in most cases if you have XY chromosomes (male), then your doctor will certify that you are male; similarly for XX chromosomes (female). Sexual orientation—or sexual preference—refers to who we are sexually attracted. So when people talk about whether you should be with men (gay) or women (straight), they’re really asking who do you want to be intimate with?

Social Determinants of Health Explained