Contents Page
Page 3: Introduction
Page 4: The Podcast
Page 4: What the social determinants of health are?
Page 5-10: How is overall health and wellness influenced by our surroundings and society?
Page 11-12: How apartheid, contributed access to equitable opportunities to health and wellness
Page 12: Conclusion
Page 13-14: Bibliography
Page 3: Introduction
Page 4: The Podcast
Page 4: What the social determinants of health are?
Page 5-10: How is overall health and wellness influenced by our surroundings and society?
Page 11-12: How apartheid, contributed access to equitable opportunities to health and wellness
Page 12: Conclusion
Page 13-14: Bibliography
Introduction
The purpose of this assessment is to write an opinionated essay on the topic of Social Determinants of Health with my own perspectives in the community that I reside in. Before proceeding with the essay, I am required to listen to a recorded podcast by Tom Ward when he presented his views and perspectives on the Social Determinants of Health at the TEDx show at Spring Hill College in November 2018 (Ward, 2018). I then have to do research and go into more detail about the topic at hand to expand my knowledge and understanding. I firmly believe that the South African Government is to take the initiative to promote health and safety which is beneficial for a longer duration of living, paying much more attention to the individuals that are currently living in poverty with many disadvantages. The fight has been an ongoing process ever since and even before the apartheid era, whereby underprivileged citizens were fighting for equal rights on health determinants, amongst other issues.
The purpose of this assessment is to write an opinionated essay on the topic of Social Determinants of Health with my own perspectives in the community that I reside in. Before proceeding with the essay, I am required to listen to a recorded podcast by Tom Ward when he presented his views and perspectives on the Social Determinants of Health at the TEDx show at Spring Hill College in November 2018 (Ward, 2018). I then have to do research and go into more detail about the topic at hand to expand my knowledge and understanding. I firmly believe that the South African Government is to take the initiative to promote health and safety which is beneficial for a longer duration of living, paying much more attention to the individuals that are currently living in poverty with many disadvantages. The fight has been an ongoing process ever since and even before the apartheid era, whereby underprivileged citizens were fighting for equal rights on health determinants, amongst other issues.
The Podcast
According to Tom Ward (Ward, 2018), the social determinants of health include the accessibility of basic health care, insurance, annual medical check-ups, amongst a whole lot more. The fight for equal health care started with the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States of America, in association with groups, such as the Black Panther, with created health clinics for the blacks and less fortunate(Ward, 2018).
According to Tom Ward (Ward, 2018), the social determinants of health include the accessibility of basic health care, insurance, annual medical check-ups, amongst a whole lot more. The fight for equal health care started with the Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States of America, in association with groups, such as the Black Panther, with created health clinics for the blacks and less fortunate(Ward, 2018).
What the social determinants of health are?
According to Anita Rieder (Rieder, 2009), food, basic health care, source of heat, proper housing and water supply, sanitation, and good malnutrition are essentials part of the social determinants of health to prevent danger and diseases from insects, parasites, and animals. These are to find out about any medical conditions that underprivileged individuals face and are not attended to(Pwc, 2019). The determinants are to also find solutions for pollution levels, sewage replacement and safety in general within the communities. Education and job opportunity is also an essential part for the community to have access to.
According to Anita Rieder (Rieder, 2009), food, basic health care, source of heat, proper housing and water supply, sanitation, and good malnutrition are essentials part of the social determinants of health to prevent danger and diseases from insects, parasites, and animals. These are to find out about any medical conditions that underprivileged individuals face and are not attended to(Pwc, 2019). The determinants are to also find solutions for pollution levels, sewage replacement and safety in general within the communities. Education and job opportunity is also an essential part for the community to have access to.
How is overall health and wellness influenced by our surroundings and society?
Even in the wealthiest countries, the privileged individuals live many more years longer and have fewer illnesses than the underprivileged(Cities, 1998). These differences in health are essential to bring upon justice and equality for all individuals, and also to find about some of the health and wellness influences had from the society and surrounding. People's way of living and circumstances in which they live and work in strongly influence their health in the long run, also determining how long they will live.
Even in the wealthiest countries, the privileged individuals live many more years longer and have fewer illnesses than the underprivileged(Cities, 1998). These differences in health are essential to bring upon justice and equality for all individuals, and also to find about some of the health and wellness influences had from the society and surrounding. People's way of living and circumstances in which they live and work in strongly influence their health in the long run, also determining how long they will live.
1. Stress
Social and psychological situations may prolong stress for a long-term period. Continued episodes of anxiety, insecurity and lack of control over work and home life influences on health(Influences on Your Health, n.d.). Such social and psychological risks build up during the different stages of life and enhances the chances of poor mental health and premature death. Having anxiety and insecurities for long period of time, and the lack of supportive friendships cause damage during anytime and stages of life as they come(Cities, 1998).
Social and psychological situations may prolong stress for a long-term period. Continued episodes of anxiety, insecurity and lack of control over work and home life influences on health(Influences on Your Health, n.d.). Such social and psychological risks build up during the different stages of life and enhances the chances of poor mental health and premature death. Having anxiety and insecurities for long period of time, and the lack of supportive friendships cause damage during anytime and stages of life as they come(Cities, 1998).
How is overall health and wellness influenced by our surroundings and society?
Even in the wealthiest countries, the privileged individuals live many more years longer and have fewer illnesses than the underprivileged(Cities, 1998). These differences in health are essential to bring upon justice and equality for all individuals, and also to find about some of the health and wellness influences had from the society and surrounding. People's way of living and circumstances in which they live and work in strongly influence their health in the long run, also determining how long they will live.
Even in the wealthiest countries, the privileged individuals live many more years longer and have fewer illnesses than the underprivileged(Cities, 1998). These differences in health are essential to bring upon justice and equality for all individuals, and also to find about some of the health and wellness influences had from the society and surrounding. People's way of living and circumstances in which they live and work in strongly influence their health in the long run, also determining how long they will live.
1. Stress
Social and psychological situations may prolong stress for a long-term period. Continued episodes of anxiety, insecurity and lack of control over work and home life influences on health(Influences on Your Health, n.d.). Such social and psychological risks build up during the different stages of life and enhances the chances of poor mental health and premature death. Having anxiety and insecurities for long period of time, and the lack of supportive friendships cause damage during anytime and stages of life as they come(Cities, 1998).
Social and psychological situations may prolong stress for a long-term period. Continued episodes of anxiety, insecurity and lack of control over work and home life influences on health(Influences on Your Health, n.d.). Such social and psychological risks build up during the different stages of life and enhances the chances of poor mental health and premature death. Having anxiety and insecurities for long period of time, and the lack of supportive friendships cause damage during anytime and stages of life as they come(Cities, 1998).
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2. Early LifeImportant foundations of adulthood health starts at early childhood. Slow intellectual growth and a lack of emotional support during this period will raise the lifelong time risk of poor physical health and reduced physical and emotional functioning in adulthood(HENARES, 2015). Poor social and economic situations also present a threat to when a child grows older and begin the child on a low social and educational path(Cities, 1998).
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3. Social ExclusionProcesses of not being included and the level of being deprived in a society has become a major issue on health and premature death(Flournoy, 2004). The harm to health comes not only from material deprivation but also from the social and psychological problems of living in poverty. There has been an increase in numbers with regard to poverty, unemployment, and being socially excluded as the years goes by. These leads influence to worsen health and increase risks of premature death, as people who have lived most of their lives in poverty suffering a time of bad health(Cities, 1998).
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3. Social ExclusionProcesses of not being included and the level of being deprived in a society has become a major issue on health and premature death(Flournoy, 2004). The harm to health comes not only from material deprivation but also from the social and psychological problems of living in poverty. There has been an increase in numbers with regard to poverty, unemployment, and being socially excluded as the years goes by. These leads influence to worsen health and increase risks of premature death, as people who have lived most of their lives in poverty suffering a time of bad health(Cities, 1998).
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4. Social Support
Support from important individuals in your life and from good social relations make an important contribution to health(Cities, 1998). Social support assists in giving people the emotional and practical resources they need as to make them belong to a social network of communication and mutual understanding to feel cared for, loved, and valued within the community(Flournoy, 2004). This has a powerful protective influence on health.
Support from important individuals in your life and from good social relations make an important contribution to health(Cities, 1998). Social support assists in giving people the emotional and practical resources they need as to make them belong to a social network of communication and mutual understanding to feel cared for, loved, and valued within the community(Flournoy, 2004). This has a powerful protective influence on health.
5. Addiction
Drug use is both a response to social breakdown and an important factor in worsening the resulting inequalities in health(HENARES, 2015). It offers users ways to escape from adversity and stress, but only makes their problems worse. Depending on alcohol, and/or any other intoxicators, including cigarette smoking are all closely associated with the main reasons of social and economic influence(Cities, 1998).
Drug use is both a response to social breakdown and an important factor in worsening the resulting inequalities in health(HENARES, 2015). It offers users ways to escape from adversity and stress, but only makes their problems worse. Depending on alcohol, and/or any other intoxicators, including cigarette smoking are all closely associated with the main reasons of social and economic influence(Cities, 1998).
5. Addiction
Drug use is both a response to social breakdown and an important factor in worsening the resulting inequalities in health(HENARES, 2015). It offers users ways to escape from adversity and stress, but only makes their problems worse. Depending on alcohol, and/or any other intoxicators, including cigarette smoking are all closely associated with the main reasons of social and economic influence(Cities, 1998).
Drug use is both a response to social breakdown and an important factor in worsening the resulting inequalities in health(HENARES, 2015). It offers users ways to escape from adversity and stress, but only makes their problems worse. Depending on alcohol, and/or any other intoxicators, including cigarette smoking are all closely associated with the main reasons of social and economic influence(Cities, 1998).
6. Food
A good diet and sufficient food supply are essential for promoting health and wellbeing(Cities, 1998). The shortage of food and lack of variety cause malnutrition and deficiency diseases. A huge amount of food intake contributes to heart diseases, diabetes, eye diseases, obesity and dental caries(Rieder, 2009). Food poverty exists side by side with food plenty, by the means of a lot of food being available. The important public health issue is the availability and cost of healthy, nutritious food, as access to good, affordable food makes more difference to what people eat than health education(Ward, 2018). This also makes me conflicted as to why healthy, nutritious food is more expensive than unhealthy fatty foods as if the government is promoting bad eating lifestyle to the public.
A good diet and sufficient food supply are essential for promoting health and wellbeing(Cities, 1998). The shortage of food and lack of variety cause malnutrition and deficiency diseases. A huge amount of food intake contributes to heart diseases, diabetes, eye diseases, obesity and dental caries(Rieder, 2009). Food poverty exists side by side with food plenty, by the means of a lot of food being available. The important public health issue is the availability and cost of healthy, nutritious food, as access to good, affordable food makes more difference to what people eat than health education(Ward, 2018). This also makes me conflicted as to why healthy, nutritious food is more expensive than unhealthy fatty foods as if the government is promoting bad eating lifestyle to the public.
How apartheid, contributed access to equitable opportunities to health and wellness
South Africa had a similar Civil Rights Movement(Ward, 2018) to oppose against the government that was ruling then, to distribute health resources equally and fairly to all individuals in the country. The ruling government was a white supremacy group which had segregation put in place for almost everything(Obuaku-Igwe, 2015). Black individuals had their own public toilets, hospitals, transportation, schools, housing, and much more separated from the white individuals. The facilities that black people would use were not looked after, as public toilets would not get cleaned as frequently to a point where black had to initiate the toilet-bucket system nearby their residential address(Coovadia et al., 2009). The infrastructures of the schools, housing and hospitals were not looked after by the government, resulting in patients, scholars and other individuals catching unnecessary diseases from places that are not clean. Infrastructures also started becoming old, which needed rebuilding but never happened during the apartheid era.
South Africa had a similar Civil Rights Movement(Ward, 2018) to oppose against the government that was ruling then, to distribute health resources equally and fairly to all individuals in the country. The ruling government was a white supremacy group which had segregation put in place for almost everything(Obuaku-Igwe, 2015). Black individuals had their own public toilets, hospitals, transportation, schools, housing, and much more separated from the white individuals. The facilities that black people would use were not looked after, as public toilets would not get cleaned as frequently to a point where black had to initiate the toilet-bucket system nearby their residential address(Coovadia et al., 2009). The infrastructures of the schools, housing and hospitals were not looked after by the government, resulting in patients, scholars and other individuals catching unnecessary diseases from places that are not clean. Infrastructures also started becoming old, which needed rebuilding but never happened during the apartheid era.
How apartheid, contributed access to equitable opportunities to health and wellness
South Africa had a similar Civil Rights Movement(Ward, 2018) to oppose against the government that was ruling then, to distribute health resources equally and fairly to all individuals in the country. The ruling government was a white supremacy group which had segregation put in place for almost everything(Obuaku-Igwe, 2015). Black individuals had their own public toilets, hospitals, transportation, schools, housing, and much more separated from the white individuals. The facilities that black people would use were not looked after, as public toilets would not get cleaned as frequently to a point where black had to initiate the toilet-bucket system nearby their residential address(Coovadia et al., 2009). The infrastructures of the schools, housing and hospitals were not looked after by the government, resulting in patients, scholars and other individuals catching unnecessary diseases from places that are not clean. Infrastructures also started becoming old, which needed rebuilding but never happened during the apartheid era.
South Africa had a similar Civil Rights Movement(Ward, 2018) to oppose against the government that was ruling then, to distribute health resources equally and fairly to all individuals in the country. The ruling government was a white supremacy group which had segregation put in place for almost everything(Obuaku-Igwe, 2015). Black individuals had their own public toilets, hospitals, transportation, schools, housing, and much more separated from the white individuals. The facilities that black people would use were not looked after, as public toilets would not get cleaned as frequently to a point where black had to initiate the toilet-bucket system nearby their residential address(Coovadia et al., 2009). The infrastructures of the schools, housing and hospitals were not looked after by the government, resulting in patients, scholars and other individuals catching unnecessary diseases from places that are not clean. Infrastructures also started becoming old, which needed rebuilding but never happened during the apartheid era.
Due to the resilient fight that black individuals had endurance for paid off at the end, as the apartheid ended in 1994, when freedom was initiated after long talks between the regime government and the representative of black individuals to reach an agreement for equal rights. Ever since then, things have been changing but at a very slow pace(Obuaku-Igwe, 2015).
Conclusion
After thorough research that I have conducted, the realisation of how slow the ruling government is acting towards these demands for their citizens. The research also provides that, the improvement social determinants of health will result in longer living for our citizens. Raising concerns include the pricing of healthy food versus unhealthy, which should be taken a look at. I firmly believe that healthy should be affordable for all citizens and then rather make these unhealthy foods expensive, this belief shall prolong a lot of individuals’ lives.
After thorough research that I have conducted, the realisation of how slow the ruling government is acting towards these demands for their citizens. The research also provides that, the improvement social determinants of health will result in longer living for our citizens. Raising concerns include the pricing of healthy food versus unhealthy, which should be taken a look at. I firmly believe that healthy should be affordable for all citizens and then rather make these unhealthy foods expensive, this belief shall prolong a lot of individuals’ lives.
Bibliography
Cities, H. (1998). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. World Health Organisation, 1–27. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/WHO Social Determinants of Health.pdf
Coovadia, H., Jewkes, R., Barron, P., Sanders, D., Mcintyre, D., Town, C., & Town, C. (2009). Health in South Africa 1 The health and health system of South Africa : historical roots of current public health challenges. The Lancet, 374(9692), 817–834. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60951-X
Flournoy, R. (2004). THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY FACTORS ON HEALTH : THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY FACTORS ON HEALTH : AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRINCIPAL AUTHORS : PolicyLink Report, 1–99. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Influence from surroundings and society to our overall health and wellness.PDF
HENARES, A. DE. (2015). Fifth International Conference on Health , Wellness , and Society Fifth International Conference on. Universidad de Alcalá, September, 1–63. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Health, Wellness, and Society.pdf
Cities, H. (1998). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. World Health Organisation, 1–27. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/WHO Social Determinants of Health.pdf
Coovadia, H., Jewkes, R., Barron, P., Sanders, D., Mcintyre, D., Town, C., & Town, C. (2009). Health in South Africa 1 The health and health system of South Africa : historical roots of current public health challenges. The Lancet, 374(9692), 817–834. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60951-X
Flournoy, R. (2004). THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY FACTORS ON HEALTH : THE INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY FACTORS ON HEALTH : AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRINCIPAL AUTHORS : PolicyLink Report, 1–99. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Influence from surroundings and society to our overall health and wellness.PDF
HENARES, A. DE. (2015). Fifth International Conference on Health , Wellness , and Society Fifth International Conference on. Universidad de Alcalá, September, 1–63. file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Health, Wellness, and Society.pdf