Often referred to as the social determinants of health, these are the factors that are in direct relationship with an individual’s health. It’s a term that refers to social and economic factors that may contribute to the differences in health between individuals. It also refers to the factors that influence an individual’s mood and self-esteem.
Multiple biological mechanisms appear to be involved in causal pathways
Several decades of public health research have revealed that the aetiology of morbidities and chronic illnesses is a complex jigsaw puzzle, with multiple biological mechanisms appearing to be involved in the causal pathways. Yet the concept of causation, in practice and theory, remains elusive.
One of the most contested areas of research in epidemiology is the definition of causation. Those who advocate for the importance of social factors in disease argue that the causal phenomenon cannot be reduced to biology. In fact, they argue, causation is best described as a collection of interrelated behavioural and structural factors.
While the simplest explanation for the causation of a lung cancer is smoking, it does not explain why some smokers develop lung cancer. The simple narrative of infectious disease assumes that a highly infectious agent causes an infectious disease. This is a misleading assumption.
Impact on individual and group differences in health status
Several studies have investigated the impact of various indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) on late-life health outcomes. Those studies generally find that socioeconomic inequalities are present in all age groups, and they can persist into old age. However, it is not clear which indicators are most associated with which health outcomes.
This study aims to answer that question by examining the relationship between five indicators of SES and three late-life health outcomes. In each case, the relationship between each indicator and the health outcome was tested simultaneously. The indicators were also adjusted for other indicators of SES one-by-one.
Income was the most strongly associated with all health outcomes, and contributed to model fits in several ways. It was statistically significant for all health outcomes, and was the only indicator that remained significant in fully adjusted models.
Contribute to wide health disparities and inequities
Across the world, health disparities and inequities persist. They affect populations of people based on race, gender, disability, and social class. Often, they result in premature death and unnecessary costs.
Despite progress, health disparities remain a major challenge. Health care providers must evaluate their policies and practices to ensure that they are not creating barriers to care. In addition, they must work with outside partners to reduce health inequities.
Inequities in healthcare result in a higher burden of disease for low-income people, particularly in rural and urban areas. They also affect people of color, who experience higher rates of illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines health disparities as “a systematic difference in health status between groups.”
In some countries, the gap between the top and bottom income tertile is larger than in the United States. This results in higher health care costs and lost productivity.
Broadband internet service should be added to the list
Several initiatives have been launched to address growing health disparities. These include the Connect America Fund and the Lifeline Program. While these initiatives have made strides, many Americans are still falling through the cracks.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline Program, in particular, has made phone service more affordable for low income people. The Lifeline Program also expanded to include discounted broadband for qualifying customers. This is in addition to a host of government and non-government initiatives designed to improve broadband coverage across the nation.
The Pew Research Center reported that nearly one in five Americans are still not online. The federal government has taken the first steps to remedy this situation. They have rolled out the Lifeline Program, which makes telephone service more affordable for low-income individuals, and launched a new broadband initiative called Connect America.
Influence on moods and self-esteem
Among the many factors that influence moods and self-esteem, life experiences are probably the most important. Self-esteem is derived from experiences with others and can affect social interactions.
Some studies suggest that racism has a negative effect on self-esteem. However, there is little evidence to support these claims.
Self-esteem has been found to have a positive effect on health. It is thought that the desire for positive self-esteem makes the positive self-perception more accessible. However, there are many differences in self-esteem among people. Hence, it can be difficult to distinguish between unrealistic and realistic self-esteem.
One of the best ways to measure self-esteem is by using the Rosenberg scale. It has been used to assess self-esteem in many countries.
Impact on healthcare access
Whether it is access to healthcare, or health disparities, these social factors play a crucial role in promoting health equity. The American College of Physicians (ACP) believes that addressing these factors is an important issue for physicians, healthcare providers, and health systems. Using a comprehensive approach to address these health inequities will help reduce the negative health outcomes associated with social determinants.
In order to achieve better health equity, policies must target the needs of individuals in communities. In addition, healthcare providers must account for the social factors that are contributing to their patients’ health status. By integrating these factors, physicians can create a more holistic understanding of their patients’ health and treatment needs.
