By Faith Idukpaye (Amber Ree)
Social determinants have a far-reaching impact on different aspects of a person’s everyday life. I decided to write a blog about social determinant because a lot of people don’t know or have the understanding that their physical environment and social stress is a determinant to their health. The effects of social determinants are quite noticeable and experienced by the most vulnerable populations. Understanding the various determinants gives a glimpse of the intricacies that emerge when determining why some individuals or groups of individuals, such as minorities, immigrants, and native communities, exhibit a low quality of life and are less likely to be healthy than others in society.
State of Health
Diverse social determinants influence the wellbeing of people. Where an individual is born, lives, learns, works, plays, worships, and grows shape a wide variety of health, quality-of-life, and functioning outcomes and risks. Health-related social determinants, such as the availability of safe housing, nutritious foods, opportunities for physical activity, and clean air and water, guarantee good health. On the other hand, social factors such as racism and discrimination may limit access to health care, making people susceptible to health challenges.
Access and Quality of Education
The availability of and the level of education an individual and a population can access determines their status in diverse aspects. For instance, people with higher academic achievements are more likely to be healthier and can live longer. Kids from low-income households, those with disabilities, and those who often experience forms of social discrimination, such as bullying, are highly likely to perform dismally in math and reading. This group of children is also less likely to progress to higher levels of education, like going as far as colleges or universities. Consequently, they are less likely to secure safe, well-paying jobs and more likely to experience health challenges like depression, heart disease, and diabetes.
Neighbourhood and Constructed Environment
The neighbourhood within which individuals live shape their well-being in different aspects. For instance, people who live in neighbourhoods with high frequencies of violence, unclean air or water, and other safety and health risks are most likely to experience different safety and health challenges. Marginalized groups, such as racial and ethnic minorities and those with low incomes are more likely to live in neighbourhoods with these risks, thereby living a low-quality life.
Cultural influence
Many groups, especially natives and black populations in different parts of the world, are subject to the longstanding effects of historical subjugation. Culture influences perceptions of health, sickness and death, views about disease triggers, health promotion approaches, how illness and pain are felt and expressed, where the ill should seek help, and treatment choice. Culture also shapes how people interact, eat, embrace technology, science, and access education. Cultures that embrace science, technology, a healthy lifestyle, and education enable people to live better lives.
Religious influence
Religion is humankind’s most ancient endeavour that guides the way of life. It has remained the leading promoter of education, healthcare, and general development in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations. Educational and healthcare infrastructure foundations in many developing nations are based on facilities initially established by religious leaders and organizations to promote learning and spread the faith. Equally, in the United States and Europe, some universities were founded by Christian denominations to teach their clergy and lay followers. While most of these establishments have since become secular in inclination, their existence explains why most people in the U.S. and Europe are highly educated.
In conclusion, many broad-based determinants act at individual, community, population, national, and universal levels. They affect different spheres of human life, including health, academics, relations, and economic status
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