Module 1 - Identity and Health

.docx

School

Queens University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

171

Subject

Health Science

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

3

Uploaded by ConstableUniverse17605

Report
Identity and Health - Reflection - Focus on the complexity of identity and health and internal and external factors - Health and environment and geography (external factors) o Hard to change, unlike lifestyle choices Need intervention for society, and government o Air pollution o Resources in the area to grow and prosper o Marginized communities without access to clean water - Health and financial security o Money can buy you health o Unable to move because of the lack of money, living in not up to standard conditions such as houses with lead in walls o You income level is directly related to your food quality, and ability to change your lifestyle for the better - Work and health o Depending on your work, your lifestyle can be negatively affected - Both internal choices and external forces in our social and physical environment affect our health, not one dominating over the other o Access to health care is hard to navigate, including mental health - Family and religion culture and beliefs o What you learn about health from parents could be not scientific or untrue Some are antivaccine, this could impact health How do identity and environments influence a person’s health? Identity and environments play significant roles in shaping a person's health. Both factors interact in complex ways. As someone who grew up in China and later moved to Canada, I have been able to experience a significant change in my external environment as well as a evolvement of my identity, let’s compare the two. Back in China, my cultural background shaped by identity by instilling health beliefs, practices, and attitudes toward healthcare. My dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and attitudes toward seeking medical care was different. For example, my family believed in Chinese medicine which is a different approach to health than Western medicine. Back in China, problems like fevor or constipation was treated by traditional herbal medicine instead of going to the hospital. Another incident that made my reflect on how identity influence a person’s health is when my cousin traveled to China to see a specialist because he was on the waitlist for too long. It was the first time I felt how much someone’s socioeconomic status plays a role in their health. Not everyone can afford to travel to another country for payed healthcare, my cousin won at the game of life. Health and financial security are closely linked because not only does it provide people with more choices, it also directly ties to their food quality, living conditions, and lifestyle. When we talk about how identity and environment incluences a person’s health, I feel that we shouldn’t separate the two into different categories. The truth is, environment often influences a person’s identity and vice versa. For example, a person’s physical environment when they are born is not up to them. I was born in a big city with air pollution and exposure to air pollutants
had cause me to develop Myocarditis at a young age. My Myocarditis actually faded away as I loved to Calgary, a much smaller city with good air quality. Like we learned in moduel 1, there are many determinants of health both internal and external forces in our social and physical environment affects an individual’s health, not one dominating over the other. Identity and environments as well as their intricate interactions are pivotal factors shaping an individual's health. Reflecting on my personal journey from growing up in China to moving to Canada, I've witnessed a significant transformation in both my external surroundings and my identity. Let's compare the two experiences for clarity. In China, my cultural background molded much of my identity, influencing my health beliefs. This was evident in distinct dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and approaches to seeking medical care. For instance, my family adhered to Chinese medicine, often using traditional herbal remedies for fever or constipation instead of opting for Western medical practices. Discussions about how identity and environment influence health shouldn't separate the two into distinct categories. In reality, the environment often shapes a person's identity and vice versa. Consider a person's physical environment at birth, which is beyond their control. I was born in a polluted metropolis, contributing to the development of myocarditis at a young age. However, this health issue improved when I moved to Calgary, a smaller city with better air quality. Identity and environments, along with their intricate interactions, are pivotal factors that shape an individual's health. Reflecting on my personal journey from growing up in China to moving to Canada, I've observed a significant transformation in both my external surroundings and my identity. Let's compare the two experiences for clarity. In China, my cultural background played a substantial role in molding my identity, influencing my health. This influence manifested in distinct dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and approaches to seeking medical care. For instance, my family adhered to Chinese medicine, frequently opting for traditional herbal remedies to address issues like fever or constipation instead of opting for Western medical practices. Besides an individual’s identity, their physic It's important to note that identity and environment influence health should not compartmentalize the two into distinct categories. In reality, the environment often shapes a person's identity, and vice versa. Consider a person's physical environment at birth. I was born in a polluted metropolis, contributing to the development of myocarditis at a young age. However, this health issue showed improvement when I moved to Calgary, a smaller city with better air quality. Another eye-opening incident was when my cousin, faced with a prolonged waitlist, decided to travel to China to consult a specialist. I didn’t think too much about his case at the time but upon reflection, it highlighted the role of socioeconomic status in health. Not everyone can afford international healthcare access. The close link between health and financial security is apparent in basically every aspect of health, it impacts our food quality, living conditions, and lifestyle choices. As we learned in Module 1, various determinants of health, both internal and external forces in our social and physical environment, collectively influence an individual's health, creating an interconnectedness that contributes to a person’s health.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help