In today’s modern society there are many factors that can affect an individual’s health outcomes. Some of these factors are modifiable which means that they are able to be changed, other factors are non-modifiable which means that they are unable to be changed. The modifiable factors that impact health are wide and far-ranging and include smoking, nutrition, and public health initiatives such as vaccines. The examples of non-modifiable factors are limited to a slightly narrower field but are still as complex and varied as modifiable factors. Non-modifiable factors include age, sex, disability, and hereditary illnesses. This essay will focus on these specific examples of modifiable and non-modifiable factors.
Smoking is one of the leading
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(Mis, et al., 2017) This diet contributes to weight gain and obesity. Those who are overweight or obese are more likely to experience serious health issues such as CVD, cancers of the breast and colon, and type-2 diabetes. There is also an increased risk of mental health issues such as stress, low-self-esteem and depression. (Public Health England , 2014). Proper nutrition also has a positive effect on health, a diet rich in polyphenols which are found in nuts, grains, fruit and vegetables can be beneficial as some polyphenols have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-proliferative (preventing cells from irregular reproduction which is an anticancer trait) effects. (Rinzler,
A non-communicable disease (NCD) is defined as a disease which is not infectious. Such diseases may result from genetic or lifestyle factors. Such diseases may result from genetic or lifestyle factors. Current evidence indicates that four types of NCDs (i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases) account for almost two third of all deaths globally, with 80 per cent of these deaths occurring in low-income and middle-income countries. NCDs are a leading threat to health and development. Yet, these diseases are preventable. By eliminating shared risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol, almost 80 per cent of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and over a third of all cancers could be prevented. In addition, improved disease management can reduce morbidity, disability and death and contribute to better health outcomes. Overall, proven cost-effective strategies do exist to prevent and control this growing burden.
Modifiable and non-modifiable health factors play a crucial role in the complex connection that determines our ability to manage our health. Modifiable determinants, or those elements that we can control with our lifestyle choices and behaviours, provide an effective tool for preserving wellbeing. Non-modifiable determinants, or the things in our lives that we cannot change, also function as underlying factors that shape our path to health. It is essential to comprehend the effects of both if we are to take control of our health. Modifiable determinants encompass a wide range of factors within our control.
In response to question number one I believe the majority of determinants of health are modifiable, while there are some that are not modifiable. Those that are not modifiable include: age, genetics, heredity, and environmental factors. I believe that most people would think that sex is a non-modifiable determinant of health, but that is no longer true in this day and age. More people these days are having surgery to transition from one sex to the other. Modifiable determinants of health include: education, income, religion, and environmental. These are just a few of the many non-modifiable and modifiable determinants of health.
Environmental barriers, such as, not having access to healthy food can have an adverse impact on a person health, especially if their lives are further complicated by a chronic illness. For instant, diabetes which is a disease that affects at least 16 million Americans; African Americans and Latinos are the groups that are affected the most, as compared to the White population (Horowitz, Colson, Hebert & Lancaster, 2004). African Americans and Latinos are more likely to have more complications due to diabetes as well as a higher mortality rate (Horowitz et al., 2004). Some populations of people are prone to having a high prevalent rate of diabetes; therefore, research done at a community level is necessary to help figure out why
According to The Center for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan (2011) website, chronic disease can be defined as any medical condition in which the treatment expectation is one of control, rather than cure. The website further states that up to 70% (1.7 million) of deaths in the United States can be attributed to chronic disease. This statistic is not limited to the United States. The World Health Organization (2014) website states chronic disease accounts for 60% of all deaths worldwide, and half of those deaths occurred in people under the age of 70. The diagnosis of a chronic disease impacts a person in
Communities are sometimes largely unaware that social factors rather than medical ones, such as income, and employment status, shape our health. Our health is also determined by the health and social services we receive, and our ability to attain high education levels, food and safe housing, among other factors.
Acting in different levels, from micro to macro, those determinants have effect in a complex interplay of a multidirectional flow between the individual and the social scope. They are normally and roughly grouped into categories, such as individual factors interpersonal factors, institutional and community environments, broader social, economic and political influences. That concept allows explain why some people and groups are at higher risk for develop some diseases instead of others, and that is a very important key for a better understanding of its prevalence and to design more effective prevention strategies.
A persons health status is determined by the range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors (Healthy People , 2016). The determinants of health build upon each other, Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) created the ‘rainbow’ model of health. This looks at the determinants of health in a bigger picture and looking at each person as an individual instead of just being labelled obese. Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991) state that health is dependant on the persons genes, lifestyle, environment and health care. Level one of the rainbow model starts with ‘age, sex, constitutional factors’, this is looking at how the person is ‘made’, looking at their genetics. Some children who are labelled obese could have developed obesity, an illness
Seven in ten deaths in the United States, are attributable to chronic disease (“Leading Causes” 1). These diseases are not on account of bacteria or viruses, which could be treated with an appropriate prescription or vaccine. Chronic conditions are developed through unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors such as a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, poor sleeping habits, and substance use (e.g. tobacco). Consequently, seven in ten of every death can be prevented with changes in lifestyle. The CDC states that these conditions, “are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems” (“Chronic Disease” 1). Although these conditions have clear and definite causes (knowing the exact reason and “cure” for them), they are becoming more prevalent rather than domesticated. According to Wu and Green, “Between 2000 and 2030 the number of Americans with chronic conditions will increase by 37 percent, an increase of 46 million people” (1). This increase comes with an increase in health care costs: the CDC reported that the U.S. spent three trillion dollars on health care in 2014 (“Health Expenditures” 1). 86% of these costs was associated with these conditions (“Prevention” 1). Despite there being a range of causes of why patients make these choices, one issue that may be less familiar to others is the lack of knowledge in preventative medicine among health care professionals. Current training standards are not adequately educating or equipping health care professionals
The aim of this essay is to examine the influence that socio-economic status has on an individual’s health.
An adult individual has been chosen to provide an overview and look at the determinants that affect their health. For the purpose of this essay, the individual will be referred to as George. This is to maintain the individual’s confidentiality and anonymity; therefore, a false name has been used. Consent has been gained to base this essay on the individual.
Americans today are faced with a number of health issues, mainly as a result of poor diet, lack of exercise, and lifestyle choices; but, of course, genetics does play a part. My family, for example, has a history of several issues. My father suffers from diabetes and asthma, which my children have as well. My older sister and I both suffer from stress, which is most likely causing our chronic heartburn and my headaches; and, both my husband and I are borderline obese, which is a gateway disease to many others. While some of these issues are linked genetically, many of them are due to lifestyle, which can be viewed as both negative and positive. Negative because we brought these ailments onto ourselves, but positive because we can
According to Donald D. Hensrud of the Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight, “Eating well – choosing a plant-based diet, which emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains – also will reduce your risks of some of our nation’s biggest killers and related conditions. Many cancers, heart disease and high blood pressure, among other conditions, are linked to diet, most notably to diets high in fat and saturated fat. Even without weight loss, adopting a healthier eating style can be beneficial. (Hensrud 49)”
An array of factors like personal, social, economic, and environment issues influence and determines the health of individual and population, acting in various combination (Knickman & Kovner, 2015). These determinants of health, known as population health determinants generally include genetics, access to health care, individual behavior, social determinant, physical environment (Knickman & Kovner, 2015).
The determinants of health are economic and social conditions that affect people’s health status. These influence the living and working conditions that impacts people’s everyday living condition. Factors such as the place and the environment we live in, genetics, educational level or work status and income, as well as friends and family are some of the aspects that affects our health condition. On the other hand, the people that have an access to good health care and have financial stability are less susceptible and are often less affected. (NANB, 2009)