There is not singe factor that determine the quality of health and wellbeing. Many intersecting social and individual factors control the societies health. Income inequality is one of the leading determinant for our health. The effects of income inequality on health maybe understood by examining some social mechanisms, such as public education and healthcare, structural violence, disruption of social cohesion and social capital; and individual risky behaviors. (Kawachi and Kennedy, 1999) My topic is income inequality and health because access to adequate income have a significant effect on people’s health and well-being. I chose this topic because I personally know how income inequality makes poor sick in the first place and how difficult it is to get better once the poor people get sick. My grandfather had diabetes he had passed away at relatively younger age. He was only 64 when he died. At the time I was only thinking that his diabetes is genetic. Now, I know that his life condition is also a factor on his diabetes. I also know that he would live much longer if he had a better income which would provide him access to better housing, healthy food, and better living conditions. I also chose Income inequality and health as my topic after I watched the documentary “Unnatural Causes in Sickness and in Wealth” for the class. In the documentary, the example of an identical twins was given. The identical twin sisters have the same genes, they grew up together until the age of
Why are higher income and social status associated with better health? If it were just a matter of the poorest and lowest status groups having poor health, the explanation could be things like poor living conditions. But the effect occurs all across the socio-economic spectrum. Considerable research indicates that the degree of control people have over life circumstances,
Health has been influenced by many factors such as poor health status, disease risk factors, and limited access to healthcare. All these factors are due to social, economic and environmental disadvantages. According to the World Organization (WHO) (2015), “the social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities, which is the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries”
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing, and not just the absence of disease” (WHO, 1974). Health inequalities are the differences in health or healthcare opportunities in different societies this may be due to income,
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)
Social determinants of health encompasses ethnicity, gender and social class. It is seen as the essential
These are a few potential links between social inequalities and the health of the population: income and wealth distribution, unemployment, the ageing society, gender and health, mental illness and suicide and disability and dysfunction. I am going to discuss each of these and see the health impact on people in each group.
There has always been a link between social class and health, even with the welfare state and the improvements made to health in all sections of societies over the years, a difference still remains in this area. This difference is applied to all aspects of health, which include life expectancy, general levels of health and infant mortality. Many people argue that as long as the quality of life is
Having a low income can lead to poor to health, because you won’t have access or opportunities for better health, such as safe homes, nutritious foods and good schools. “Income may not be the strongest risk factor for any particular disease or outcome, but it’s a risk factor for all of them.” (Krisberg, 2017)
Health inequalities are preventable and unjust differences in health status experienced by certain population groups. People in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to experience health inequalities than people in higher socio-economic classes. Health inequalities are not only found between people of different
classes are perhaps not as clear as they used to be. But it is just as
This essay will discuss ways in which a person’s socioeconomic class and his/her social situation can have an impact on his/her health, using examples. We believe that there is a direct link between socioeconomic/social class and health (Adler et al. 1994). I will be defining the key terms: socioeconomic and health, social class then proceed to discuss about how poverty, income, employability, environment and housing can impact on a person’s social situation and their health.
The aim of this essay is to examine the influence that socio-economic status has on an individual’s health.
This paper discusses the ideas presented by Richard Wilkinson, in the video How economic inequality harms societies (2011). Three compelling concepts arise from the video which are that there was no longer a correlation between gross national income and health and social problems; it is also possible to attain greater equality as evidenced by what some countries are doing to reduce the income gap; and inequalities vary based on their health impact across the social gradient but nonetheless is present from top to bottom. In order to tackle the health problems and improve the health of individuals within societies, social justice actions geared at the inequalities seen in the healthcare system and other institutions are crucial. This paper also
Modern day technology has opened many doors in the medical field. A recent study done by the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) examined the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of a group of Veterans who received physical therapy via home video tele-rehabilitation. To some this may be an absurd method of physical therapy. However, it is most definitely an effective new technique. Physical therapy via home videos make rehabilitation more accessible to patients, it saves money and time, and it is simply effective in providing Veterans with the aid they need.
“Population health is defined as the health outcomes of a group of individuals, including the distribution of such outcomes within the group (Kindig, n.d.). “ These groups are frequently viewed as geographic populations for example; countries, societies, or communities. There can be additional groups that can fall under population health such as staffs, ethnic groups, disabled individuals, criminals, or any other distinguished group. The health results and outcomes of each group are of significance or importance in the private (citizen) and public sectors (Kindig). Population health can be determined by lifespan, infant death, mortality rates, disabilities, quality of life and individual’s contentment and well-being. The factors that have the greatest influence on one’s health and well-being are normally, established in the public’s economic and societal relationships. Medical care and one’s actions appear to be less significant than social factors. Research that was performed in the United States and other nations revealed that the level of hierarchy in a society seems to be one of the most significant influences involving the health of a certain population. The larger the separation amongst those that are at the highest and those on the lower end in a population, the more critical its health seems to be. Here in the United States, people purchase mainly the items that they need so, we are able to utilize income distribution to evaluate the difference amongst the