Social Determinates Of Primary Health Care

As stated by the World Health Organization (WHO), ‘health’ is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1948). The health and wellbeing of individuals is generally determined by their circumstances and environment, a phenomenon referred to as the social determinants of health. WHO describes the social determinants of health as:

The overall health of the population can be due impart to the living conditions in which they experience, rather than traditional risk factors of health we first think of. The umbrella term social determinants of health (SDH) can be defined as: the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.

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”

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)

The social determinants of health are the circumstances that impact and surround people, since are born, grow, work, live, and age, education, income, race and gender, and the broader set of powers and systems that shaping the circumstances of daily life. It is important because it impacts all aspect of daily life of people, and it caused direct and indirect health problems.

Primary health care is the first point of access and entry point into the Australian health care system. An effective primary health care system 'gives priority to those most in need and addresses health inequalities; maximises community and individual self-reliance, participation and control; and involves collaboration and partnership with other sectors to promote public health. ' (APHCRI, 2009 p.22)

With the focus on these five areas, Governments in each country are creating health systems that aim to provide services that are affordable, equitable and accessible. To achieve a sustainable health system, cooperation and participation of all health care providers is vital. This will work towards WHO’s goal of achieving “better health for all”

Throughout this essay an evaluation will be deducted on the health inequalities among Australians. Secondly, a further evaluation to appraise and identify the causes, scope and impact on the health and well-being of [the] individual (s), families and community. Thirdly, describe the paradigms and accountabilities that Government and non-Government Organisations [NGO] assume across community services and health sectors to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians. Additionally, reviewing the over-all health and wellbeing issues from service- operators and counselors to assist in the ongoing [future] development of better health-care for Australians. Finally, differentiate professional practices and reactions to appropriated community

Health care systems are organizations that are formed to meet the overall health needs of the population. Health care is regarded as one of the leading cause in promoting not only physical and mental health but the well-being of the population. Legislation is implemented requiring government to offer services to all members of its society. The role of health services and the organizations that provide aid is to focus on the health of an individual and to uphold their human rights. According to WHO (2013), a “well-functioning health care system requires a robust financing mechanism, a well-trained and adequately-paid workforce, reliable information on which to base decisions and policies, and well maintained facilities and logistics to deliver quality medicines and technologies (World Health Organization; 2013).

Eriksson, K. (Ed.). (2012, November 1). The Impact of Primary Care: A Focused Review. Retrieved February 1, 2015, from http://www.hindawi.com/journals/scientifica/2012/432892/

-After observing the factors that produce expensive medical bills, Gawande suggest that primary care doctors should focus on treating a patient’s illness first rather than a specialist; however, this logic is faulty because it would not work in the long run.

Social determinants refer generally to social factors, such as income inequality or social exclusion which influence health (Community Tolls Box, 2013). “The social determinants approach is underpinned by an appreciation of the broader value of health to society and the dependence of health on actions far beyond the health sector, as both problems and solutions are system-wide.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2010). As the Australian population is ageing, the social determinants need to be adjusted to face the future challenges. The social determinants have become the main focus regarding the health of the people in the whole world and Australia is one of them (Hunter, Neiger, & West, (2011). Lots of fund are already being used in researching about the relationship between social determinants and health. Instead of dealing with curing and studying of the disease, the government and scientists have turned their focus on the main root cause of good and poor health Hunter, Neiger, & West, (2011). This essay will discuss some of the positive and negative impact of the social determinants of health and illness of the ageing population in Australia as well as the ways in which health can be affected by staying in aged care facilities after admission just like in case of Mrs Wilson.

Health care is a system to deliver care to consumers as a whole. Evaluating and reporting on health care quality is very significant; it provides users and employers the ability to make knowledgeable elections and choose the greatest accessible care (NCQA.org, 2016). There are different levels of care, if you will, of health care. The first s primary health care, which is simply delivering basic treatment and or vaccinations as well as small

Primary health care evolves from the economic, cultural, social, and political conditions of a country, and it is described as an essential part of health care that is universally provided to individuals in a community at the country's and community's expense (World Health Organisation [WHO], 1978). The goal of primary health care is to address the main local health problems, but it involves community education about these problems in addition to providing disease treatments (WHO, 1978). Furthermore, primary health care is concerned with nutrition promotion, sanitation standards, family planning, immunisation, disease control and prevention, and it promotes and relies on community and individual participation in primary health

This individual reflection on the group work will present how I have seen the application of the principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) through the roles of the community health workers (CHW) in making health care more accessible. In addition, some strategies will be suggested to address the critical bottlenecks that hinder the effectiveness of the CHWs. Having the experience of working as a District Health Officer, this reflection will highlight most significant areas that I feel require attention to improve the health system in the country. This reflection will be based on the two case studies of CHWs in Malawi and Sri Lanka namely, the Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) and Eye Health Promoters, respectively.