Chapter 3, Problem 1CAQ

Summary Introduction

To identify:

Some of the social determinants of health in the family.

Case summary:

Ms. K is 17-years-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy and she is severely disabled. Due to her disability during adulthood, care is provided by her mother. Her mother (Monica) is 50-years-old and she is a single. All three siblings of Monica died in their 50’s and she has cardiac disease. She is unable to work and covered through public health insurance. Ms. K is on the state insurance program and can remain eligible for special education program till she is 21.

The two siblings of Ms. K have cardiac disease and following health promoting activities such as diet and exercise strictly. Both of them are in college, but current residing at home.

Explanation of Solution

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of movements that occurs in early childhood. It is hereditary and appears due to abnormal development of the brain. Social determinants of health in short SDH are conditions or environments in which individuals are born, brought up, work, survive and age. SDH also includes set of forces and systems (economic and social policies) framing the conditions of life.

The following are the social determinants of health in Katie’s family:

• Unemployment of Ms. K’s mother due to her illness.
• Personal health practices of Ms. K’s siblings-diet and exercises.
• Social support networks such as agencies providing public health insurance schemes and state insurance schemes.
• Biology and genetics-Ms. K is suffering from CP a congenital disorder.
• Age of mother of Ms. K, Ms. K and her siblings.
• Healthy behaviour such as Ms. K attends the special education programs and her siblings strictly following health promoting activities.
• Experiences (due to illness) of Ms. K from her childhood.

Conclusion

Some of the social determinants in K’s family are unemployment, personal health practices, social agencies, genetics and biology, age, healthy behaviour and their experiences.