Health variants are present not just in individuals but also in communities. Genetics is one factor but not the only reason for this variability of health status among the public.
When we talk about our mental and physical health, we often focus on things like access to medical care and the quality of care we receive. But there is more than just receiving quality care. Our health is affected by our environment, and social aspects impact it.
There are social aspects that impact our health and well-being. These social aspects are called Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).
According to WHO– “Social determinants of health (SDH) are the non-medical factors influencing health outcomes. They are 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.”
Examples of SDoH could be the number of grocery stores or food options in the area. It could be local housing policies and access to affordable housing be the quality of the education system; be air quality. It could be other policies like minimum wage standards. It could be the transportation.
What are the different Social Determinants of Health?
Social determinants of health fall into five broad categories:
- Healthcare: It covers factors like access to primary healthcare, health insurance coverage, and health literacy.
- Economic stability: It includes factors like an individual’s occupation, financial and economic status, poverty, and housing stability.
- Education: Factors like access to education and its quality. For example, secondary education, higher education, language, and literacy.
- Social and Community Life: It covers factors like civic participation, race, discrimination, etc.
- Neighborhood: It includes quality of housing, transportation, access to quality food and water, crime, and violence.
In this article, I will discuss the two most crucial Determinants of Health- Education and Employment.
EDUCATION
Education is the essential process of socioeconomic status and an important determinant of health, employment, and income.
Of all the Social Determinants of Health, Education is the most critical factor concerning health disparities. An Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report found global evidence indicating that education plays the most significant role specifically in shaping individual health behaviors. Further, it is essential to spread awareness among people about their health and well-being. Health literacy should consider language, cultural beliefs, and the medium of instruction.
Why Does Education Matters to Health?
Education impacts health in different layers. The aspects cover:
- Personal behavioral choices
- Health Awareness
- Income and Career
Personal Behavioral Choices
Education forms the foundation for behavioral choices. Children can acquire positive attitudes toward participation and healthy habits in the educational setting. They learn the importance and value of healthy eating, nutrition, and physical well-being in elementary schools. For instance, providing students with wholesome, nutritionally balanced meals at school can support lessons that teach them the value of maintaining a well-balanced diet and nutrition and aid in developing healthy eating habits.
Health Awareness
People who have more education tend to make healthier choices. Again, they know the implications of healthy eating habits, physical exercise, and access to quality care. Furthermore, those with higher levels of education have greater exposure to both people and resources of information that focus on healthy lifestyles, which include not only eating habits but also the level of physical activity.
Income and Career
Education is directly connected with employment, career, and income. Education means getting a better job, teaching kids to be successful, and making a difference in everyday life. Higher Education provides better employment opportunities, higher income, and thus, access to quality health care services. On the other hand, inadequate education reduces a person’s ability in occupation, and they can’t find well-paying jobs.
Poor schools lead to poor educational outcomes, and these poor education outcomes lead to poor jobs. Unfortunately, these poor jobs push you right back into these impoverished neighborhoods. But improved health outcomes for our children and adults are among the benefits of a better education.
EMPLOYMENT
Individuals over age 18 spend a significant amount of their hours at work. Therefore, employment is the source of income and determines our socioeconomic status.
People aged 30 to 59 with no jobs suffer more physical, emotional, and functional impairment than those employed.
Employment also impacts health in different aspects. The aspects cover:
- Work Environment
- Access To Healthcare
- Socio Economic Status
Work Environment
Employed people are healthier than unemployed due to insurance coverage from their employers. But an individual’s workplace environment also matters. Work status, social relations at the workplace, stress, and burnout all impact overall health and well-being.
Access To Healthcare
In the United States, health insurance coverage is crucial for access to quality care. Nearly all Americans have Medicare or Medicaid coverage, yet many are uncovered.
The primary source of insurance coverage for Americans is employer-sponsored health insurance. Individuals can purchase self-insurance individually, but it is comparatively more expensive.
Socio Economic Status
Unemployment can impact living conditions, for instance, the community, household conditions, and the neighborhood. But on the other hand, higher-income people can spend money to reside in safe neighborhoods.
Unemployment can impact living conditions, for instance, the community, household conditions, and the neighborhood. People with higher incomes can spend money to reside in safe areas. They can have access to healthcare when required.
People with higher incomes also enjoy a higher social status in society. As a result, they socialize and can spend enough to maintain and improve their health conditions. All this leads to a positive impact on their physical and mental well-being.
On the other hand, unemployment leads to the deterioration of social conditions. Unemployed people are forced to live in a poor and insecure environment. They may have no access to quality care and face social discrimination. All these factors lead to stress and adverse impact on their cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.
Kids lack access to quality education and thus lack better job opportunities. It again forces them to stay in poor environments. It is a never-ending circle that is poorly impacting people’s health.
Conclusion
The key to improving health is linked to improving the quality of life. So, we need to improve the quality of places and the environment where we spend most of our time- schools, universities, workplaces, and more.