Social Determinants of Health Inequities - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Social Determinants of Health Inequities. Answer: Introduction: The inequities in health in different countries are evaluated on a basis of social and economic statuses of the citizens. Blass et al (2008) insisted that these are the disparities in quality and accessibilities of health services between different regions or individuals within a social setting. The aspect of the use of power is defined on the basis of individuals at positions of authority being able to use their influence to the benefit of less fortunate in the society for the whole population to move forward together (Sen Ostlin 2008). Apparently, it is assumed that people with enough resources are at lower risk of succumbing to diseases since they afford treatment. However, over the recent years, cases of some lifestyle diseases are experienced at higher rates by the rich as compared to their less wealthy counterparts. Empowering less fortunate communities would go a long way in solving the differences. The environment where a society resides can contribute to the health or lack thereof based on how it influences peoples living conditions. As such, occupants of informal structures have a higher chance of getting infected with diseases such as cholera than those living in homes fitted with necessary facilities for basic human integrity. In the photo above (Figure 1) there are boys whose residence is close to a dumping ground and they have to pass through that route on a daily basis on their way to school. Consequently, these students would easily catch infections in the area that people with access to proper infrastructure might not encounter. World Health Organization (2017) insists that such an issue can be resolved through the right combination of strategies by the governments whose citizens experience similar situations. The move would directly reduce health risks thus saving resources for the benefit of the entire country. In a case study of New Zealand, despite the health services offered to be of good quality, there is inequity in accessibility and the results obtained by seekers (Cummings 2017). She also found that the countrys population life expectancy is around eighty-one years but some groups such as Maori have half-a-decade less to live. The difference is as a result of failure to seek medical attention within the right duration hence they end up succumbing or they visit hospitals when the condition is at an advanced level. However, the research also indicated that there is an improvement in the health sector such that all citizens have improved from the situation they experienced years back due to the government commitment to maintain steady growth in the field (Cummings, 2017). Additionally, the distribution of infrastructure and services in the country is conducted in a manner that strives to reach all nationals equally but some communities are yet to catch up with the rest of the country. There is extreme diversity between the living standards of the wealthy and the poor in the country such that despite being a big economy, the number of homeless people is significant. The nation has well-established health technology and services that some individuals may not make use of due to their inability to afford them because their income is enough for basic commodities (Johnson 2017). In addition, she indicated that the health education in a fraction of the population was lacking hence leading to the failure to seek the services. The picture in figure 2 shows a homeless adult surviving in the streets with a donation from well-wishers. As such, it is impossible for such a person to prioritize the health services such as insurance or check-ups at the recommended intervals either for themselves or their young ones when they have not catered for the food, clothing, and shelter. Since countrys legislature has the power to create programs to reduce poverty, as well as to empower the individuals such that they are able to cater for their need, they ought to implement the policies in order to solve the issue. The Wealthy Health Problems Evans, (2013) indicated that children from different background experience unique challenges that are determined by their environment. As such, if ones parents have been able to achieve much in their economic and social endeavors, they expect their children to perform well. Apparently, the failure to do so can lead them to depression and in turn, indulge in drug abuse due to stress and cause them mental instability. On the contrary, the poor children are not prone to similar conditions hence they are allowed to maximize their potential according to their best ability without pushing them. In figure 3, the photo shows a class during an exam where students are striving to carry out the exercise and get good grades. The tension in the room could cause mental problems to the participants as opposed to those who do not engage in the activity. The society and education systems should be supportive of the youth to avoid pushing them to result in destructive habits because of being pressured. Foster, (2017) insinuates that the life expectancy of individuals is directly proportional to the quality of life they lead. As such, people who engage in daily activities that are unfulfilling are likely to die younger than those who are passionate about their careers. Consequently, satisfaction with the compensation for ones skills has similar impacts on the recipients. Foster (2017) relates career satisfaction with the ability to cater for the workers needs and less strain in their lives. When the income is sufficient, people are able to afford health facilities fees as well as other basic requirements. Countries that do not provide their workers with proper working conditions and fail to provide the benefits rightful for the tasks they perform experience industrial strikes more often than those that do. Therefore, the professionals in the different environments encounter variety health issues and ultimately their life-spans are not similar. The bodies mandated to solve the workers issues should carry out their duties to motivate employees. In some countries where there is extreme poverty, access to health facilities is a major challenge and where they are close they might not afford the fee charged (WHO 2017). Additionally, presence might not mean adequacy since the infrastructure might be insufficient to perform necessary procedures needed by the patients (WHO 2017). As such, the rate of maternal mortality might be relatively higher than in other countries around the globe. What does the image show? It shows two young children who lost a mother in child-delivery which is a rampant situation in the country. However, it is evident from the photo that the two individuals live under extreme deprivation such that they may not afford the basic health services. The policy-makers and other concerned parties have the power to solve these problems reduce the big gap between them and the developed nations in order to restore their dignity. References Blas, E., Gilson, L., Kelly, M. P., Labonte, R., Lapitan, J., Muntaner, C., Schrecker, T. (2008). Addressing social determinants of health inequities: What can the state and civil society do?. The Lancet, 372(9650), 1684-1689. Cummings, J. (September 2017). Retrieved from https://www.victoria.ac.nz/news/2017/09/new-zealands-health-service-performs-well,-but-inequities-remain-high Evans, M. (Nov 2013). Retrieved from www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10439196/children-of-rich-parents-suffering-increased-mental-health-problems.html Foster, K. (July 2017). Retrieved from www.independent.co.uk/news/health/health-inequality-austerity-life-expectancy-gap-liverpool-study-increasing-inequalities-strategy-a7861921.html Johnson, C.Y. (June 2017). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/06/05/america-is-a-world-leader-in-health-inequality/utm_term=.a84bd379860a Sen, G., Ostrin, P. (2008). Gender inequity in health: Why it exists and how we can change it. WHO (2017). Retrieved from www.who.int/sdhconference/background/news/facts/en/