Introduction:
Life chances differ greatly depending on where people are born and raised. A person who has been born and lives in Japan or Sweden can expect to live more than 80 years; in Brazil, 72 years; India, 63 years; and in several African countries, less than 50 years. Within countries, the differences in life chances are also great. The poorest people have high levels of illness and premature mortality. At all levels of income, health and illness follow a social gradient: the lower the socioeconomic position, the worse the health (M. Marmot et al., 2008).
If we analyze and compare the health status in different countries, we will notice the relationship between health inequities and political powers, income, and how services are allocated on global and local levels. As a result of corruption, inadequate social policies, discriminatory economic deals, and generally bad politics, the health and social services are not equally distributed in different countries. Overall, the conditions of daily life compose the social determinants of health and responsible for health inequity between and within countries.
In this blog posting the main social determinants of health will be explained.
Social determinants of health:
On the global level, social determinants of health are:
1. The social gradient. Life expectancy is shorter, and most diseases are more common further down the social ladder in each society.
2. Stress. Stressful circumstances, making people feel worried, anxious, and unable to cope, are damaging to health and may lead to premature death.
3. Early life. A good start in life means supporting mothers and young children: the health impact of early development and education lasts a lifetime.
4. Social exclusion. Life is short where its quality is poor. By causing hardship and resentment, poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination costs lives.
5. Work. Stress in the workplace increases the risk of the diseases. People who have more control over their work have better health.
6. Unemployment. Job security increases health, well-being, and job satisfaction. Higher rates of unemployment cause more illness and premature death.
7. Social support. Friendship, good social relations and strong supportive networks improve health at home, at work and in the community.
8. Addictions. Individual turns to alcohol, drugs and tobacco and suffer from their use, but use is influenced by the wider social setting.
9. Food. Because the global market forces control the food supply, healthy food is a political issue.
10. Transport. Healthy transport means less driving and more walking and cycling, backed up by better public transport (M. Marmot; R. Wilkinson; 2005).
The emphasis here is the need to understand how behavior is shaped by the environment, and consistent with approaching health through its social determinants, so certain environmental changes should be implemented that would lead to healthier behavior. As social beings, we need not only good material conditions but, from early childhood onwards, we need to feel valued and appreciated. We need friends, we need more sociable societies, we need to feel useful, and we need to exercise a significant degree of control over meaningful work. Without these we become prone to depression, drug use, anxiety, hostility, and feelings of hopelessness, which all rebound on physical health (M. Marmot & R. Wilkinson, 2005).
Conclusion:
Health, and health equity, should become corporate issues for the whole of government, placing responsibility for action at the highest level and ensuring its coherent consideration across all policies. The results of all policies and programs on health equity also need to be assessed. Although action across government is required, ministries of health have central roles in stewardship and information. This function requires strong leadership from
government ministers of health, with support from WHO (M. Marmot et al, 2008).
References:
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