HEALTHCARE

The Determinants of Health Have an Effect on a Person Health

The Determinants of Health Have an Effect on a Person Health

Introduction

Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities. Whether people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment. To a large extent, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family all have considerable impacts on health, whereas the more commonly considered factors such as access and use of health care services often have less of an impact. (Brody, 2009: 45-61)

Discussion

The first determinant, policies and interventions play a vital role in health because it is the future of health care. Since it will soon be mandatory for everyone to purchase health insurance, it certainly will be affecting one's health.  The more time and money individuals invest in health, they more they will use the services.  With more services being used, people will be healthier and less likely to develop any illness or disease such as cancer.  (Banks, 2002: 40-42)

  Next, the physical environment has factors that directly determine an overall health.  Obviously in an infected area of a communicable disease, an individual is more prone to acquiring that disease.   What many do not know is that toxins could also be a major contribution to bad health which could ultimately cause disease.   These toxins are chemicals that come from just about anything. From the plastic we drink from, to the shampoo we put in our hair, toxic chemicals surround us daily.   This physical environment factor could possibly be controlled by routine cleansing. (Dansky, 2008: 320-330)

The third determinant, social environment is a strong indicator of an individual's health.  Stress, type of recreational activities, and lifestyle often relate.  Usually when and individual is overwhelmed and stress, immune system deteriorates causing the person to be more apt to catching a bug.  Unhealthy recreational activities such as drinking and drugs would also put a negative effect on health.   People that live unhealthy lifestyles, which may include, eating fast food, not grooming properly, and living in a poor housing environment is a strong indicator of unhealthy behaviours.  (Palank, 2001: 815- 832)

The individual, biology or behavior, is also a major determinant of health.  If a person's genetic makeup and family history show a distinct type of disease, that individual may be prone to developing that disease in the future. For example two people that both have family history of high blood pressure give birth to a baby girl.  This baby may also be susceptible to developing high blood pressure and possibly heart disease. A specific behavior, like discussed above in the social environment has proven to also be a strong indicator of health. (Booth-Kewley, 2007: 343-362)

The final determinant of one's health is the access to quality health care.  This one determinant is extremely important for an individual's wellbeing.  A person may have bad habits that affect all of the other determinants but if they have ...