SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Social Determinants of Health

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of variegated social determinants in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on social determinants and its relation with public health. The research also analyzes many aspects of HIV/AIDS and tries to gauge its effect on public health. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for poor health status and tries to describe the overall effect of social determinants on health status.

Social Determiners and International Public Health in the Caribbean Region

The impact of social determiners on the public health status of the Caribbean region (Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti)

There are variegated social factors that are causing its impact on the public health status. Most of the English speaking countries of Caribbean region are part of economic structure CARICOM. CARICOM has taken a lot steps to improve the healthcare condition in Caribbean countries. CARICOM has also conducted research related to healthcare sector. Their research revealed certain socioeconomic factors those has substantial affects on the status of public health. The first and most important social factor that can affect the healthcare status is of class with which a person belongs. In most of the Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti economic inequality is prevalent that affects the social class. Most of the population is very poor and belong to the low class which makes them difficult to bear the increasing cost of the healthcare which eventually affects the public health status. If we look at the demographic factors of the Caribbean countries it would be revealed to us that over the past few years, there is a decrease in the death rate (Godfrey, 2009). This indicates that there would be the increase in the population of old, aged people. Increase in population of old, aged people means that there would be more age related illness. Another important social factor is the prevalence of violence. The prevalence of violence is present to a greater extent in Cuba. When there would be more violence, then it is obvious that there would be an increase in the various sorts of injuries which would give rise to the negative impacts of public health status. In a nutshell it can be said that factors such as poverty, lack of education, poor parenting, lack of information about various diseases and self hygiene and lack of availability of indulgence into recreational activities affects the public health status. One most indispensable factor or social determinant can be racism and the role that race and ethnicity plays. According to a survey of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) revealed that being socially white suggests that white people are more educated and in a better state of health. This creates health inequality in the society (Ocampo, 2002).

Physical, psychological, and environmental factors crossing international boundaries that impact public health practice in the Caribbean

The environment and the condition in which a person lives cause its impact ...