The Field of Health Care Continues to Progress - Assignment Example

?Introduction The field of health care continues to progress, owing to the great advances in information, technology, and research. For example, muchis now known about the human genome and how genetics play a role in disease processes. The next frontier probably in the study of genetics is how it can be manipulated to help in discovering cures. Due to advances in research, too, drugs for many diseases are being discovered, leading to more treatment options and more affordable drugs. While the study of genetics and disease processes can contribute to understanding how disease affects individuals, genetics is not enough to explain how entire populations develop disease. In addition, good medicine does not consist solely of treating diseases, but by preventing them before they start. Both of these issues are addressed by the work of Wilkinson and Marmot (2003), “Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts.” The book looks into the factors that affect the health conditions of entire populations. The intent is to raise public awareness regarding what makes people ill, which in turn could lead to a shift to healthier lifestyle choices. The aim is for prevention, and not for treatment of disease. In a larger scale, the work also aims to influence or guide policy makers in creating policies and programs for the betterment of health of entire populations. There are ten things that affect the health conditions of populations, according to the book. These are the following: (1) the social gradient, (2) stress, (3) early life, (4) social exclusion, (5) work, (6) unemployment, (7) social support, (8) addiction, (9) food, and (10) transport. While all these factors can be altered at least minimally at the individual level, they are best addressed by the society as a whole. The authors present current relevant literature for each social determinant. They talk about how each can lead to diseases of the population and offer recommendations on what policies or programs can be done, or are being done, to address it. An example of disease that has been gaining attention as a lifestyle disease is diabetes mellitus. An article in The West Australian Newspaper (2006) calls it an “epidemic.” Even though great advances in research has thoroughly explained how an individual can develop diabetes, and even though drugs to control the disease and its complications are continuously being developed at a fast pace, the disease continues to spread rampantly. This illustrates how drugs and an understanding of a disease alone cannot control a disease. What is needed is an understanding of how people developed diabetes mellitus, which can be obtained through understanding the social determinants of health. The news article expresses the same sentiment. Diabetes mellitus is no longer a purely medical problem, but of public health concern. Health experts have expressed that legislative measures and health campaigns already needs to be undertaken to address the problem. This paper will look into diabetes mellitus and the social determinants of health that greatly impact the development of the disease among the population. Body Diabetes mellitus is viewed by medical professionals as a lifestyle disease. While genetics play a role in acquiring the disease, it is largely influenced by lifestyle choices. The two social determinants relevant to the development of diabetes mellitus are food and transport. One of the risk factors of developing diabetes mellitus is obesity, which is due to excess intake of food. While it may seem that choosing the quality and amount of food intake is an individual choice, the social determinants of health theory stresses that it is also largely a political issue. People can only eat what is available, and what is available is influenced by a country’s policies on food trade, food regulation, and food distribution. Policies that favor the distribution and accessibility of nutritious and healthy food for everyone can impact largely on the development of obesity. Information regarding healthy food can also be influenced politically. Public awareness campaigns and school curriculum can have significant impact on how a culture views food and what it means to eat healthily. Diabetes mellitus can also be brought about by a sedentary lifestyle. A related social determinant is transport. Walking and cycling can prevent the development of obesity and the onset of diabetes mellitus, among other health benefits. However, to be able to take part in such activities, people need to have a safe road free from the dangers of road accidents and other trauma. A safe road would also mean that there is little or no pollution and there is no fear of being attacked. These are things that can be politically achieved with programs and policies that favor walking and cycling over driving. Government could also focus on creating safe spaces rather than building roads for cars. Schulz et al. (2005) also related the social determinants food and transport to diabetes mellitus. In their study of community-based participatory diabetes prevention, the community they worked with initially wanted access to information and health services, both of which are not as an entity included in the social determinants of health. However, delving into the issues that cause disease in their community enabled the participants to realize that what they really needed were access to quality food and safe spaces for exercise and physical activity. Because of their knowledge of the social determinants of health, they were able to redirect their energies into working towards goals that were more attainable and had greater impact on their community. Conclusion This paper looked at diabetes mellitus from the viewpoint of the social determinants of health perspective presented by Wilkinson and Marmot (2003). Particularly relevant to diabetes mellitus are food and transport as these determinants lead to obesity and sedentary lifestyles, which are the direct precursors of diabetes mellitus. By targeting the roots of the disease, a greater impact on the health of entire populations is expected. Changes in food and transport choices can start from the individual. However, to be able to affect more people in a larger scale, the policy makers must step in. Using the social determinants of health framework, the development of policies and programs could shift the entire population to healthier options and a greater quality of life. References Schulz, A. J. et al., 2005. Healthy eating and exercising to reduce diabetes: exploring the potential of social determinants of health frameworks within the context of community-based participatory diabetes prevention. American Journal of Public Health, 95(4), pp 645-651. Videnieks, M., 2006. Warning goes out on type 2 diabetes crisis. The West Australian Newspaper, 21 March. Wilkinson, R. and Marmot, M., 2003. Social determinants of health: the solid facts, second edition. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. Read More