Socio-Political Determinants of Health - Literature review Example

SOCIO-POLITICAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Name Course Date Abstract Socio-political factors play fundamental roles in defining the health status of people. Social and political policies influence unemployment level, social inequality and level of poverty. Social policies also determine the incidence of social cycles that eventually determines socio-political factors and thus health inequity. As most nations indicate, political factors influence the social policies; therefore, managing political cycles controls social issues, which in turn enhances health status. This paper discusses the impacts of socio-political factors on health. It begins with a literature review of socio-political factors that impacts health. Finally, the paper analyses the effects of socio-political factors on the health outcomes of the local government, community or area of clinical practice. 1.0. Introduction Socio-political factors play significant roles in determining the health aspects of individuals. These factors also define the degree to which an individual person uses the available resources in satisfying their daily needs. In addition, socio-political factors dictate the amount of resources the society provides to the population. Some of the resources provided by socio-political factors that determine the level of health include, employment, education, standards of living among others. In the past health specialists stressed on maintaining medical and behavioral factors in order to enjoy quality health. Currently, because of advanced learning in terms of health issues, health experts are stressing on the need of improving the social factors in order to enhance living standards (Commission on Social Determinants of Health, 2007). In addition, health specialist views the factors of health as the way the society manages and disseminates available resources. The political, economical and social forces play a larger role in shaping the policy decisions. This paper focuses in discussing socio-political determinants of health, and, therefore, it is necessary to define and highlight some of the political aspects of health. Political cycles affect the health issues in various ways. First, the affluent people in the society seem to enjoy good health compared to the underprivileged. Secondly, health is a significant aspect in the society and is therefore, contained in the constitution. This ensures equality for every person regardless of his or her status (French Jang, Tait & Anstey, 2013). Many factors come together to influence or affect health of an individual and communities. This is because of the role of the circumstances and environment in determining whether people are healthy or not within the community or society. To the global perspective, factors such as our living location, state of the environment, genetics, income, and educational levels as well as relationships with friends and family have considerable implications on the health. It is also essential to note that certain factors such as access and utilization of health care services have minimum implications on the health condition of an individual or community. There are three critical factors or determinants of health in the context of an individual or community. These determinants include social and economic environment, the physical environment, and the person’s individual characteristics and behaviors (French et al, 2013). In addition to these determinants, cultural and political environment or conditions might also have implications on the health of an individual or the community. This is because of the ability of political environment to determine the level of developments within a society thus determining whether to erect health care centers or not within a region. Income and social status have credible influence on the health of individuals. Higher income and social status relate to better health thus the greater the disparity between the rich and the poor, the greater the differences in health. Finally, politics become a primary determinant of health since the government must exercise control over health as part of sociopolitical system (Carson, 2007). Transforming such, system calls for political interventions and struggle. This paper discusses the impacts of socio-political factors on health. It begins with a literature review of socio-political factors that impacts health. Finally, the paper analyses the effects of socio-political factors on the health outcomes of the local government, community or area of clinical practice (Boyce Wood & Powdthavee, 2013). 2.0. Socio-political Determinants of Health There are various factors that dictate the health of person, and this paper discusses only the sociopolitical factors. The conditions of life experienced by people define wellbeing, and therefore, no person should bear the blame of their health status. Though the society provides enough resources for everyone to enjoy quality health; income level and education determines the quality of health for every individual. Therefore, as much as there is a great difference in terms of social status and level of income between the rich and the poor, there is a likely a great disparity in their health status (Green, 2007). The level of education also determines the aspect of health. Individuals with low level of education are likely to experience poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence. Various factors determine the degree of health experienced by the population. These factors include; ecological aspects, such as cleanliness, shelter among others. In addition, employment and labor services contribute to high productivity in work, especially for those people that are capable of controlling their working conditions (Classen, et al, 2011). Education also has massive influence in the health of an individual or a society. This is because of the tendency of relating low education levels to poor health as well as stress and aspects of lower self-confidence. Physical environment such as safe water, healthy workplaces, houses, clean air, and roads play critical roles in realizing good health. Other factors or determinants of health include health services and there accessibility, social support networks, genetics, and gender, which relates to different types of diseases and age disparities. Social support networks such as family members, friends and the community also contribute towards better health. Genetics determines health aspects since they dictate the possibility of having other types of health problems. In addition, the behavior and educational level affects the health status of an individual (Ostberg & Lennartson, 2007). Today, the universal development agenda rates health higher than any other aspect influencing the livelihood of human beings. However, health inequalities between and within countries have evolved as a fundamental concern for the international community. Yet, even with most communities, particularly, the marginalized experiencing poor health in their respective neighborhoods, there is an unprecedented chance to improve their health status. If the international community identifies approaches to solve the real causes of health problems, even the aboriginal population facing poor health will enjoy good health (Pinquart, Hoffken Silbereisen & Wedding, 2007). The social conditions that surround people’s lives and working environments are the most powerful social determinants of health. These determinants mirror peoples’ various positions in the social “hierarchy” of status, power and resources (Paradies, Harris & Anderson, 2008). In emphasizing the impacts of sociopolitical factors on health, Corburn (2009) assert that the recent decrease in mortality rate from infectious diseases such as tuberculosis happened before the development of efficient medical therapies (Klevens, et al., 2007). This means that, the society emphasized the significance of improving the sociopolitical factors that affects health. In other words, the society changed the eating pattern, that is, the types of food and improved their living environments. Furthermore, in 1946, there were constitutional amendments pertaining to healthy with the intention of identifying the sociopolitical factors that caused high death rate. The amendment also focused on the problems medical practitioners encounter in delivering medical care and educating the population on the significance of maintaining good health. The Constitution emphasizes on holistic growth, that is, maintaining, the physical, emotional and social welfare by stressing on the significance of living in clean environments (Gerstorf, Windsor, Hoppmann & Butterworth, 2013). However, even with many emphases by the constitution and other health related organizations, inequalities in healthcare continue, within countries based on socio-economic class, gender or ethnicity and between them because of wealth and resources. The manner in which the society approaches these inequalities is highly political. In essence, the society plays the role of ascertaining whether health inequalities are ‘natural’ and predictable results of personal differences both in terms of genetics and the silent hand of the economic market, or whether they are social and economic repugnance that require a modern state and a humane society to tackle them? (Baxter, 2013) Reinforcing these diverse approaches to health inequalities are divergent views of what is scientifically or economically possible, as well as differing political and ideological views about what is enviable. The society increasingly understands Genetic dispositions to poor health. Nevertheless, it is apparent that in various circumstances, ecological changes are significant and that the social and political factors are major determinants of health. Aspects, for instance, shelter, wages and employment among others that define political life—are fundamental factors of individuals’ health and physical fitness. Likewise, other major determinants of health inequalities outside the health sector, for instance, citizenship, need unrelated sector policies to focus on them (Green & Leeves, 2013). Recently, researchers have acknowledged the significance of social factors of health, but failed to address the fundamental political aspect of health and health imbalances. The government provides citizenship to persons with full nationality aspects. Individuals that have the citizenship status shares equal rights endowed by government on their status. The constitution classifies citizenship into, social, and political (Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2007). The community gained these rights because of extensive sociopolitical efforts through foreign development and capitalism. However, in spite of their similar industrialization the link between entrepreneurship and citizenship is a difficult one. Health is a relevant example of this connection, and falls under entrepreneur economic system, which the government identifies and values based on its relative interest in the financial market (Levinson, 2010). The government-commoditized health in industrial development as workers relied dependent on the market for their wellbeing. During the 20th century, inception of social nationality involved right to health and social wellbeing, however, it weakened the aspect of health status. The wellbeing state deco -modified health since various health services and living conditions became a right. In essence, entrepreneurship and nationality signify diverse norms: capitalism symbolizes disparity and citizenship represents fairness. This apprehension means that the realization of health rights in spite of its status in social nationality will require a relentless political struggle ( Luhmann, Lucas, Eid & Diener, E., 2013). 3.0 Socio- political factors that determine health of communities Marginalized communities such as the Aboriginal population experience extreme levels of racism in Australia. Their exemption from quality health and power structures is historically symbolic. The Australian government and the dominant natives labeled the aboriginal as natives. Aboriginal population grew up embracing two types of histories. The first is the memoirs preserved by family and second, is the exclusion of the aboriginal culture in education program (Magee, Heaven, P.C.L & Miller, 2013). Raphael (2007) asserted that reunion becomes a success when the community acknowledges autonomy by recognizing past injustice, property rights and cultural practices. South Australian Council of Social Service Inc. (2007) asserted that communal practices, such as Aboriginal health practices, serve as instruments to incorporate religious, emotional and bodily aspects of health and wellbeing. Furthermore, the counsels link poverty with poor health. It is the obligation of every government to protect the rights of its citizens regardless of their social status, level of education, race and so forth. The management of Country entails the management of both social and political affairs in order to create favorable environment for citizens. The perception of the marginalized communities differs with the societal perception. For instance, the Aboriginal health knowledge is unsustainable, thus reducing the chances of their health wellbeing (Paradies, Harris & Anderson, 2008). In this regard, there is increasing need for addressing health issues in this community in order to cut down the rare of mortality rate. The government should prioritize on improving the social and political challenges affecting this community in order to introduce health programs. The principle social determinant that dictates the health of communities is the cultural practice. The community requires knowledge on how to engage cultural aspects with health issues by separating social and political aspects that encourages health inequalities. In order to engage the community in receiving good health, the government should incorporate the population in making decisions through creation of co-management programs (Richardson, 2013). However, initiating such government policies that invite the community into accepting health programs for their wellbeing are difficult. This is because the community may ignore or even misunderstand the extent of the policies. Corburn (2009).acknowledges that instead of recognizing their rights to health, the government develops measures that safeguards community has related knowledge with the intention of outsourcing and commodifying certain factors. Baum (2007) asserts that when focusing on health of communities, there are political factors that hinder successful implementation of the program. The political maneuver scares the community into believing that the government will dominate over their lives, if allowed to introduce health programs. In essence, socio-political factors weaken both the opportunity and capacity of the community to engage in the in health program implemented by the government. The community, especially, individuals earning low incomes suffers greater burdens of health compared to those earning high incomes and enjoying high social status. In other words, as Kingsley Aldous Townsend & Phillips (2008) alleged the community suffers health inequality because of poverty, inadequate resources and political suppression. Other socio-political factors that determine the health of the community include lack of a sense of identity, lack of agreement binding between the community and regime, limited basic health care services in the society, and absence of skilled workforce among others. Other factors such as, such as employment and level of education influence health aspects. Baum (2007) identified other social factors of health in society such as, trauma, social segregation, joblessness and infatuation. 4.0. Influence of socio-political factors on the health outcomes Numerous researchers have made great efforts in educating the society on the fundamental social and political ideologies and procedures that affect health. Social and political aspects affect health by influencing contact and susceptibility to illness, risk-taking behaviors, and availability to quality of health care. Social and political aspects are significant in defining and responding to health challenges and the impact of poor health on persons' lives and well-being. Furthermore, such aspects increase the understanding of societal and population procedures, for instance current and varying degrees of morbidity, existence and mortality. The report by the IMNRC underscores the significance of social and political aspects that influence health and the chances for enhancing health through a better acknowledgement of structures connecting the social and political environment to certain health outcomes. Connecting research from socio-political levels assists in understanding health and illness. The aboriginal community continues to suffer significant health disparities compared to native Australians and high-class populations (Tulchinsky & Varavikova, 2008). Social and political factors, the social sciences research in conjunction with the government increases awareness of various diseases and solutions to health problems. Insufficient health education is an extensive problem, affecting a high number of aboriginal populations in Australia, whereby only a small number of people indicates low levels of education literacy (Norman, Church, van den Berg & Goodall, 2013). The inadequate health education causes insufficient commitment in decisions regarding their health care and can deter their capability of realizing the benefits of health care advances. Research carried out indicates limited health education with unfavorable results as poor self-management of chronic illnesses, reduced healthy behaviors, increased rates of hospitalizations, and generally poorer health outcomes (Tulchinsky & Varavikova, 2008). 5.0 Reflection Sociopolitical factors play fundamental roles in defining the health status of people. Social and political policies influence unemployment level, social inequality and level of poverty. Social policies also determine the incidence of social cycles that eventually determines socio-political factors and thus health inequity. As most nations indicate, political factors influence the social policies; therefore, managing political cycles controls social issues, which in turn enhances health status. This paper discusses the impacts of socio-political factors on health. It begins with a literature review of socio-political factors that impacts health. Finally, the paper analyses the effects of socio-political factors on the health outcomes of the local government, community or area of clinical practice. The sociopolitical factors define the extent to which an individual person embraces the physical, social, and personal resources to identify and realize personal ambitions, satisfy needs, and cope with the environment (Kifle, 2013). Furthermore, as asserted by Thaler & Sunstein (2008), these factors also define the degree to which an individual person uses the available resources in satisfying their daily needs. In addition, socio-political factors dictate the amount of resources the society provides to the population. Some of the resources provided by socio-political factors that determine the level of health include, employment, education, standards of living among others. As reported by VACCHO (2008) persons with the opportunity of earning high income enjoys a high social status, which means that they are capable of accessing good health compared to persons with low income (Gunasekara Carter & McKenzie, 2013). For this reason, as confirmed by Ostberg & Lennartson (2007), the gap between the rich and the poor continues to extend, which eventually increases health disparity in the society. Education level is also a social determinant that influences health aspect within the community. In most cases, persons with low level of education are likely to experience poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence. They have a perception that poor health links with education illiteracy. Education illiteracy in this context goes hand in hand with health literacy (Keily & Butterworth, 2013). Individuals with limited education have limited knowledge and tend to shy away from social realities. For instance, the aboriginal community is contented with their social status and they isolate themselves from any socio-political interventions that address any developmental program. Perhaps, their cultural perspectives may contribute towards their alienation from the societal. However, they dismiss any governmental developmental programs because they fear cultural transformation. Physical environments is another social determinant of health which include, safe water and clean air, healthy working environment, safe houses , good roads ( Headey, Muffels & Wagner, 2013). 6.0 Conclusion Each of the factors may contribute either directly or indirectly towards the improvement of healthcare. For instance, effective working conditions pose a direct impact on healthcare outcome. The social support networks, such as, family members, friends and the community also contribute towards better health. In essence, the sociopolitical factors of health views the health aspects as being how the society manages and disseminates financial and social wealth, and therefore, emphasizes on streamlining financial and social strategies as means of enhancing it. Furthermore, political interventions also play a larger role in shaping the policy decisions. First, Health is political because, like any other resource or commodity under a neo-liberal economic system, some social groups have more of it than others do. Secondly, health becomes political because its social determinants are acquiescent to political interferences and are thus reliant on political action. Thirdly, Health is political because the right to enjoy quality health and well-being is an aspect of citizenship and a human right. 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