Social Policy Is Potentially a More Important Determinant of Public Health than Medicine - Essay Example

"Social Policy Is Potentially a More Important Determinant of Public Health than Medicine" is a good example of a paper on wellness and lifestyle. The determinants of health identified as environment, lifestyles, and health care services that one can access are more important than medicine. Most governments have constantly advocated for proper health policies, which aim at reducing health inequalities. Health inequality is constantly widening in most countries according to BBC online report(News, 2005).

To reduce this gap, the US government had to look at the living conditions critically. In addition to this, the government has to help improve the education and living standards of children. The data indicate that life expectancy in wealthy areas is 7 years longer than that of poor areas. Offering good living standards to the people through fair distribution of resources is the solution to this problem. Good policies are not the only way to improve good health care but also the need for self-dependency by developing individual skills and good attitudes within society(Abel-Smith B, 1996).

A well-designed educational policy according to human needs is necessary such that professionals graduating from the education system are able to combat the health issues that linger in the society. Incorporation of curricula such as home basics and nutrition is vital for ensuring proper health care within the household in the society(Baldock, 2012). Encouraging local participation through self-help groups and the development of voluntary organizations within the society is also important in this case such that the locals are able to access health education faster and cheaply.

Child poverty is viewed as a major concern while dealing with proper health care policies. The policies enacted should ensure that good nutrition and diet are offered to children in schools(Marmot, 2003). Lack of proper diet and nutrition leads to negative effects such as impaired growth. In Britain, a policy of equal distribution of food was enacted ensuring that low-income earners are able to access nutritious food at low cost subsidized by the government. It is also important to mention that disabled people exist within the society and proper health policies should be offered to them.

It is clear that the disabled people in society access low-income and subsequently have poor living conditions. The introduction of comprehensive schemes for the disabled is necessary to ensure that their living standards are improved. As mentioned earlier, proper health depends on the working environment. Poor working environments that expose people to hazards that tamper with their health standards also cause health inequalities and disparity(Whitehead, 2007). The duration of working hours is also a major contribution while generalization about leisure time within the working hours is also a health factor in consideration.

Priority should be given to adequate housing if inequalities concerning proper health care are to be eliminated. Poor housing conditions expose people living to such places to diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. There is a need for policies to be made to help in proper housing facilities while at the same time prevent degrading the environment by promoting sustainable development. Establishment of health development councils as independent bodies are viewed as salvaging factors that could help bridge the gap between the poor and rich in terms of health and reduce inequality(Wilkinson, 2009).