Exam questions review - Case Study Example

Download file to see previous pages... Each individual health status is unique in a way as these factors interact. The determinants of health can be classified as individual, cultural and structural. Individual determinants can be defined as personal characters that influence the health of a person. They may include: The level of education and employment status, Lifestyle such as smoking habits, physical exercise Gender; females are prone to diseases as compared to male Age: the health of children and the aged is prone to infections while the middle aged people are healthier. Disability, disability reduces the health status of an individual, e.g. albinism Cultural factors result from cultural practices and only affect the followers of a certain culture. For instance; Religion, some religious beliefs influence health, such as fasting Cultural lifestyle may prohibit or praise certain health influencing habits e.g. eating habits Social support systems such as family, friends and relatives can expose to information, or influence an individual in a manner that reduces ones stress level. Structural determinants refer to the environmental factors such as; Accessibility to health facilities, Health care financing, Technology and infrastructure, Access to health care information among many others. The above factors can also be classified as risk factor or risk condition. A risk factor is refers to agents attributed to persons character or behavior that raise the possibility of getting infected and may include smoking, lack of exercises, 1; while a risk condition refers to the causal agents of an infection resulting from external environment that is beyond the individuals control. For instance living in a poor condition or working in amine. Health conditions are observed to vary with the income of Canadians. A higher percentage of the people who seek medical attendance are the low income earners. The rich have fewer worries on health with a lesser percentage being diagnosed for chronic conditions when compared to the poor. Income inequality reduces health standards. Higher levels of inequality are characterized by high infant mortality, homicide and crime rates. Therefore as the gap widens, the above named negative social factors increase among the poor generation hence decreasing social mobility. The relationship between health and extreme inequality can be explained by employment, public policy and spending, trust as well as welfare regimes. Employment provides income, stability and sense of identity as well as creating variations in levels of stress, physical health due to working conditions. Public policy affects distribution of income as well as how material resources, power and money flow in the society. A policy can therefore reduce or increase inequality. This calls for healthy public policies on the determinants of health in efforts to reduce social inequality. Welfare regimes determine how resources are allocated t to citizens, i.e. either to the whole state, individual families or left at the market for battle. Public spending on the other hand equalizes the welfare of the citizens by making necessities available for all classes. Public spending reduces inequality but its effect will vary from one regime to another. Trust is seen to reduce with increase in inequality implying that trust increases health standards2. Social exclusion refers to denial of certain groups to participate in common societal activities. In Canada immigrants ...Download file to see next pagesRead More