The number of people affected by lifestyle related diseases is high in all parts of the world today. The most common lifestyle related diseases are diabetes, cancer, cardio-vascular and respiratory diseases. The projections show that the mortality rate due to lifestyle related diseases is rising in most of the countries. This is due to the presence of risk factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and excessive intake of alcohol. All the sections of society are vulnerable to these diseases. Medical professionals, particularly the doctors are expected to be extra conscious with regard to their health. However, the data show that the risk factors are equally present amongst them. The social consequences of lifestyle …show more content…
This model illustrates the following factors in the form of four layers which are as follows –a) At the centre: Age, gender and genetic factors. b) First Layer: Person’s lifestyle or behavior factors. c) Second Layer: Social and community networks. d) Third Layer: Living and working environment e.g. work conditions, education, housing, healthcare services etc. e) Fourth Layer: Socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions present in the society. A numbers of studies carried out on the relationship between social conditions and emergence of a disease have also come up with the same observations as given by Dahlgren and Whitehead Model. World Health Organisation also recoganised the importance of role of social factors in the wellbeing of people and came forward with the formation of ‘Commission on Social Determinants of Health’ in 2008 to address the issue of social inequities. Since the study is focused on the lifestyle related diseases, it is important to understand the sociological conceptualization of …show more content…
They are mainly concerned with the daily habits of people. These diseases are of long duration, slow progression, not completely treatable and non-communicable in nature, so these diseases are also sometimes named as chronic non-communicable diseases. The other synonyms used for these diseases are ‘diseases of affluence’, ‘diseases of civilization’, ‘diseases of longevity’ etc. WHO (2005a) stated that lifestyle related diseases are not solely the result of genetic factors and individual’s behavior but the environmental factors such as physical, socio-cultural and economic factors also play an important role. WHO considers them to form major part of the disease burden of the world. WHO (2005) enlisted the following factors for the causation of these
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are increasingly becoming a major problem of Public Health around the World. The impact of resources and material deprivation among people and populations has resulted in an increase in mortality rate on a planetary scale. Social determinants of health are defined as the personal, social, economic and the environmental conditions which determines the health status of an individual or population (Gardner, 2013). Today’s society is characterized by inequalities in health, education, income and many other factors which as a result is becoming a burden for Public Health around the world. Research studies have shown that the conditions in which people live and work strongly influenced their health. Individuals with high levels of education and fall within the high income bracket turn to have stable jobs, live in the best neighborhood and have access to quality health care system than individuals who have low education and fall with the low income bracket. This paper is to explain different social determinants of health and how they play ...
Over the last several years, the United States has experienced the emergence of countless lifestyle based illnesses. We have seen an increase of inactivity, poor nutrition, an increase of tobacco use, and more frequent alcohol consumption; Americans are living unhealthy lifestyles that are surely factors contributing to the pervasiveness of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases use to be seen as problems that older generations faced, but over the past several years the United States’ working age group has become a main target. For example, Americans are experiencing higher rates of diabetes, and heart disease. Conditions like these only lead to a diminished quality of life, could possibly lead to shorter life spans, disability, and quite possibly in the long run increased health care costs. Businesses are also impacted by an employees lifestyle decisions; absenteeism and presenteeism.
Wilkinson, R. M. (2003). Social determinants of health - the solid facts. [S.l.]: World Health Organization.
...an, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health: coming
Wilkinson, R.G. & Marmot, M.G. 2003, Social determinants of health: the solid facts, World Health Organization.
Wilkinson, R. G., & Marmot, M. G. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts.
According to the World Health Organisation (2017) the social determinants of health are defined as the conditions where people are born, grown, work and live, which also includes the health system. The social determinants of health determined populations health’s outcomes and therefore linked with health inequalities (WHO, 2017)
The biomedical model of health has been criticised because it fails to include the psychological and social causes relating to an individual’s medical illness or health, looking only at the biological causes (Giddens and Sutton, 2013). Therefore, sociologists being aware of the impacts of social structure and lifestyle on health have put in various efforts to place the study of ‘the social’ at the core of health and healthcare examination.
Over the years, the social determinants of health (SDOH) have been receiving more attention due to its importance in determining peoples’ health access, health quality and health outcome. The social determinants of health have been described by various scholars as the situation or environmental condition in which people are born, or where they grow, live and work; unfortunately these conditions have continued to affect and determine people’s ability to access proper care.1-5 In other words, the SDOH continues to consciously and unconsciously influence people’s access to most opportunities in life including access to healthcare services both in developed and developing countries.2 This issues have continue to deteriorate in most developing countries increasing people’s susceptibility to multi-morbidity among different age groups, with a slight increase among the elderly.6
Although very divergent in their focus, the existing theoretical models seem to have some similarities and differences. This is especially true in regard to their factors of analysis when considering social determinants of health. For example, Krieger’s ecosocial theory encompasses and acknowledges the roles of social and psychosocial processes of disease process (WHO 2010).
This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, socioeconomic status, education, geographical location, early childhood development, occupation, and social support. Social determinants are classified, specifically, as fixed or variable. This ultimately means that one’s classified “social determinant” is either something that is unable to be changed or is something that is able to be altered. Therefore, there are some social determinants for which the individual has a choice on whether or not their actions are controlled by those specific facets of themselves. For example, some social determinants for which an individual has no choice includes their race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status (or more specifically, the socioeconomic status for which you are born to), and early childhood development. Compared to other social determinants, these are factors to every individual that we are unable to change, due to the fact that these specific characteristics are traits that we are born with. Although some of these determinants are able to be changed, the health implications that are connected to these factors will continue to alter and change the individual’s life. For instance, there are specific health issues that affect more individuals in a specific race or gender compared to another social group, ultimately altering the individual’s health. Also, socioeconomic status is linked to many
-World Health Organization. 2013. Chronic disease. Available at: http://www. who.int/topics/chronic diseases/en/. Access date 1 December 2013.
Social determinants of health has been a large topic for many years and can have a positive and negative effect on individuals, families and communities. (World Health Organisation, 2009) The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels, which are themselves influenced by policy choices. Social determinants have many factors and in this essay education will be the main social determinant of health discussed and how this could have an impact on the physical and mental sides of health.
Sociology of Health and Illness The sociological approaches focus on identifying the two sociological theories. We critically analysed the biomedical model and doctor-patient relationship. We also evaluated how the medical professionals exercise social control and the medical professional’s contribution to ill health. The difference between society and health is studied by sociologists in relation to health and illness.
Over the years teenagers have been getting fatter and every year the number of individuals who are obese increases. In America, today's youth is known for having the worst eating habits in history. Teenagers are eating large amounts of obesogenic foods and craving Hot Cheetos for breakfast. Over the decades the eating habits of individuals have dramatically changed. Since 1980 obesity among adolescents has increased dramatically. Obesity is more common in adolescents now than it ever has been and the current generation may not outlive their parents. It is clear that something has to be done and quick before all of America is obese. It is not just the problem of one group or individual to fix. It is going to take everyone, including the government,