Determinants of Health Factors: Transport, Housing, Behaviors, and Location

This article discusses the determinants of health factors such as transport, housing, health behaviors and lifestyles, and location factors. It also focuses on the Health Determinants of the Aboriginals and Torres Islanders.

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DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH FACTORS
By [Name]
Course
Professor’s Name
Institution
Location of Institution
Date

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Table of Contents
Determinants of Health Factors...................................................................................................................3
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3
Transport.............................................................................................................................................3
Housing...............................................................................................................................................5
Health Behaviors and Lifestyles..........................................................................................................6
Location...............................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................................9
References.............................................................................................................................................11

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Determinants of Health Factors
Introduction
Human beings exhibit different health conditions. There are people of good health, while
others have a deteriorating health condition. Healthy individuals attribute their states to specific
positive factors as the sick ones point to specific negative issues (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2017).
There are numerous determinants of Health Factors. This paper discusses the following
determinants of health: Transport, Housing, Health Behaviors and Lifestyles, and Location
factors. A useful transport network minimizes accidents. A proper house translates to better
health conditions for the dwellers. Healthy behaviors such as balanced diet enhance adequate
health. This article discusses the Health Determinants of the Aboriginals and Torres Islanders.
Transport
Transport refers to the movement of people, and commodities from one place to the
other. Due to increasing urbanization and industrialization, transport departments are
constructing more roads networks in Australia (Mueller et al., 2015). The increase in the number
of parcels of lands that the network covers reduces the size of property for agricultural purposes.
Reduction in the area available for farming in Torres leads to a depreciation in agrarian food
produce. A population that looks sufficient food is an unhealthy community (Tainio et al., 2017).
Food is essentials are its nutrients such as vitamins, carbohydrates, and lipids lead to body
development; eventually, ensuring the existence of good health (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2017).
Once, the Australian road authorities (ARA) use more land for road construction, little or
land remains for recreational activities. Children, as well as grownups, cannot take part in
physical exercise. Therefore, islanders become unhealthy (Woodcock et al., 2014). Some

Determinants of Health Factors 4
diseases are as a result of sedentary lifestyles such as obesity sets in (Tainio et al., 2017). In case
the little land is used in the construction exercise, more land becomes available; hence, persons
can take part in physical activities to remain healthy (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2017). Good road
networks ensure smooth traffic flow; therefore few or no accidents reported on the roads.
Australians who live in areas that have proper infrastructure live longer lives as they become less
prone to crashes.
On the other hand, Torres who plies lousy road networks are prone to accidents. Increase
in the number of road networks increases the number of motor vehicles that ply those roads
(Tainio et al., 2017). Automobiles burn fuels, producing energy that drives them from one place
to the other. The end product of the combusted fuel results in air pollution. Islanders living close
to roads suffer from the effects of the infection (Tainio et al., 2017). Hydrocarbons, and
Sulfurous compounds from the pollutions mix with atmospheric air (Mueller 2015). When rain
season offset, rainwater mixes with the sulfurous compounds to form Sulfuric acids. The acid
destroys vegetations; hence, leading to food shortage (Tainio et al., 2017).
Furthermore, the acids mix with waters, the mixture destroys aquatic animals including
fishes. Marine life is a nutritious source of food for Aboriginals (Tainio et al., 2017). Individuals
who eat fish are healthier than those that do not (Mueller et al., 2015). Fish is rich in iron and
carbon nutrients. Automobiles produce noise from their engines, at the time of Combustion.
Noise pollution affects the hearing abilities of individuals closer to road networks as compared to
those away from roads (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2017). On a positive note, improved transport
networks boost the economic power of a given state as the movement of goods and services from
one place to another becomes more comfortable (Nieuwenhuijsen et al., 2017). Moreover more

Determinants of Health Factors 5
people get employment chances in the transport sector. A developed economy boosts the health
of citizens.
Housing
Housing refers to dwellings where individuals reside. Some Torres Straits stay in: well
furnished and permanent houses (Currie et al., 2015). Others live in semi-permanent apartments;
while the rest occupy homes constructed poorly. Individuals having well-paying jobs are the
ones who rent well-furnished houses (Santamouris and Kolokosta, 2015). The middle-class
Aboriginals dominate semi-permanent dwellings as the Torres live in apartments of questionable
qualities. Individuals who reside in "proper" houses have a better health status as compared to
their counterparts residing in "bad" houses.
High-end rentals are mostly self-contained houses. They have a bathroom and toilet
within it. However, low-class dwellings do not have the two rooms inside them. The two
additional places exist outside the living room (Gilderbloom, Riggs and Meares, 2015).
Individuals in self-contained apartments are stress-free as they can easily access bathroom and
toilets after a very short walking distance. Furthermore, they are free to use the restrooms at
night; due to the safety of the location. A safe living ensures a comfortable life; hence, improving
the quality of health. On the other hand, people in houses that have the washrooms outside tend
to live a stressful life (Maidment et al., 2014). In those rentals, the tenants share few constructed
pit latrines. Therefore, the maintenance of the toilets is a problem as many people use them.
In many occasions, shared latrines become very dirty and unhealthy. A dirty toilet leads
to bad life. Tenants are likely to suffer from diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and bilharzia
among others (Maidment et al., 2014). Apart from the self-contained toilets and washrooms,
maintenance and improvement of a rental apartment increase the rent that the landlords ask from

Determinants of Health Factors 6
them (Currie et al., 2015). The stresses of giving house owners, an improved rent every month
are detrimental to the health of an individual (Gilderbloom, Riggs and Meares, 2015). When
landowners adjust rental fees to individuals with low incomes, they develop stress-related
conditions such as high blood pressure.
Individuals who earn hefty wages bother less about an increase in rent as compared to
those of little incomes. Therefore, an increase in the amount of rent increases stress, leading to
reduced health. Residential places having correctly designed fire extinguishers are safe from
unpredictable fire incidents. However, areas that lack a proper system of combating such
incidence are vulnerable (Santamouris and Kolokosta, 2015). Aboriginals residing in the former
have good health as they are safe during fire outbreaks. The latter are a worried lot about how
they can survive on such incidences. Therefore, they lead a stressful life lowering their health
standards. There are residential areas which are located in clean environments as others face
sewage sources. Rentals with high-quality air indoors, better interior design, proper waste
disposal, fire extinguisher, and other quality conditions, ensure good health of dwellers
(Santamouris and Kolokosta 2015).
Health Behaviors and Lifestyles
How an individual leads their life to determine whether they remain healthy or otherwise.
Different lifestyles impact the health of a person, either positively or negatively. Those that
smoke cigarette and other substances such as bhang have a more average life as opposed to non-
smokers (El-Zaatari, Chami and Zaatari, 2015). The habit of smoking results in health-
threatening conditions such as liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, psychosis, gastrointestinal
complications, and at some time leading to stroke (Conlon, M.A and Bird, 2014). Nonsmokers
have zero chances of contacting such difficulties.

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Aboriginals who abuse alcoholic drinks are in greater danger of health setbacks as
compared to nondrinkers. Perennial alcoholics who drink drive cause accidents due to reckless
driving (W.H.O and W.H.0, 2014). Furthermore, when someone is under the influence of an
alcoholic substance, they participate in unprotected sexual intercourse (Vegenas 2015). Alcohol
impairs the rational judgment of addicts; hence leading to unplanned pregnancies (Vegenas
2015). Additionally, the addicts can contract HIV/AIDs due to irresponsible sex. HIV/AIDs is a
killer disease which results in death for those infected.
Diet is another essential determinant of health factors. Individuals who have assured food
security are healthier than those who lack food (W.H.O and W.H.O, 2014). A balanced diet
consists of vitamins, water, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and oils (W.H.O and W.H.O,
2014). Those that feed n a balanced diet escape nutritional disorders such as Marasmus and
Kwashiorkor; whereas, mulnutrionized children suffer from the two ailments (Vegenas et al.,
2015). Those who consume more vegetables and fruits prevent chances of contracting diseases
such as heart infections, cancer, and stroke (Conlon, M.A and Bird, 2014). Individuals who skip
such dietary components are vulnerable to a variety of ailments.
Torres Straight Islanders who take excess amounts of saturated fats, polyunsaturated
compounds, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides increase their chances of contacting
metabolic disorders. Such disorders include stroke, overweight, hypertension, and stroke (El-
Zaatari, Chami and Zaatari, 2015). On the other hand, Aboriginals who involve self in regular
physical exercises reduce chances of contacting metabolic diseases (Vegenas et al., 2015).
Physical activities enhance the conversation of excess fats and carbohydrates into metabolic
energy (W.H.O and W.H.O, 2014). Furthermore, workouts strengthen one's muscles; thus,
reducing incidences of muscle pull and other complications.

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Alcoholic addiction is responsible for some violence cases. Those under the influence of
alcohols can quickly start a fight under the slightest of provocations. Alcoholism remains to be a
significant cause of marriage breakages, and needles fist fights (W.H.O and W.H.O, 2014).
Therefore, addiction threatens the peaceful coexistence of a nation. Torres Straits who live
peacefully have little stress; hence have good health. Those that are always in constant
disagreements can easily develop dangerous health complications. Alcohol and smoking
consume a significant amount of money that could have been used to purchase foodstuff (W.H.O
and W.H.O, 2014). The two habits make a family starve, in case the sole breadwinner is an
addict.
Location
Location refers to the physical setting when an individual spends most of their time. The
term is broad as it includes a person's residential area, place of work, and even resting sites
(Sandiffer, Sutton-Grier and Ward, 2015). Aboriginals who can access safe and clean water
sources are healthier than those that use dirty water (Parsons, 2014). Water is a useful natural
resource that aids in almost every aspect of life. Just to mention a few, water is used in cooking,
washing clothes, bathing, metabolic processes, and chemical reactions in the body (Triguero-Mas
et al., 2015). Those drinking clean water are safe from water-borne diseases such as cholera,
typhoid, and bilharzia. The vice versa is true.
Aboriginals should ensure that their private places and workstation are in areas having
clean atmospheric air. Saturated conditions of atmosphere bear disease are causing vectors and
particles which include: dust particles, harmful carbon dioxide and other gases, and unpleasant
smells (Hystad et al., 2014). Workers of companies located in favorable atmospheric conditions,
breathe fresh air; hence, they are healthier than those working in poorly situated organizations.

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Proper infrastructure also impacts the health of an individual either positively or negatively
(Hystad et al., 2014). Chances of road carnages are low on appropriate roads as compared to
weak road networks.
A well-constructed road is safe as the number of accidents reduces. However, workers
who use poor feeder roads, to and from workstations are vulnerable to crashes (Triguero-Mas
2015). Communities that surround a workplace are also a determinant of health factors. When
the people that live next to a company are violent, the lives of the staff members are under
immense threat (Sandiffer, Sutton-Drier and Ward, 2015). On the other hand, a peaceful
community does not interfere with the quiet operations of a company. Before constructing an
institution, the board of directors should ensure that the location is safe. Those that stay
inadequately built houses are healthier than those living in improperly made apartments.
A correctly built house is one that has a proper foundation and conforms to the
topological orientation of a given area. Whereas, a poorly constructed one having a week
foundation and goes against the terrain of the location (Sandiffer et al., 2015). Aboriginals
residing in safer houses are stress-free as they are secure for all reasons whether rainy, sunny or
periods of earthquakes (Parsons, 2014). On the other hand, Torres Islanders inhabiting poorly
constructed apartments are a worried lot (Triguero-Mas et al., 2015). They are likely to suffer the
most n periods of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and other intense storms
(Hystad et al., 2014).
An organization should ensure that hygienic conditions exist at workstations. Workplaces
have proper hygiene support a healthy existence as opposed dirty environments. The absence of
appropriate safety mechanisms risk the lives of workers; reducing their productivity (Sandiffer et
al., 2015).

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Conclusion
Healthy living depends on a person’s location, hosing, and state of the job place.
Furthermore, someone’s character, diet and transport network also determine the state of health
(Hystad et al., 2014). Clean residential areas and work places ensure a healthy life for tenants
and workers respectively. An addict of alcohol is likely to develop complications such as liver
cirrhosis (Hystad et al., 2014). A person who feeds on a balanced diet is healthier than the person
who eats an unbalanced food. Physical exercises ensure that one is safe from metabolic
complications such as obesity (Hystad et al., 2014). Finally, a well-constructed road network
minimizes the chances of road accidents.

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