Primary Health Care and Social Determinants of Health

Running head: HEALTH CARE
Health care
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1HEALTH CARE
1.
The video by Rural Health Channel (2014, January 15) gave idea of a primary health
care project ‘Healing Circle at Gnibi’ that was carried out in Western Australia to help the
people recover from sexual assault trauma. The two social determinants of health that
helped to determine the need for the project included social support networks and
education. Social determinants are those factors that have an impact on health and use of
health services by an individual. According to World Health Organization (2019), having
proper social support networks like greater support from family, friend and communities is
also linked to better health outcomes. However, negative aspect of social support such as
relational conflict, role obligation and insensitive advice from friends lead to negative
health outcomes. Community based social support networks is one factor can increase
convenient connection with others and developing a judgment free space for individuals to
share their information about health status (Wright, 2016). Hence, social networks can
empower people to promote health and well-being.
The video demonstrated that there is a need to strengthen social support for parents so
that they can provide safe environment to their children. It mentions about a program that
can help to address isolation and neglect by giving disadvantage group a platform to meet
and talk. The program revealed how sharing experiences and providing support can address
this determinant of health for vulnerable children.
Another vital social determinant of health that determined the need for the project
included education and awareness. Education is a factor that influences behaviour and
attitude and has significant impact on health. Mursal and Dong (2018) defines that

2HEALTH CARE
education is a key determinant of health as it shapes individual health behaviour. Education
is a factor that increases knowledge, literacy, critical thinking skills, job opportunities and
improving health behaviours and ability to manage risk activities. Hence, person with
adequate health literacy can have good health outcomes and low probability of non-
utilization of health services.
The video demonstrated that cases of neglect and abuse occur because parents are
unaware about the benefit of social exposure and safe environment on children health.
Hence, in case of lost community like Kulamburu, the program focused on improving
health of community by educating them about dangers of drugs and alcohols and
suggesting better ways to deal with life stressors. The Circle change was one of the
initiative implemented by the Government to ensure that proper education based support
was provided to the people of the region. The program mainly provides education regarding
lifestyle changes and the best ways to deal with life problems. Hence, by providing
opportunity for the community to share story and learn between people, the program
worked to demonstrate the responsibility of a community in educating vulnerable group and
reduce risk of neglect and adverse health event for them. Help and support in the form of
education can be crucial to well-being and development of positive spirit (Rural Health
Channel, 2014, January 15).
2.
The main goal of primary health care is to promote health and wellness of the local
population and protect them from disease and illness. The five guiding principles of
primary health care include equity, access, empowerment, inter-sectoral collaboration and