Social Determinants of Health among Diabetic Patients

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Social, Determinants of Health among Diabetic Patients
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. According to
the World Health Organization (WHO) (n.d.), social determinants are the conditions in which
individuals develop, live, operate and age, and the sickness management schemes are in place.
The social determinants of health among diabetic patients include health care, education,
economic stability, built environment, social and community support as illustrated in Figure 1.
Health care
Limited health care resources are a social determinant that can limit access to health facilities or
improve the likelihood of poor health outcomes. Aspects like transportation, neighbourhood
security and nutritious diet are components of the physical environment. If obstacles to these
variables exist among diabetic patients, this will lead to inaccessibility to resources among low-
income communities, thus magnifying the impacts. For instance, poor transportation in rural
areas may make it difficult to access health care services or healthy food (Walker,
Gebregziabher, Martin-Harris, & Egede, 2014). Thus, the absence of public transport in remote
or city regions may deter people from travelling to access better health care.
Education
Better academic achievement has been associated with enhanced health results, due to a higher
probability of socio-economic stability as opposed to those with lower educational levels.
Socioeconomic factors include the education level that also determines one’s ability to afford
health insurance coverage. Economically disadvantaged areas often lack main and epxert health
care providers, reducing access to health care for residents with chronic diseases such as
diabetes. Studies have indicated that the more educated individuals have higher chances of

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accessing preventive healthcare such as consumption of nutritious diet and living an active life
thus, preventing obesity (Australia Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2016).
Economic stability
Economic stability has been recognized as a major determinant of health's social determinants.
There is a positive association between Income and health. Additionally, the key elements of
economic stability, including low economic status, jobs, food safety, and proper housing, are
related to health status. Employment is attributable to the health of a person as the rate of
unemployment rises, disease and premature death rise as well (Clark, & Utz, 2014).
Built environment
It is usually recognized that exercise, among other advantages, helps control weight, fights
cardiovascular disease, increases mood, and expands life expectancy. The geography of a region
is sometimes not conducive to pedestrian traffic, and security issues deter outdoor activity. There
can simply be no available space for walking, cycling or jogging public spaces. The
neighbourhoods and built environment shapes live (Koh, Piotrowski, Kumanyika, & Fielding,
2011).
Social and community support
The degree of social support may differ amongst individuals and race; for instance, a study has
shown that diabetic Hispanic people have adopted self-management approach instead of medical
visits (Strom & Egede, 2012). In the same way higher, social support corresponds with enhanced
self-management results, it has been shown that the insight of adverse or low concentrations of
social support increases the danger of fewer self-management behaviours (Strom & Egede,
2012).