Detailed Analysis of Health Determinants and Their Influences

This report provides a detailed overview of the determinants of health, encompassing biological, social, and environmental factors. It defines key terms such as health inequality and health equity and explores the influence of these determinants on different social groups within the United Kingdom. The report delves into specific examples, such as the impact of genetics, physical inactivity, and air pollution, and analyzes their effects. Furthermore, it discusses strategies to positively influence these determinants and addresses issues of health inequality and equity. The report also considers relevant health promotion theories, such as the Theory of Reasoned Action, and concludes by emphasizing the importance of analyzing and evaluating health determinants for improved individual and community health outcomes.

DETERMINANTS
OF HEALTH

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................1
Definition of Determinants of Health.....................................................................................1
Discussion upon Broad Types of Determinants.....................................................................1
Definition of Health Inequality and Health Equity................................................................2
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Description and Analysis of Determinants of Health.............................................................3
Influence of Determinants over Health..................................................................................4
Driving Positive Influence of Determinants...........................................................................5
Health Inequality and Equity Issues.......................................................................................5
Theory and Debate.................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Health is an effective area of study and practice that is associated with physical and
mental wellbeing of an individual (Garg, Boynton-Jarrett and Dworkin, 2016). It is an imperative
aspect that is very crucial for individuals to understand and work upon in order to identify
different elements and factors associated with an effective health of people. In addition to this, it
would also allow them to analyse a range of determinants of health which are the factors
surrounding the overall environment of a person and have a prominent impact on their health.
Therefore, in relation to this, the essay below is based on various determinants of health and
covers a detailed background of the same, along with an insight towards health inequalities and
equity. Furthermore, the report undertakes a detailed discussion over three specific determinants
of health along with their relevant facts and influence over different social groups. In addition to
this, The report would be covering element that could positively influence the these
determinants, as well as discussion of theories and debates associated with the same.
BACKGROUND
Definition of Determinants of Health
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Determinants of Health are a
combination of various factors which affect individuals’ health, as well as that of communities. It
takes into the consideration various circumstances, as well as the overall environment in which a
person lives in which help in determining if a person is healthy or not. In addition to this, if a
larger extent is taken into account, it considers various aspects like the state and standard of
living, income or education levels, social status and relationships and so forth (The determinants
of health, 2020).
Discussion upon Broad Types of Determinants
As per the discussion above, it is quite evident that the scope of the determinants of health
is quite high with respect to inclusion of several elements of within a person’s environment.
Hence, in regards to this, there are various types of determinants that are associated with health.
Some of these are quite appropriately elaborated below:
 Biological Determinants:
One of the most prominent determinants within a person is associated with their biological
elements. For instance, genetics come into play here. For example, if an individual has parents or
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a long history of a particular disease in within their family, then these are likely to be carried out
within the genes of a person that leads them towards adopting these diseases. Moreover, if an
individual belong to parents with healthy living and clean diet, this might determine a good and
prominent health of these individuals/ Moreover, one particular element which takes place in this
determinant is gender, which is a strong biological determinant. The reason for this is because
there are specific illnesses which might be experienced by several individuals in different age
and stages of life (Jackson and Gracia, 2014).
 Social Determinants:
Another type of determination of health is associated with social determinants. These are the
ones which are related with the social environment in which a person lives. For instance, the
social status of a person plays a big role towards determining their health condition. As a socially
well situated individual would be in access to appropriate health and social services, along with
having good diet and effective lifestyle that depicts good health. On the other hand, if a person
belongs to relatively lower social status, then this could be a strong determinant towards bad
health due to ineffective sanitation, limited access to healthcare, inappropriate diet and so forth.
 Environmental Determinants:
These determinants are the ones that are related towards environment of an individual in
which they live and operate;. As an example, this could include their access to communities
which promote good health, employment conditions, work environment and so forth. It is a
crucial factor as it helps in identification of vast environmental characteristics surrounding a
person which ultimately leads to either good and progressive health or bad health.
Definition of Health Inequality and Health Equity
Health inequality refers to the distinctions between the statuses of health, along with
distribution of various health determinants amongst various population groups. As an instance,
there might be a variety of differences between young and old groups, such as differences in
their mobility. This might even related to difference in the rate of mortality within different
social groups.
On the other hand, Health Equity means that each individual must have effective
opportunity in regards to attain their full health, as well as no one must be disadvantaged or
discriminated towards attaining that level of potential. For instance, if there are differences made
between different social or religious classes with respect to providing them necessary and
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imperative health services, then this would relate to inappropriate health equity within that
locality or community.
MAIN BODY
Description and Analysis of Determinants of Health
As mentioned above, there are various appropriate and effective determinants of health
which are imperative to be analysed.
Biological Determinants are quite imperative denotations towards the health of
individuals. Apart from gender and genetics, there are other elements to this determinant as well,
such as their coping abilities, as well as their personal behaviour. To understand it further
however, there are specific examples that are associated with this determinant; however,
Genetics are being used to describe the same appropriately. As a prominent example, according
to reports from The Guardian, gender studies have determined that females are 40% more likely
to develop several mental illnesses than men. Whereas, while females report depression, as well
as anxiety; men are inclined towards substance abuse (Women 40% more likely than men to
develop mental illness, study finds, 2020). Hence, this becomes a prominent determinant towards
health that there is a vast difference in the kind of illnesses or health status which men and
women face after a certain age.
As for social determinants, lifestyle of a person determines that whether they are likely to
be ill eventually or live a healthier life altogether. Hence, one prominent lifestyle based
determinant to be understood is associated with physical exercise. There are various statistics and
data to support this determinant. For example, according to the report by The Health Foundation,
due to physical inactivity, there are more than 140 million working days are lost to sickness
which have cause the UK economy an overwhelming amount of around £15 Billion (What makes
us healthy? An introduction to the social determinants of health, 2020). This determines that a
physically active person remains fitter and healthier to support their daily professional work and
contribute towards the economy in a better manner than the one who does not involve himself in
any physical activity.
In relation to Environmental, apart from the other physical environment elements which
determines health, there is another crucial determinant of health, which is pollution. Air pollution
within the UK has been a very strong determinant towards health of an individual. For example,
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the areas which are not exposed to chemicals like Nitrogen Oxide are quite healthier within the
country than the population that is exposed to the same.
Illustration 1: Conditions associated with exposure to NO2
(Source: Health matters: Air pollution, 2018)
According to the statistics above, there have been various contingencies to people in the
UK who are exposed to NO2, which is a strong determinant towards health within the country.
Influence of Determinants over Health
All these determinants have separate influence on health towards several population
groups within the United Kingdom (Adler and Stead, 2015). For instance, as clearly showcased,
Biological Determinants have factors of different magnitudes over males and females. For
example, mental health is dealt in a distinct manner by both males and females. However, males
are genetically built to be more strong physically, which provides them a positive influence from
the biological determinants towards handing their health in a better manner. However, females
despite of being intellectually better than men are somewhat prone to be suffering from mental
health issues.
In relation to social determinant, the lifestyle based determinant of physical exercise has
a very positive influence over health of a wide range of age groups. For example, it is known that
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regular physical activity tends to keep an individual fit even after they have reached their old
age. However, this influence varies in intensity as the age gets higher due to enhanced
uncertainties and health related risks (McGovern, Miller and Hughes-Cromwick, 2014).
For environmental determinant, air pollution has a negative impact on all the social
groups for sure, particularly the ones whose immunity system is not as strong as the others, such
as lung or heart patients, or people with chronic diseases are more prone towards suffering from
this determinant.
Driving Positive Influence of Determinants
However, to deal with these determinants and enhance their positive impacts upon the
social groups, there are various strategies that are in position. For instance, to deal with the
negative impacts of the biological determinants, For example, for all the genders, NHS UK has
drafted a Long Term Plan, which have certain strategies and methods through which the local
organisations and communities would be supporting individuals to deal with their mental stress.
Moreover, for social determinant, the Department of Health within the UK has several
appropriate guidelines issued for people in England and Ireland which has been authorised by
WHO itself towards supporting individuals towards physical fitness. As to minimise the negative
influence of the environmental determinants over social groups, the UK government has
developed Clean Air Strategy in 2019 which is directed towards provision of better tools and
alternatives and more strict actions and approaches towards industrial pollution law violations.
Health Inequality and Equity Issues
There are various health inequalities however, that are very much prevalent within the
UK environment (de Andrade, and et, al,, 2015). For example, in terms of gender, there are
several new reports which have highlighted that people belonging to LGBT community have
inappropriate access to health care within organisations like NHS. Moreover, towards lifestyle
based determinant, there are several inequalities that are being faced by obese individuals
towards their health. For instance, weaker socioeconomic condition leads to improper diet and
access to healthcare facilities, leading to weaker physical activity. In terms of environmental
determinant too, there are inequalities in accessible medical facilities to minor groups, which
leads to more negative influence and impact within the masses.
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Theory and Debate
Hence, for all these determinants, there is a particular health promotion theory which
could enhance the positive impacts of these elements within health status of the individuals. For
this purpose, Theory of Reasoned Action could be implemented for all the above mentioned
factors, which state that it is within the intention of individual to perform certain behaviour.
Therefore, this could be used for development of health programmes within the country. For
instance, for biological determinants, as mentioned above that males are prone to substance
abuse, which could lead to development of a health programme helping them to cope up with
stress in different manners. As for women, mental health programmes could be organised. In
relation to physical exercise, the planned behaviour could lead to development of community
services for people to stay physically fit. As for environmental determinant, the government
could form initiatives for reduction in air pollution that leads to better health of different social
groups effectively (Braveman and Gottlieb, 2014).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it could be concluded from the report above that there are various determinants of
health that must be analysed, along with evaluated to determine the impact of the same over
health of individuals. It is crucial that influence of these determinants must appropriately be
evaluated over a range of social groups to reflect their importance and appropriateness.
Furthermore, another crucial point that has been discussed within the report is that there are a
range of procedures and organisations such as WHO which could enhance the positive influence
of these determinants over health of individuals. In addition to this, certain theories pertaining
different issues are also imperative to be understood from the report to implement the same
effectively. In terms of recommendations associated with the three determinants, they must be
dealt through effective formation of policies and programmes which provides high health equity
to individuals towards maintaining a good health.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adler, N.E. and Stead, W.W., 2015. Patients in context—EHR capture of social and behavioral
determinants of health. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 70(6). pp.388-390.
Braveman, P. and Gottlieb, L., 2014. The social determinants of health: it's time to consider the
causes of the causes. Public health reports. 129(1_suppl2). pp.19-31.
de Andrade, L.O.M., and et, al,, 2015. Social determinants of health, universal health coverage,
and sustainable development: case studies from Latin American countries. The
Lancet. 385(9975). pp.1343-1351.
Garg, A., Boynton-Jarrett, R. and Dworkin, P.H., 2016. Avoiding the unintended consequences
of screening for social determinants of health. Jama. 316(8). pp.813-814.
Jackson, C.S. and Gracia, J.N., 2014. Addressing health and health-care disparities: the role of a
diverse workforce and the social determinants of health. Public Health
Reports. 129(1_suppl2). pp.57-61.
McGovern, L., Miller, G. and Hughes-Cromwick, P., 2014. The relative contribution of multiple
determinants to health. Health Affairs Health Policy Briefs. Published August, 21.
Online
The determinants of health. 2020. [Online] Available Through: <
https://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/>
What makes us healthy? An introduction to the social determinants of health. 2020. [Online]
Available Through: < https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/What-makes-us-
healthy-quick-guide.pdf>
Women 40% more likely than men to develop mental illness, study finds. 2020. [Online]
Available Through: < https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/22/women-men-
mental-illness-study>
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