Health Promotion: Socio-Economic Influences and Barriers Analysis

This report delves into the multifaceted aspects of health promotion, examining the influence of socio-economic factors on health outcomes and the barriers individuals face in accessing healthcare services. It explores the impact of government strategies, such as legislative actions and healt...Read More

Health Promotion

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Relation of health benefits and theories of health behaviour.................................................9
3.2 Effects of potential conflicts..................................................................................................9
3.3 Importance of providing relevant health related information..............................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1, 4.2 .......................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Health and well-being is attained when there is balance in physical, mental and
emotional conditions of a person. It is important for every human being to develop a
lifestyle that leads to sound mind and sound body for reducing risks and threats from
diseases. In this report, the socio-economic influences and the contribution of
government sources in understanding health inequalities has been discussed.
Furthermore, the factors that are restricting access to health and social care services for
particular people will be depicted in this report. The basic roles of different professionals
in health care services and their contribution in meeting targets have also been
discussed in this assessment. Moreover, the importance of health related information
and promotional campaigns in developing more effective health status in the community
has been assessed and a promotional campaign is designed simultaneously.
TASK 1
1.1 Effects of socio-economic influences
Peter and Sarah belong to a poor economic background and have less access
towards the health care services that are present in the country. The society in which
they reside and sustain their life is not indifferent towards them because they are
refugees. People can prevent any sort of illness or disease when they are capable
enough to adopt a healthy lifestyle i.e. regular exercising, no over eating and intake of
healthy food items. Social background influences the choices a person makes in his
health related decisions. Peter is suffering from Type 2 Diabetes which is caused mainly
due to obesity and heavy alcoholism. On the other hand, his wife Sarah is suffering from
depression and is also indulged in smoking and drinking.
These factors depict that both of them are engaged in unhealthy lifestyle and
completely dependent on the social benefits provided by government. Economic
stability brings in the opportunities for accessing best in class services without getting
discriminated. But absence of a job or source of income has developed more
challenges for Peter and his family when relating with health and social care. According
to WHO, there are certain determinants of of health which are responsible for the
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current state of health in a person. Unemployment, poverty, lack of awareness,
improper physical environment, social status, etc. are some of these determinants.
There has been a deep impact of aforementioned factors on the health of Peter
and Sarah. Their economic conditions and social status are not so good and supportive
in improvising their ailments. The consequences of such negligence can be quite fatal
for both of them and their family also if proper care and measures are not taken on time.
1.2 Relevance of government resources on inequalities in health
Health inequalities have been existing in UK since a long time. The discrimination
or classification of people on the basis of religion, race, gender, social status, etc. has
caused a kind of invisible restriction for the individuals to access health and social care
services. An enlightenment in this subject was provided by the Black Report which was
produced in 1980s based on different researches conducted over the time period of 2-3
decades i.e. from 1950s to 1970s. It determined that society was divided into five
classes according to occupational status of individuals. From unskilled labourers to
experts, people were ranked in Class V to Class I respectively. The death rate was high
in Class V individuals as compared to those in Class I. This depicted that there were
inequalities in the health care strategies provided by the government.
On the other hand, Acheson Report was an advanced research regarding the
health inequalities. Published in 1998, this report helped in getting broader
understanding towards the health care status in UK and the inequalities which were
faced by people of different categories. It depicted that government policies were quite
unfair and illegitimate when considering the lower social classes. The pricing of medical
facilities and accessibility to poor groups was very unjust. The case of Peter and Sarah
can be considered as negligent from government side. Since, they were refugees, there
was no specific job opportunity provided to them. Moreover, the health care benefits
could have been provided to them and their family if inequalities and discrimination was
not present. The reports and researches aforementioned, were conducted by
government as independent inquiries. These have great relevance to the current state
of Peter and his family. Their social class and status have made them eligible to avail
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certain benefits but they are also deprived from accessing the major services which are
available to wealthy people.
1.3 Possible barriers occurring while accessing health care
Health care facilities have been provided by the government in every region and
locality for individuals so that people can get rid of their ailments and illness. But there
are certain barriers which are faced by individuals while accessing health care services.
Affordability or monetary support that is acquired by a person plays a vital role in
deciding the nature of service one requires. Peter and Sarah are completely dependent
economically on the social benefits and mercy of their mother. This depicts that they
cannot afford the costs which are implied in availing health care services. Hence,
money becomes a significant barrier in accessibility towards health care.
Physical and psychological barriers are the ones that occur when a person
generates certain kind of disability in consulting the doctors or medical practitioners. For
example: A person cannot move because of paralysis in his lower body and there is no
family member to support him or take him to the health care centre. In this situation, he
is facing a barrier in accessing the health care services. Similarly, Peter's culture
doesn't believe in family planning as an important attribute. This means is mental set-up
or psychology doesn't consider seeking medical attention and guidance as an important
factor. Hence, a barrier occurs in accessing health care facilities for Peter and his family
also.
Cultural and linguistic barriers are those differences which are created because
of different speaking languages or modes of communications. Refugees have been
living and portraying the culture and language of their native countries. Their inability to
communicate in the domestic language of recipient country becomes a barrier while
accessing or opting for health care. People might not be able to understand the
conditions and situations of Peter and Sarah because of the difference in their cultural
up-bringing and varying native language.
TASK 2
2.1 Links between government strategies and models
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Government of UK has launched various schemes and policies which favour the
benefits of socially deprived or backward social classes. Beattie's model helps in
undermining the current and past strategies that had been initiated for promoting health
in the community. The following diagram depicts Beattie's model and its four quadrants
The four quadrants depict that health can be promoted through governments,
individuals, professionals, legislations, personal counselling, etc. The axes on which
these are sections are quantified are modes of intervention and focus of intervention.
The top-down approach i.e. authoritative to negotiable modes of intervention are usually
adopted by governments and health care professionals while the target audience or
people amongst whom the health care strategy has to be intervened varies from
individual to collective groups.
Government uses legislative actions and policies which are based on health
persuasion techniques so that communities and individuals are protected from adverse
effects of unhealthiness timely. When people are aware about the symptoms, side-
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effects and various other components of a health condition then their ability to cure
themselves upto certain extent will increase. The personal counselling techniques at
both individual and community level focuses on promoting health and the knowledge
level amongst people. Sarah and Peter can use this technique for accessing health
care. Guidance regarding their lifestyle and living conditions shall help in improving the
current state of unhealthiness. Moreover, the Beattie Model can be useful in delivering
effective health care services to other sections of the society without any hindrance.
Government has also developed various campaigns like Change4Life and HIV
campaigns, marathons, Vaccination programs, Sure Start, Sun protection, etc. for
promoting health in different parts of the country.
2.2 Role of different professionals
There are two types of health promotions conducted throughout the country i.e.
national and regional. Different sectors and agencies who have high interests in uplifting
the health status of the country are working in promoting health activities. National,
regional and local level segregation is performed so that every area and community is
given the privilege and exposure regarding various health issues and concerns that are
rising globally. Professionals and volunteers are significant when considering health
promotion. They are responsible for planning and implementing the strategies which are
developed by government and other voluntary organisations.
Hospitals and medical centres have primary care practitioners who can be
doctors, nurses, helpers and the testing individuals. The diagnosis of a disease and
treatment provided to patient is entirely dependent on the efficiency of these individuals.
Hence, their role is significant in the health promotion. The organisation Public Health
England is also one of the professional organisations that runs various campaigns like
Sun protection, Child Development, Change for Life, etc. which aim for making people
aware about the ill-effects which specific diseases can have on some people. National
Initiative for Clinical Excellence is responsible for performing screening programmes
and provides guidance regarding the appropriate tests which can be taken up by the
individuals for in time detection of diseases.
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The public sector organisation which has undertaken the role of spreading
awareness and providing proper health and social care services is National Health
Services (NHS). There are local councils and Clinical Commissioning Groups that have
been assigned this role and responsibility for providing rehabilitation, emergency care,
community health services, mental health and learning abilities for the disabled. This
depicts that the professionals and groups which are involved in the health promotion
activities of country have a significant role for maintaining the equilibrium or balance in
various activities.
2.3 Role of routines in promoting healthy living
The activities which are performed daily in an orderly manner is considered
routine. It is important for every individual to develop a routine which is healthy and
beneficial so that major ailments and illnesses can be configured and avoided. Routines
play a vital role in developing an emotional balance. Individuals cannot express their
sorrows and emotional stress when they are unable to find time for themselves.
Routines help in resolving this problem and regulates the emotional control over mind
and body. Learning and social development are guided through routines and specific
planned health regimes.
Peter and Sarah did not have healthy habits. Their lifestyle was sedentary and
more inclined towards smoking and drinking rather than exercising or performing fitness
arts. If they were guided or informed about the benefits routines can bring in their lives,
the end result would be reduction in obesity and much more healthier living atmosphere.
When chaotic situations or confusing atmosphere is not present people are more
relaxed and comfortable. This brings in a positivity in the behaviour and attitudes of
respective person. Moreover, safety from different kinds of injuries and harm is also
assured when routines are promoted in the living conditions.
Good routines include healthy eating, no drinking and smoking, regular
exercising and clean living conditions. In case of Peter and Sarah, there can be
significant changes in their lifestyle if they adopt a healthy routine. It will not only
improve the living conditions but also support in reducing the risks of heart diseases and
other bacterial infections which occur due to bad hygiene.
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Amongst different types of routines, sleep hygiene can be considered as the
most essential. Sleep hygiene is self-maintenance aspect which helps in promoting
good quality sleep with regular practise. It is a behavioural attribute which needs to be
inculcated so that there is less amount of harm or threat to the health or fitness level of
an individual. Sleep hygiene plays a vital role when considering health routine. People
suffering from insomnia or sleeplessness must inculcate such attributes or habit which
help in stimulating proper sleep and a healthy well being. There are certain measures
which can be taken for enhancing sleep activity. These include regular exercises,
avoiding caffeine and nicotine, enhancing healthy diet and developing an environment
where proper exposure to light is possible.
Sleep hygiene helps in improving mood swings and removes lethargy. The inner
body balance is maintained and greater concentration is achieved. The role of proper
sleep hygiene is realised when medical conditions are considered. Various chronic and
severe diseases like heart disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes and cognitive impairment
can be prevented when sleep hygiene is followed. Just like cleanliness and food
hygiene the sleep hygiene is a process which helps the body to relax and sooth. The
energy which is to be utilised for daily processes is restored during sleep. Depression is
completely linked with sleep. A balanced sleep helps in reducing risk while excessive
sleep can simultaneously lead to imbalance in the body functioning.
Sleep hygiene can be instigated by setting up an environment that induces sound
sleep. The routine which has been developed helps in physically and psychologically
reducing the stress and anxiety. Overall impact of the sleep hygiene when included in
daily routine promotes health and fitness. The daytime nap which is taken by majority of
people across the world should not be more than 30 minutes. Fluid balance in the body
and breakdown of nutrients for the production of energy is stimulated with help of this
hygiene.
TASK 3
3.1 Relation of health benefits and theories of health behaviour
The perceptions of individuals towards a particular health condition differs
according to the severity of the situation. The attitudes and attributes depicted by a
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person while preventing diseases is considered as health behaviour. The habits in a
person can be of two types i.e. health impairing or protective. For example: smoking is
considered as impairing which is portrayed by both Peter and Sarah as active smokers
and drinkers. On the other hand, attending regular health check-ups is a protective
behaviour. There are some more actions which can be considered as health protective
behaviours, like sleeping sufficiently, eating healthy, preventing tobacco and alcohol,
regular check-ups, etc.
The theory or model which is used for understanding health behaviour is the
Stages of Change model. It helps in scaling or tracking the thoughts of an individual
which leads to specific behaviours. There are five basic stages in this model which
include pre-contemplation, contemplation, determination, action and maintenance. The
initialisation of a thought process is on the first stage i.e. pre-contemplation. It means
that the person is trying to identify the state of mind or health status which has led to the
occurrence of particular symptoms. After massive critical thinking and no proper action
taken the health value of the particular individual is more deteriorated. Relating Peter's
behaviour with the Stages of Change model it can be inferred that his condition was not
favouring the health status of family. He was involved in active drinking and smoking
with an additional threat point that is obesity. This implies that he reached the
contemplation stage but external factors like no source of income and worsening living
conditions led him to revert back to his sedentary lifestyle.
3.2 Effects of potential conflicts
Conflicts and clashes arise when there is a difference in opinions of tow or more
individuals or groups. Health is an issue which has been thoughtful for individual in the
society. The increasing consumption of alcohol and cigarettes depicts that despite of
rigorous health promotion there has been no effect on the people. Hence, arises a
conflict between social care groups and the production and manufacturing industries
that supply alcohol and smoking elements. Various international organisations and
voluntary activists have undertaken pledge to reduce the number of manufacturing units
of cigarettes and also curb the alcohol purchasing of every person to a minimum
quantity. But there is no such effective law passed by the government till date.
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Ethnic groups have been subjected to health inequalities since a long period of
time. About 80,000 individuals die each year due to smoking. Tobacco is the harmful
agent that causes the death actions in human body. It leads to cancer in different places
and brutal deaths. Public opinions have been facing towards abolition of tobacco and its
products in the country. The business organisations that are producing tobacco have
been under continuous scrutiny due to these activities and conflicts. The government is
the centralised authority whose intervention can bring in more effectiveness in the
working of the health promotion strategies. Apart from proper restrictions, the
implementation of increased tax duties on the production of harmful products like these
can bring in more justice for all social groups and ethnic minorities.
3.3 Importance of providing relevant health related information
People are quite fragile when it comes to tackling diseases and illness.
Whenever a person consults a doctor or medical practitioner, there is an internal fear
which restricts him/her in going for medication and other treatments. This fear is of
death or more severity in the current condition. Information regarding one's situation
brings in confidence and positivity that the ailment will be cured on time. Hence, it is
important to provide people about the necessary information regarding all sorts of
diseases and health conditions so that intermediary measures can be taken on time.
There are certain diseases which can be cured at individual level if timely
measures are taken. For instance, dengue, malaria, certain types of fever, stomach
infections, etc. can be controlled when people are aware about the control measures
and the precautions which need to be kept. This not only helps in building a healthier
outlook towards life but also reduces deaths caused by such diseases. Libraries, plays,
skits, campaigns, awareness drives and certain voluntary actions are the sources of
information for making people aware. Every hospital, clinic, social and voluntary
organisation should take in the responsibility of spreading awareness regarding the
health issues.
TASK 4
4.1, 4.2
Health promotion campaign
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Introduction
This health promotion campaign intends to increase the awareness of individuals
towards the health conditions and growing levels of obesity amongst children. People
think that children should eat more so that their internal health is not disturbed. But
there has to be certain control over the quantity of food to be consumed and healthy
eating habits have to be cultivated amongst children. This shall safeguard them from an
unhealthy future.
Target group and characteristics
Children are highly vulnerable to different kinds of diseases and health issues.
They can get addicted to anything be it health pathogens or the health improving
activities depending on the guidance they get and the path their parents have chosen.
Obesity levels have increased significantly amongst children because of sudden
reduction in outdoor activities. Current technological developments has made small kids
to be attracted towards laptops and video-games, rather than outdoor physical activities.
Needs of target groups
The target groups that is children have certain needs which will promote health
status. These needs include playgrounds, encouragement for getting indulged in sports,
increasing achievements in the sports sector and awareness regarding the ill-effects of
obesity. Schools need to recognise the factors which are making children more lethargic
and dependent on modern day gadgets for recreation and entertainment.
Specific objectives/Goals
The objective of this promotional campaign is to make children, their parents and
the respective school authorities aware about the ill-effects of obesity and the need for
children to engage in physical activities.
Strategy to be used
Posters and hoardings will be a part of this promotional campaign. Every
possible bill board and the respective localities will be informed regarding the event and
its venue. A regulatory check up will be conducted for identifying the number of
individuals who are obese and those who are healthy. A feedback survey shall also be
conducted for enhancing future campaigns and strategies.
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Resources required
Some voluntary activists who would help in organising the events and promoting
the campaign in various schools are required. Moreover, certain amount of funds are
also required for supporting the basic expenditures that shall occur during the
promotional event.
How campaign will be evaluated
It is important to have some sort of evaluation technique so that the loop holes or
the retarding factors which limited success rate of campaign can be identified. This
evaluation will be performed by providing a survey form to the individuals who have
participated in the campaign in some way. Be it audience or the people who were a part
of back-end staff, every one's opinions and suggestions shall be recorded for complete
evaluation.
Support provided to strategies by this health campaign
There are various government strategies that have been initiated for promoting
health at local, regional and national level. These are either in the form of legislations or
policies or certain campaigns and check-up drives. This campaign will help in spreading
information regarding the different campaigns which government runs for reducing
obesity. Health promotion strategies will be accelerated when there is proper support
provided by such small scale campaigns. The local audience will become aware about
the different steps taken by the national level strategies and this shall help in increasing
accessibility towards health services.
CONCLUSION
Through this report, it is clearly understood that fitness can be availed when
there is a balance in eating and living habits. It has been depicted that there are various
influences that exist socially and economically which affect the health of a person. Peter
and Sarah being refugees and economically backward are facing these social
determinants in living a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, specific models and health
strategies which are developed by government has been provided in this report. The
role of professionals and routine regimes is vital in everyday maintenance of health
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status. Peter and Sarah can improve their conditions and overcome the barriers in
accessing healthcare services if they adopt healthy routines.
The relation of health behaviour models and health benefits is also portrayed in
this report. It is inferred that promotion of health benefits and reduction in health
inequalities is important to develop a nation internally. When individuals are physically,
mentally and emotionally balanced their productivity at work is also increased.
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