Health Promotion Report: Socioeconomic Factors, Policies, and Health

This report provides a comprehensive overview of health promotion strategies, focusing on the impact of socioeconomic factors on individual health. It explores the role of government authorities in minimizing health inequalities, examining barriers to healthcare access and analyzing government strategies for health promotion. The report delves into the contributions of professionals in meeting health promotion targets and promoting healthy living standards. It also investigates the relationship between health beliefs and health behavior, discussing health promotional planning campaigns and their effects on health promotion strategies. The report analyzes the influence of education, unemployment, lifestyle, discrimination, and access to healthcare on health outcomes. It also assesses the relevance of government sources, such as the Health Survey for England and the Marmot Report, in reporting health inequalities. Furthermore, the report discusses barriers to accessing healthcare, including socioeconomic, physical, cultural, and mental barriers. It explores the interconnection between government strategies and health promotional models, such as the Caplan and Holland model, the Tannahill and Downie model, and the Tones and Tilford model, emphasizing the role of professionals in achieving health promotion goals. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of routine activities in promoting healthy living.

INTRODUCTION
Health promotion strategy is defined as the planned intervention of social, economical,
political authorities to enhance the control and awareness about health care. Instead of focusing
on treatment of health issues it emphasises on analysing the major cause of the poor health
conditions. This analysis is very useful in establishing better governance for healthy life and for
promoting the health literacy (Ahn, 2015).
The report will describe the impact of social and economic factors on the health of
individuals. It will address the role of government authorities in minimizing health inequalities
and will describe the barriers and government strategies for health promotion. The report will
also discuss the contribution of professionals in meeting health promotion targets and healthy
living standards. The report will explore the relation between health beliefs and health behaviour.
It will explain the health promotional planning campaign and its impact on health promotion
strategies.
TASK 1
1.1 Socio-economic influences on health
The various social and economic influences have great impact on health of individuals.
This impact can be analysed by following socio-economic factors:
Education: The education level of the individuals greatly affects the health. The lack of
knowledge and awareness about health considerations leads to the conversion of simple illness
into the major health diseases. The unawareness about the seriousness of the health care can not
only increase the risk of death of individual but can also result in contagious diseases.
Unemployment: The unemployment prevents the individuals from accessing the available health
care facilities. There are groups who are aware about the healthy livings styles and health care
methods but since they are unemployed they are not financially capable to support the health
care measurements. It also makes individuals less concerned about the health conditions as they
tend to concentrate on finding financial stability (Edelman, Mandle and Kudzma, 2017).
Life style: The life style of the individuals is the major factor in affecting the health conditions.
Most of the young generation tends to avoid healthy and nutritional diet which leads to
malnutrition and serves as the cause of severe diseases. The stressful working environments and
engaged life schedule which is deprived of proper rest and diet gives rise to health illness.
1

Discrimination: There are people who are aware about the health concerns but they do not get
the proper health care facilities due to discrimination factors involved in society and culture.
Some patients are not provided proper health care because they are considered as underserved on
the basis of race, gender, age or caste factor.
Access to health care facilities: The poverty and unawareness among the people create the
limitations for them to access the available health facilities. There are certain sections of the
society which are deprived of these facilities and individuals do not have easy access to them.
This factor also influences the health.
1.2 Relevance of government sources on health inequalities
The government sources are the major tools for drawing attention towards the health
inequalities. Some major sources which have successfully reported the inequalities in health
sector are as follows:
Health survey for England (HSFE):
This survey analyses the changes reflected in health and lifestyles of the people by
various interaction and interview sessions (Eldredge et.al.,2016). It helps the UK government to
monitor the health concerns and to make required policies for improving health conditions. For
instance this survey was successful in creating awareness among senior citizens that they may be
vulnerable to kidney and blood pressure diseases and thus the statistics of this data has
encouraged a lot of citizens to periodically measure blood pressure and kidney performance.
Marmot Report 2010:
This report targeted the health inequalities by keeping it in alignment of government
health policies and social determinants related to the health. It highlighted the fact that people
under poverty and lower social and economic status have higher risks of disabilities and can die
earlier than compare to rich and wealthy sections of society. This report encourages the
government and local authorities to prepare new frame work which also focus on health
conditions of socially backward sections. This report promoted the policies which ensure that all
children are getting the best facilities, development opportunities and health care facilities. It
addresses to raise the economic standards by employment and low cost health care to minimize
the health inequalities.
Health committee:
2

This government authorised committee is responsible for reviewing the public health
considerations and the performance of health inequalities strategies. This committee conducts
and compares various surveys to figure out the possible causes, target groups and remedies for
health inequalities which requires proper attention and strategies. It analyses the status of health
care in national context and across different segments of society. Based on the reports of this
committee government frames the health care policies for improving the health of nation.
1.3 Barriers for accessing the health care
There are number of reasons which serves as the barrier to access the health care services. Social and economical barriers: Most of the people are aware regarding health illness
but they cannot afford the expenses. For instance in the given case study Ramon may not
have died if had home for living and sufficient financial assets to get health treatment.
The better social living standards could have provided him healthy life style. Ramon was
unemployed so he did not have income source and assets which could have allowed him
to follow healthy and stable lifestyle. This ignorance and discrimination in social
structure is also a key barrier which prevents the access to health care. Physical barriers: The health services are not affordable and in access to each and every
individual. Ramon had awareness about his illness but he was helpless due to his
financial status. There are certain cases when people want to access the health care but
due to the lack of proper facilities and expensive treatment cost they cannot afford health
care (Hartley, Hoch and Cramer, 2018).
 Cultural and mental barriers: Certain health issues are not considered seriously in the
cultural environment. For instance malnutrition is considered as a matter of ignorance
and least priority and people do not wish to pay attention to such issues. The health
condition of Ramon was not much serious for the people in surrounding and thus no one
bother to consider it. Such attitude resulted in the death of Ramon. If neighbourhood
shopkeepers were attentive and serious then they could have offer help to him and he
could have accessed the health care. The lack of awareness among local people and
authorities is also responsible for preventing Ramon from accessing health care. If he was
not having address to mention that authorities must have shown concern and must have
provided him proper treatment.
3

TASK 2
2.1 Interconnection between government strategies and health promotional models
For creating awareness about smoking cessation more effectively Summervilla charitable
organisation must execute its campaign by linking the health promotional models and the
strategies of government. This approach will make strong impact on the public regarding health
awareness.
Government strategies: The government have positive attitude towards promoting the side
effects of smoking. For creating awareness about its ill effects the government restricts the
smoking practices in public places. This strategy will greatly limit the smoking. Government
policies are framed in a way that they aware people about side effects of smoking on health. For
demoting the smoking the government has also raised taxes on tobacco and other ingredients. It
will raise economic burden and many people of average income will control its usage.
Health promotion models and their link with government policies: These models are developed
with the aim to improve the well being of individuals. They not only focus to minimize the
vulnerability of diseases but also promotes the healthy lifestyle living (Montanaro and Bryan,
2014).
Caplan and Holland model (1990):
This health promotional model is based on the principle of creating awareness among people
regarding negative impact of ill practices such as smoking. It promotes health through a quadrant
approach which includes, the Radical Humanist which supports the holistic view of health and
the Humanistic view which aims to improve the understanding and development of self as well
as A Radical structurlist which aims at addressing the inequalities in the society. These relates to
government strategies on building houses for homelessness and provision of free health services
to low income earners in the society through the Financial government strategies. Also with the
awareness of these model individuals can themselves evaluate the impact of their smoking
practices. For implementing this model government has strictly restricted the smoking habits for
youngsters. The warning images and messages on packets of cigarette, promotion of these
warnings on televisions and social media are the major strategies of government for promoting
health awareness.
4

Tannahill and Downie health promotional model (1996): This model looks into health
promotion from a spherical view of health education, disease prevention and health protection.
This model believes that each sphere is interlink with another and in promoting health each of
the sphere need to be considered. According to this model the unhealthy practices also
influences the behaviour of surrounding public. To protect the public from harmful effects of
smoking, government decision to ban smoking in public places is appreciable. Summervilla
organisation can also use this strategy by restricting smoking practices in its premises. It will
eliminate the impact of passive smoking strategies.
Tones and Tilfords model (1994):
This health promotional model emphasises on educating people about the impact the
smoking and other such practices will have on the behaviour of individuals. The government can
create campaigns to make public aware about the health impact they will have on continuation
with the smoking practices (Montano and Kasprzyk, 2015). These campaigns can also
encourages the public to help to quit such practices with support of government centres.
2.2 Role of professional in achieving goals of government for health promotion
The participation of health professionals such as dentists, health advisors and nutritional
specialists is vital in creating awareness about the ill effects of smoking on health. Their
contribution can help government to achieve the targets of health inequalities rapidly and
effectively. The Summervilla charitable organisation can coordinate with health advisors for
conducting health counselling programs. These programs will help people who want to quit
smoking but cannot abolish the practice due to post health impacts. A proper medical guidance
and encouragement will definitely motivate them to adopt the health care schemes and
guidelines. The health advisors will also advise people about the healthy life style strategies
which will promote their health practices.
The interaction and involvement of health advisors will help smokers to analyse the
severe effect the smoking causes on their physical health as well as on mental health. When
smokers are motivated and guided by these advisors they make positive move towards adaptation
of healthy practices. It contributes to the government policies and strategies which aims at
reducing health inequalities. In alliance with these professionals Summervilla charitable
5

organisation can conduct researches that which factors promote the people to involve in smoking
practices.
The government can use these results to make suitable efforts towards reasons which are
causing these heath inequalities. The involvement of health advisors in anti smoking campaign
of the organisation will gain the trust of more customers in the anti-smoking campaign of
Summervilla charitable organisation. These health advisors are considered as respected and
trustworthy personalities. So when they will personally promote such practices government will
be able to achieve its health inequalities target more effectively and earlier (Salazar, Crosby and
DiClemente, 2015). Health advisors can support the government target by creating awareness
about the causes of health inequalities and how people can minimize these inequalities by
adopting healthy life style. Health advisors must give health care plan to their patients for
guidance.
2.3 Role of routine in promotion of healthy living
The health status of the individuals is greatly dependent on the routine activities followed
by them. The following routine activities are crucial in the promotion of healthy living: Diet: The health structure of the individuals is completely dependent upon the nutritional
diet taken by the individuals. The people who are indulged in smoking avoid the intake of
healthy diet and it promotes the growth of sickness and serious health issues. When
people are involved in activities like smoking and start giving the least priority to diet and
timely routine of taking food then it weakens the immune system and create health
inequalities. Physical workout: The routine habit of involving in physical workouts, exercises and
intense activities are helpful in keeping the individuals active and more energetic. The
people who are involved in smoking are not much physically active and have weak
immune system. Thus people must make workout as necessary part of the routine
activities. Personal hygiene: The personal hygiene must be promoted and followed by every
individual. It not only make people healthy and less vulnerable to diseases but also
enhances the personality development. The lack of personal hygiene also reduces the
6

efficiency of the individuals and can invite the health inequalities due to infections and
poor immunity (Skinner, Tiro and Champion, 2015).
 General hygiene: General hygiene manners are crucial for preventing contagious health
illness. For instance the smoking habits in public places can have ill impact on the health
of non smokers as well. Thus people must avoid the direct contact with such unhealthy
side effects of health inequalities.
TASK 3
3.1 Relationship between health beliefs and theories of health behaviour
Health belief model: This model is developed to analyse the beliefs of individuals which
prohibits them to adopt health care strategies. This model analyses the following aspects of
health beliefs of individuals:
 It analyses the perception of individual on estimating the seriousness of disease and their
dedication in adopting the health care preventions.
 This model also evaluate the barriers and effectiveness of the measures adopted by
people for health care practices.
 Health belief models evaluate the decision making process of individuals on
implementing any recommendation for health care.
Transtheoritical model:
According to this health behavioural model intentional change and decision making by
self is the key factor in practising health care approaches. This model is also known as stages of
change. For instance in the first stages smokers may not be aware about ill practices of smoking
but gradually they get awareness and they decided to quit the habit (Yanek, and et.al. 2016). In
iterative stages they start diminishing the practice of smoking and finally they quit the smoking
after certain period. In the final stage of change they need to maintain the changes for sustaining
the effectiveness of previous stages.
Social cognitive theory:
This behavioural model utilizes the health belief that people can make decisions by
observing other health care practices. According to this theory when people will observe actions
of others they will greatly influence by that action. For instance when people with smoking
7

habits will observe the patients who are facing ill and severe effects of smoking they will
develop strong feeling and motivation to quit the smoking. Their regular interaction with health
professionals will encourage them to follow the healthy life style.
Theory of reasoned action:
This theory describes the health behaviour as the result of individual's expectations and
beliefs regarding health care practices. For instance when smokers believes that quitting smoking
will make them uncomfortable then they never make attempts to quit it. But when health
advisors guide them then they expect that quitting will make them more healthy life and this
expectation make it easy for them to adopt healthy practices.
3.2 Impact of conflicts in local industries on promotion of health
The health promotional activities can give rise to the conflicts between local authorities
and government. The health awareness strategies such as smoking banning on public places may
not be considered as appreciable step to the tourists. This may create negative impression in their
mind about the tourism sector of the nation. The regulations to print warnings on the cigarettes
can affects the business of these local dealers. They may oppose the policies that they are not
involved in any kind of illegal activities and pay a huge amount of tax to the government
authorities. Then such steps are not valid. They will lead against the benefits of the local
authorities.
The local authorities can also frame strategies against government. Such steps cannot be
considered as the beneficial approach for health inequalities. The target audience which is
already in favour of such local dealers will tend to oppose the government. If the health care
promotional activities are banned or undergoes huge losses due to higher taxes then it will lead to
the closure of such industries. Despite ill effects of their products such industries also provide
employment to significant number of people. With the financial losses to these industries the
unemployment may rise and it will again cause health inequalities due to lack of money. In such
cases it becomes important for government to consider their opinion as well. The tobacco
manufacturers have significant contribution in paying taxes and providing funds during
pronominal campaigns of government during elections. Thus, it becomes essential for the
government to establish a trade off between health promotion and local authorities. On the other
hand these issues can lead to here the issues continue, it can lead to loss of payment of taxation
8

to the government which will affect other sectors education, building of infrastructure etc, which
the government fund through taxes received from the Tobacco industries
The health promotional activities along with other functional activities of the nation are
dependent on fund raised due to taxes. The restriction of products such as cigarettes, tobacco will
greatly decrease the overall income of the nation. Without funds it will become difficult for the
country to manage its operations.
3.3 Significance of health related awareness among public
It is very essential for the government to create the awareness among public about health
care. When people are well aware and occupied with complete information regarding health
safety and benefits then they can evaluate their routine themselves. The self evaluation by people
makes them concern about the healthy practices (Ahn, 2015). With the detailed information it
becomes easy for the people to avoid the situations and the practices which can be harmful for
their health. For instance when people will be aware that smoking is not good for their health. It
can create the breathing related problems then they will try to drop out such practices.
The awareness about health practices is also useful for the people to abolish their
unhealthy practices. These approaches are useful for the people. An awareness is created so that
they tend to access the health care facilities on time before the conversion of illness into serious
health related threats. Public will never be aware about the emerging threats and their
preventions if responsible authorities will not guide them. Without appropriate information
people may also develop irrelevant and invalid health beliefs which is not considered as a good
sign for the society. It is the responsibility of the government to provide all necessary
information to the public about health care facilities. In the absence of this information people
will not be able to address the health related issues seriously. This awareness is also necessary so
that people who are not able to access the health care facility can access them with the
government support (Hartley, Hoch and Cramer, 2018). Without awareness they will not be able
to recognise the health care facilities provided by the government for handling the critical
situations of health crisis.
Task 4
9

10