WELSI 2200 Health Policy: Social Determinants of Health and Wellbeing

This report delves into the significant role of health policy in addressing social determinants of health, emphasizing its impact on various sectors like early child development, food, transport, education, and governance. It explores the relevance of social determinants in healthcare accessibility and equity, highlighting how factors like income, education, and environment influence health outcomes and can lead to health disparities. The report also examines the relevance of health policy in human and community services, emphasizing ethical considerations and the responsibilities of health and community service workers in promoting psychosocial well-being. It discusses the importance of building on patient strengths, respecting client rights, and maintaining professional boundaries to ensure effective and ethical service delivery. References from various academic sources support the arguments presented in this report.

Running Head: HEALTH POLICY
Health Policy
Student’s Name
Institution

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The role of policy in addressing social determinants of health
Health policy has been used in social groups in the communities thereby broadening the health
determinants and development of integrated solutions in health care delivery. There are diverse
areas that need addressing of social health determinants that include the early child development
and agricultural food policies (Centr, 2017). When the health policy is applied in early child
development areas of low-income, the role is to improve health in these areas thus reducing the
gap to well off neighborhoods. When the policy is practiced in the food sector, its role in
promoting health through support of healthy farm programs in the community and school
gardens. Application in transport sector helps in providing ways determining its availability and
access which would determine the degree of access to health services and food. In the education
sector, the policy provides ways of improving the skills in solving life problems and securing a
healthier future. In the political grounds such as governance and policies, the health policy
integrates with the civil laws and rule together with the social welfare and housing policies to
develop the medical care (Centr, 2017).
Relevancy of social determinants in health care accessibility and equity.
Since social determinants are the environments that people engage and live in such as work,
worship, and play, they affect the functioning, health, and qualities of life, they have significant
impacts on the health outcomes in a given population. If the resources are difficult to come by,
social determinants may develop unwanted circumstances for example discrimination and
disparities. A resulting outcome is a developed embodied inequality that lingers in the society.
These inequalities include the dynamics in social injustices that pave the way to poor health
outcomes and may affect the generations to come (Evelyne, 2012). A consideration of factors
like environment, income level, and patient’s education. Negative social determinants can affect

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the society in many ways. When a child is born to parents who did not complete high school,
they are more likely to have barriers to health. A decrease in income also increases the likelihood
of premature death cases and shifting health grounds that may favor the well-off individuals. The
allostatic load that provokes mental wear and tear due to consistent exposure to stressful social
and environmental conditions. Health inequities prove to be costly and are inhabitants to quality
health care due to added expenses to provide equity and reduced productivity (Evelyne, 2012).
The relevance to human and community services practice
The human and community service professions are characterized by the appreciation of all the
diversity of human beings by the offering of services relevant to the community environment.
The health policy has its role in the respect of dignity together with the welfare of all people.
Thereby, it promotes self-determination in the community services other than enhancing the
integrity, genuineness, and advocacy in the human and community service practice (Ellen).
These are the standards that are considered in the community service practices to be ethical and
professional. The health policy, therefore, prevents conflicts from arising. Though they are not
set as legal laws, they address issues that relate to the human and community service practice.
These ethics can, therefore, be confidently applied in such areas (Ellen).
The role of the Health and Community Service Worker in health approach psychosocial
well-being.
Elements of responsibility to the clients are one of the roles that health service workers play in
the community. The service workers need to build on the patient's strengths and recognize them.
The responsibility entails informing the client of the optional action of withdrawing if need be so
as to build confidence and good relationship with clients (Helen, 2016). The clients can,

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therefore, decide to agree before getting into any health service. The service worker should then
be able to protect the patient’s right to privacy. Service workers are entitled to determining the
possibility of patient endangerment to own health. If need be, professional acts are put to use in
supervision and consultation. Possibilities of sexual and romantic relationships of the service
workers with clients are not allowed so as to prevent any potential incidence of exploitation
(Helen, 2016).

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References
Centr, I. D. (2017). Revitalizing Health for All: Case Studies of the Struggle for Comprehensive
Primary Health Care. Campbelltown: University of Toronto Press.
Ellen, K. &. (n.d.). The Palgrave Handbook of Gender and Healthcare.
Evelyne, L. &. (2012). Healthy Cities: The Theory, Policy, and Practice of Value-Based Urban
Planning. Forbes: Springer.
Helen, K. &. (2016). Understanding Health. Bowral: Oxford University Press Australia & New
Zealand.