Exploring Socio-Economic Determinants of Health: First Nations Canada

This report examines the socio-economic determinants of health affecting First Nations people in Canada. It explores upstream, midstream, and downstream factors, including income, social support, education, employment, social environment, physical environment, personal health practices, genetics, health services, gender, and culture. The report discusses how these determinants interact to impact health outcomes within the Indigenous population, analyzes current initiatives by the Canadian government to address these issues, and provides recommendations for further improvements. It highlights disparities in income, education, and employment between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians and their effects on health. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing these determinants to improve the overall well-being and health of First Nations communities in Canada. Desklib provides access to similar reports and solved assignments for students.

Running Head: DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 1
Socio-Economic Position-
First Nations of Canada

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 2
Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Socio-Economic Condition....................................................................................................................3
Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Socio-Economic Determinants and its impact on health.........4
Key determinants of Health as per Upstream, midstream and downstream.......................................5
Currently being done in Canada to address the determinate of Socio-economic conditions................11
Recommendation.................................................................................................................................14
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................16
References...........................................................................................................................................17

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 3
Introduction
Canada is situated in Northern part of North America. It is a second largest country in
the world after Russia, it covers almost around an area of 9.98 million square kilometres.
Total population of Canada is 35,151,728 out of which 1,673,785 are aboriginal Canadians.
With fifteenth highest nominal per capita income, Canada gets a status of a developed nation
globally. It positions among the highest international measurements of life quality,
government transparency, economic freedom and education (Globaledge, 2018). Beside that
the country is facing many issues which are related to socio economic status determinates of
health such as income status, Government policies, education, culture and many more
(Blackstock, 2011). This report contains the Upstream, Midstream and Downstream socio
economic determinates and their negative impact on the indigenous population of country. In
continuation this report contains, the current initiative taken by the Canadian Government
and their Health Department to control the effects of socio-economic determinates and
afterwards the recommendations have been stated, which contains the innovative ideas to
address the issues related to socio-economic determinates of health.

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 4
(Source: Statistics Canada, 2011)
Socio-Economic Condition
A Socio-economic condition is an amalgamation of sociological and economic
measures of economic and social position in relation to others or personal work experience of
an individual. It is referred to an individual level of wealth, income, prestige and education.
Social economic position is been connected to the well-being of young children and adults.
The social economic conditions are typically divided into three levels high, low and middle,
to explain the three variables, an individual, family and society. And when an individual or
family or society once characterized into these three levels than the three variables can be
assessed as per economic conditions (Business discovery, 2018).
Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Socio-Economic Determinants and
its impact on health
Inequalities in Health refer to variance in statues of health. These variances can be
due to, individual choice or chance or biological factors, but public health evidence that many
of these variances contribute to the unsatisfactory distribution of the socio-economic features
that affects the health condition of individuals. And it also provides exposure to social
environments and conditions which are beyond the control of individuals (World Health
Organisation, 2018).

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 5
(Source: Government of Canada, 2018)
The macro level determinants are related to upstream determinants of health, it
includes government policies, international influences, and the fundamental determinants of
health which includes social, physical, economic, and environment. The midstream
determinant of socio economic condition includes behaviours related to health, psychosocial
factors and the part played by the health care system. The micro level or downstream
determinant includes variations in physiological system and biological functioning and these
factors provide stimulus value to functioning of the upstream and midstream levels
(Brownson, Seiler & Eyler, 2010).

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 6
Key determinants of Health as per Upstream, midstream and downstream
(Source: Health Poverty Action, 2018)
1. Social status and Income: Health status of people enhance with the rise in the
income status. High income determines that the living conditions of the individuals
are really good and they are living a safe and healthy life and they are efficient to buy
adequate amount of goods and food. The fittest population as per health conditions are
those which are wealthy and have an equal distribution of income. If the income of an
individual is low or he/she is living below poverty line that will definitely affect their
health. As their living conditions are not good they are lacking in money and this will
lead to bad health. Low income also affects people mentally and physically. In case
the low income individuals fall ill if he/she does not have much money to pay their
medical bills. And low income also affects the economy of country (Zitko, Jones,
Lynch & Araya, 2013).
There are 43% of indigenous Canadians were working for a monetary income in
compared to 61 %Total Canadian in 2006. Later Aboriginal people of core working
Social Status and Income
Personal Health Practice and coping Skills
Culture
Social Environments
Physical Health or Environment
Education and Literacy
Health services
Gender
Employment and working conditions
Social Support Network

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 7
age 25 to 54 increased to 65.8%. Despite this increase in the employment rate of
aboriginal people is still far less than general population. The low income of
indigenous Canadian will effect there health and this will increase the chances of
earlier death of indigenous Canadians and they suffer more illness than high income
holder indigenous Canadians and general population, regardless of place of residence,
sex, race, and age. At each increasing level of income indigenous Canadians suffers
less illness, get improved health and live longer life expectation (Hadley, 2014).
(Source: Transfer Wise, 2017)
2. Social Support Network: The support which is given by the friends, families and
communities will help in providing better health condition. This type of social support
network could be very helpful in problem solving of people and also help in transact
with hardships, as well helps in retaining a sense of mastery and control over life
conditions (Rosenquist, Fowler & Christakis, 2011). As per National Population
Healthy survey report, out of five there are four indigenous Canadians need someone
on whom they can rely on in the crisis, to advice, and someone who makes them feel
cared and loved (Bryant, Raphael, Schrecker, & Labonte, 2016).
3. Education and Literacy: Socio economic condition is closely related to education. A
lifelong learning to adults and an effective education to children will contribute to the

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 8
prosperity and health for country and individuals. Education equips the individuals
with skills and knowledge, and also help in providing a sense of control over life
situations. Education increases security through generating income and by providing
satisfaction and opportunities in jobs. It also expands ability in people to understand
and access statistics to keep the inhabitant healthy (Sorensen, et al. 2012). Aboriginal
Canadians are having low literacy skills and among them many are unemployed and
poor in comparison of non- indigenous Canadians this lead to the earlier death and
poor health because they don’t have much money to pay their medical bills and
individuals with higher qualification level have improved access to strong physical
situation and they are capable to avail better education and health facilities for their
children.
(Source: Statistics Canada, 2011)
4. Working Conditions and Employment: Underemployment, unemployment, or
insecure works are closely related to deprived health. The people who work in stress
free working environment suffer less with health issues in comparison to those who
work in a stressful work environment or who are jobless. Employment has important
consequences on a physical, mental, and social health of people. Pay receives from
work, not only provide cash but it also provides a great sense of purpose and identity,
chances for individual growth and social contacts. When the individual misses these

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 9
aids it will disturb them and their family member’s health. Conditions at work can
have a reflective effect on individual emotional well-being and health (Reutter &
Kushner, 2015). The condition of indigenous Canadians balanced in comparison of
other residents of Canada in present but can be worse in future because the young
indigenous Canadians are not interested in taking higher education. Due to that they
will not get good jobs and high position in the organisation. The non-indigenous
Canadians will overtake the jobs and only low profile jobs will left for the young
indigenous Canadians. This condition will increase the level of stress and due to that
their health conditions will get affected and because they are not having good job they
will get less salary they won’t be able to pay hospital bills and this will make them
sicker.
(Source: Statistics Canada, 2011)
5. Social Environments: The significance of communal support is spread over the
community. A strong social connection inside the country, community or region
provides strength. The norms and value of society influence the well-being and health
of the individuals and population. On other hand safety, good working relationship,
social stability, and organised groups deliver a compassionate society that decreases

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 10
or avoids numerous possible threats to good health. A fit life style can be gain
through a extensive explanation of public actions with three inter-related proportions
these are individual, individuals within their social environment which include family,
community and workplace, and the relation between individual and their social
environment (Pouliou, & Elliott, 2017).
6. Physical Health or Environment: The determinants of socio economic conditions
which are related to health are considered to be very harmful for environment in
which people lives. Polluting the natural resources like air, soil, water or food can
cause a variety of contrary health effects which give invitation to the disease like birth
defects, gastrointestinal ailments respiratory illness and cancer. Among indigenous
Canadians the commonness of childhood asthma, a respirational sickness that is
extremely sensitive to airborne impurities has augmented sharply over the last two
decades, particularly among age group of 0 to 5 (Willox, et. al. 2015).
7. Coping Skills and Personal Health Practice: Personal Health practice and handling
skills are those activities by which individuals can prevent them from stimulate solve
problems, disease and self-care, cope with challenges, develop self-sufficiency and
make choices that enhance health. In Canada depression is projected to be blameable
for at least one-quarter of all deaths for grownups between the ages of 26 to 59. The
depression increase chances of suicide if it is not well treated. The indigenous women
suffer more desperation in comparison to other Canadian men and women. If the
depression is not treated that will affect their health and because of that they may
attempt suicide. (Sibley & Weiner, 2016).

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 11
(Source: Statistics Canada, 2012)
8. Genetic and Biology Endowment: The simple organic and biology makeup of the
human body are an important cause of issues related to health. Hereditary legacy
provides an inborn inclination to an extensive variety of discrete responses that affect
status of health. Even though environmental factors and socio-economic status are
significant determining factor for complete health, in some situations hereditary
legacy appears to predispose certain individuals to health problems or specific
diseases (Krewski, et. al. 2014).
9. Health services: In this determinant the services of health mainly includes those
planned factors which are helpful in continuing and promoting health service and to
restore wellbeing and prevent diseases and functions contribution to health of
population. The services of health, range of care includes secondary prevention and
treatment. The additional report on Canadians Health evidence that injury and disease
prevention actions in area such as immunization and the use of mammography are
viewing optimistic results. These actions must remain if development is to be
maintained (Krewski, et. al. 2014).

DETERMINANTES OF SOCIO ECONOMIC 12
(Source: Willox, et. al. 2015)
10. Gender: It refers to the group of behaviours, attitudes, personality traits, relative
power, society-determined roles, values, and affect the society attributes to the two
genders on a differential basis. As per report on health indigenous Canadian Men in
comparison of women likely to die premature due to disease like cancer, hearth or by
suicide. On the other hand women who are living a longer life are stuffing from
depression, stress overload and they spend their entire life on anti-depression pills
(Willox, et. al. 2015).
(Source: National Household Survey, 2011)