Social Health
Like Social Security, Social Health affects everyone in some way. According to Michael Jones, PhD, RN, MSN, MBA, “social health is expressed when each individual is able to put into practice the information he or she has been provided by their healthcare provider.” This idea is burdened when 9 out of 10 of us struggle with understanding our health information, (The Mississippi RN – Summer 2018).
Within this context, the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control) definition of social determinates of health is, “economic and social conditions that influence the health of people and communities. ” It further states that “these resources are shaped by the amount of money, power, and resources that people have, all of which are influenced by policy choices.”
Healthy People
“The context in which people live their lives, the resources available to them, and in particular their social and economic circumstances, are the primary determinates of population health outcomes.” This idea is presented by Professor Alan Davidson in his book entitled, Social Determinates of Health – A Comparative Approach. (2014)
So, how do we as a community get the best outcomes for our health resources? Well, the WHO (World Health Organization) has developed a list of considerations – Social Gradients, Stress, Early Life, Social Exclusion, Work Life, Unemployment, Social Support Addition, Food, Transport. Examining these 10 components will give you an in-depth picture of your – or anyone’s – standing within the social health spectrum.
- the further down you are on the social gradient, the more disease prevalence
- stress can lead to distress which can lead to physical health issues
- it is vital that you receive quality health care in the first two years of your life
- discrimination impacts your physical health
- accumulated workplace stress can increase your disease development potential
- uncertain job security influences your physical health
- strong social support often equals positive health outcomes
- addictions as a coping mechanism have negative effects
- healthy food is essential for good health
- inadequate access to transportation equals poor health outcomes
Social Access?
According to AAA (American Automobile Association), this July 4th weekend, in the United States 46.9 million Americans will travel over 50 miles from their home to celebrate the holiday. They will use either a car, boat, ship or bus. The National Retail Federation states that 106 million Americans will attend a community celebration. A CBS News Poll (7-2018) determines that 53% of Americans believe that the “American Dream” is still attainable.
Consider the question, “Does everyone in my social community have equal access to resources?” You may well come up with a variety of answers. According to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, “resource is the ability to meet and handle situations. ” Obviously, the WHO considers Social Health from a “total person” point of view. Living in a community that values education, social policy concerned with individual diversity, public transportation needs, early childhood health and stable employment is an environment that has considered the CDC, WHO, Dr. Michael Jones and Professor Alan Davidson issues.
You may want to consider the Social Health of your community.
