Wealth-health gradient and social policy PDF

Preview

Summary

The essay discusses economic, political, and social structures as determinants of health. Each of these concepts is addressed in the response....

Description

1

WEALTH/HEALTH GRADIENT AND SOCIAL POLICY Name Institution Affiliation

2

Introduction Earlier and recent research depicts a direct relation between the level of poverty and mortality rate. The poorer an individual or community is, the sicker they are and the younger they die (Porter, 1999). Indeed, Porter argues that an increase of income in a community results to a similar proportional decrease in morbidity and mortality rate. In this light, the essay discusses the health-wealth gradient referring to the relationship between health and income. In addition, the paper discusses the influence of social policies on determinants of health including economic, social, and political structures. Health Determinants Social determinants of health refer to the social aspects and physical state in which individuals are born, interact, work, and age. An example of social determinant includes the availability of resources and opportunities in meeting human needs and wants including healthy food, water, education, and jobs. Another crucial social determinant to individual health is societal culture including discrimination, level of violence exposure among others. Notably, economic determinants closely relate to the social determinants of health. For example, getting quality education often depends on economic status. Indeed, individuals with a poor background often experience difficulties in affording quality school and higher education. Moreover, individuals tend to stay in bad neighborhoods due to lack of funds to move to cleaner and more secure environments. Politics are crucial determinants of health in society. Kickbusch (2015), points out the effect of various power constellation on the distribution of wealth in the society hence

3

determining the distribution of health. Moreover, health policies are dependent on political actions thus political leaders determine health proceedings in a community. Conclusion In conclusion, individuals do not have direct control of their health; instead, it depends on the social, political, and economic structures. Indeed, according to health-wealth gradient, people from poor background and environment tend to have lower health status than those for the wealthy background. Moreover, politics are critical in determining the kind of health policies operating within society. In this light, communities should elect leaders with the ability to make effective health policies.

4

References Kickbusch, I. (2015). The political determinants of health--10 years on. BMJ, 350(jan08 2), h81-h81. doi:10.1136/bmj.h81 Porter, R. (1999). The greatest benefit to mankind: A medical history of humanity (The Norton History of Science) (3rd ed.). New York, NY: W. W. Norton....