Cause And Effect Of The Social Determinants Of Health And Well-Being
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of sickness and infirmity. Numerous definitions have also been used over time for different purposes. For instance, the dictionary defines health as the condition of being fit, happy, and in good body and mind. However, when you look at what it actually means to each individual, most people would agree that health is much more than this.
What is health to you may not be good health to someone else. This is because well-being varies from person to person and it also varies between environments and times. This is because a healthy lifestyle can be different in the same environment and persons from very different cultures. Therefore, there are many definitions and discussions on what makes up good health, but definitions and discussions are useless without understanding and addressing some basic issues that lead to good health and disease prevention and control.
The first issue that must be addressed is the definition of “disease”. A disease is any condition or illness that affects the body, mind, and spirit. It can be anything from a physical or mental disease to a noninfectious noninflammatory disease. A simple definition is the presence of a physical or mental abnormality that causes harm or threatens health. However, this definition is extremely vague and includes a number of conditions, including: acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), gastrointestinal disorders, serious menstrual problems, menopause, skin diseases, depression, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and even stress and anxiety!
A second issue that contributes to a healthy society is medical care. The importance of good medical care should not be underestimated. The lack of health care can lead to major societal problems such as unemployment and poverty. The United States is one of the very best countries in the world for health care, in many regards. However, the uninsured rate is significantly higher in the United States than in any other country in the world. This uninsured problem needs to be addressed to ensure the overall well-being of the nation.
A third issue that is related to the absence of good health and disease prevention and control is mental health and its impact on the overall well-being of the nation. People who are mentally healthy and free of mental illnesses or diseases are less likely to become victims of crime, kill themselves or others, become disabled or deceased. People who suffer from mental illnesses are at higher risk for murder and suicide. These three issues are all interrelated and if one or more exist in a person, it is very important to address the issue as well to improve the nation’s health and well-being.
The above discussion provides an incomplete view of the relationship between the social determinants of health and well-being. Health and disease prevention and control are influenced by other factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, social class, education, employment, income, health insurance, geographic location, transportation, household income, age, sex, substance abuse, depression, family history, and culture. These social determinants of health and well-being can vary by geographical location, but there is one factor that consistently influences health and wellness-lack of physical activity. By incorporating a program that encourages more physical activity into a person’s lifestyle, an individual can improve their health and their well-being.