Question

Course: Public Health

The vast majority of determinants of health exist outside the realm of medical care or public health. Identify an initiative designed to positively impact determinants of health. How was it mounted? By whom? Has it been successful? Why or why not? By what measure? Cite evidence of what is taking place to address the issues.

Answer 1

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Health is multifactorial. The factors that affect health lie both within the individual and externally in the society whcih he or she lives. There are two sets of factors that depends on what man is and to what diseases he may fall.

The two factors are: Genetic factors, Environmental factors.

These factors interact and there interactions may be health-promoting or Health-deleterious. Health of individuals and whole communities may be considered to be result of many interactions. Some of the more determinants or variables are shown below.

This figure shows the determinants of health

1. .Biological determinants- The physical and mental traits of human beings are determined by the nature of his genes at the moment of conception. A number of diseases are genetic in origin,e.g; chromosomal anomalies,errors of metabolism,mental retardation etc. But nowadays medical genetics offers hope for prevention and treatment of a wide variety of disease.The 'positive health' advocated by WHO implies a person should be able to express as completely as possible the potentialities of his genetic heritage. This is possible only when the person is allowed to live in healthy relationship with his environment.
2. Behavioural and socio-cultural conditions- This refers to the 'Life style' of individuals. That means the way people live,reflecting a range of social values,attitudes and activities. This also contains the cultural and behavioural patterns and life long personal habits(eg; smoking,alcoholism). There are many lifestyles that can promote good health(eg; adequate nutrition, enough sleep, physical activities).
3. Environment- It was HIPPOCRATES who first related disease to environment. It is classified as: internal and external. Internal environment comprises of every tissue,organ and organ system functioning harmoniously. External environment comprises of those things which man is exposed.Environment has a direct impact on the physical,mental and social well being of an individual.
4. Socio-economic conditions - It comprises of ; Economic status,Education,Occupation,Political systems,Housing etc. Majority of the world's health status is determined primarily by their level of socio-economic developments.
5. Health services- It covers the wide spectrum of personal and community services for treatments of disease, prevention of illness and promotion of health. The purpose of health service is to improve the health status of population.For example; immunization of children,care of pregnant women etc.
6. Ageing of population- It is the increased prevalance of chronic disease and disabilities.
7. Gender- In 1993 ,The Global Commission on Women's Health was established, covering women's nutrition,reproductive health, the health consequences of violence,ageing etc.This improved the life style of women.

WHO(World Health Organization) put forth the determinants of Health. It was successful in many ways and they are implementing much more for a healthy society. Some of the measures are;

• Improve access to water,sanitation,food and shelter.
• Measures to promote health.
• Develop ,implement and monitor National health for all policies.
• Improve access to comprehensive,essential health care.
• Implement global and national health information and surveillance systems.
• Support research for health.