Question

When evaluating the health of a community, discuss 2 of the many factors to consider.

Answer 1

A branch of public health, community health focuses on the individuals inhabiting a community and how they influence their health and the health of others. Community health improvement programs focus on protecting, improving and maintaining the health of the population groups, and the communities. According to WHO, community health includes the use/availability of economic, social and environmental resources for sustaining the physical and emotional wellbeing of people in ways that satisfy their needs and help them advance their aspirations, within the unique environment they inhabit. While evaluating the health of a community and its members, some of the important factors that need to be evaluated include:

1. Physical Factors

The physical factors that may affect community health are given below.

Industrial development- the more industrially developed communities are likely to be affected by many different diseases, due to the toxic substances that are released in water, soil, and air. These are the industrial wastes that are a cause of pollution and diseases and may cause contagious diseases as well.

Community size- communities that are more densely populated may also be attacked by more communicable diseases.

Geographical location- the location of a community may also make it prone to certain diseases. For instance, some communities may be located in the swampy areas and are affected by rains and floods. Stagnation of water may cause diseases in these communities in each season and disease including malaria and diarrhea may be more common in these places.

Environment- the cleaner the environment, the lesser the risk of diseases and their occurrence and transmission.

2. Social-Cultural Factors

The social and cultural factors that should be evaluated for evaluating the health of a given community are given below.

Traditions and Beliefs- some communities may be more orthodox than others and maybe following certain traditions, beliefs, and practices that may be a cause of ill health. One example of an unhealthy tradition is FGM or Female Genital Mutilation tradition and practice in certain parts of the world.

Economy- developed economies also have developed infrastructure (for instance drainage facilities) and are less prone to be affected by communicable diseases.

Education- well-educated societies are more aware of health and hygiene practices, and hence are prone to lesser diseases