Can you see the difference in their upstream determinants of health? What are some of the upstream determinants that are having a negative impact on Mark’s health? Select one of them – what might be done to resolve this problem for him? Try to address one that has not yet been addressed by your classmates
Some of the upstream determinants of health affecting Mark’s health include his socio-economic status, insurance coverage, transport availability, affordability of healthy, nutritious and fresh foods, crime in the neighborhood and access to health care services. The inaccessibility of health care services and providers can be solved and improved. This can be done through the introduction of Telehealth services (Gehlert et. al, 2008). Mark does not own a car and has to use public means of transport to get the community health center and it takes some time for one to be attended. However, with the introduction of Telehealth, people like Mark can be reached by health care providers wherever they are and access health care services without having to travel. In addition, this can help in timely access of health care services without experiencing lengthy waits (Stewart et. al, 2014). In addition, the technology has the ability to minimize health care costs and therefore Mark can afford to meet the costs.
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Why is this important to nurses?
It is important that nurses understand the fact that health is a vast issue that goes beyond ensuring that individuals have access to quality health care (Whitehead & Popay, 2010). It is an economic and environmental problem. In addition, it is also a political and social problem. With this understanding, nurses can be able to approach the issue of health from a broad perspective and take appropriate actions in areas that are within their capability and advocate for change of policies in areas that are beyond their limits in order to ensure improved health status of populations (Williams et. al, 2008).
Name a population that you encounter in your clinical setting or work practice. Can you list a few upstream determinants of health for that unique population?
One of the populations that I encounter at my work practice is individuals of low socio-economic status. The most common upstream determinants of health unique for this population include availability of jobs in the neighborhood, public transport, insurance coverage for health, access to health care, crime and availability of fresh foods.
References
Gehlert, S., Sohmer, D., Sacks, T., Mininger, C., Mcclintock, M., & Olopade, O. (2008). Targeting Health Disparities: A Model Linking Upstream Determinants to Downstream Interventions. Health Affairs, 27 (2), 339-349. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.339
Stewart, R. W., Hardcastle, V. G., & Zelinsky, A. (2014). Health Disparities, Social Determinants of Health, and Health Insurance. World Medical & Health Policy, 6 (4), 483-492. doi:10.1002/wmh3.113
Whitehead, M., & Popay, J. (2010). Swimming upstream? Taking action on the social determinants of health inequalities. Social Science & Medicine, 71 (7), 1234-1236. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.07.004
Williams, D. R., Costa, M. V., Odunlami, A. O., & Mohammed, S. A. (2008). Moving Upstream. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 14 (Supplement). doi:10.1097/01.phh.0000338382.36695.42
