Hello Feldkamp, I am privileged to have gone through your work. At a glance, I appreciate the fact that your work was appropriately done regarding content, format, and citations. Notably, I agree with you in many incidences. First, your indication that social determinants of health affect the health condition of an individual and this includes the housing conditions, transportation and their level of education is true. Similarly, I agree with your definition, which is also in line with that provided for by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, SDOH refers to a specific situation in which a person is born, raised, and works (Olshansky, 2017). It has also been indicated that the condition is significantly influenced by factors such as education, environment, food insecurity and one’s level of income. Indeed, a low level of income may imply that the affected families may not have the necessary capital to improve their health status and also to seek medical attention.
I agree with you that it is nearly impossible for an individual to run away from the impacts of SDOH. To solidify this, you have cited an example of Jim consuming pizza during his childhood, and also narrated about bullying. Indeed, eating habits are likely to expose Jim to difficult health conditions, which can only be avoided by a change in his lifestyle. Undeniably, bullied children may grow with lower self-esteem, and, thus, may be fearful for their entire lives. Hence, SDOH has adverse impacts on our daily lives. Stress is one of the critical factors affecting human health due to SDOH conditions like unemployment, which contributes to poor health (O'Campo et al., 2015). Unemployed individuals are at a higher risk of spending a considerable amount of their time trying to find other alternatives to cope with life.
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References
Olshansky, E. F. (2017). Social determinants of health: the role of nursing. AJN The American Journal of Nursing , 117 (12), 11.
O'Campo, P., Molnar, A., Ng, E., Renahy, E., Mitchell, C., Shankardass, K., & Muntaner, C. (2015). Social welfare matters: a realist review of when, how, and why unemployment insurance impacts poverty and health. Social Science & Medicine , 132 , 88-94.
Response to Burkholderrich
Hello Burkholderrich! I am glad to have gone through your work since you have covered all the required parts accordingly, which is commendable. You have indicated that even though SDOH affects every member of society, minorities are at a higher risk. Even though you have not elaborated about the meaning of "minorities," I am convinced that it stands for the less educated people with an unreliable source of income and also children whose lifestyle is mainly influenced by their seniors. Indeed, the status of one's socioeconomic condition is directly proportional to the health outcome of their children (Moore et al., 2015). As a result, children raised in poor backgrounds are likely to influence their health status negatively. Unfair health laws and regulations are indeed key in influencing the health status of people. Agreeably, the less fortunate members of the community are at an increased likelihood of experiencing poor health as a result of SDOH factors.
Indeed, research conducted in Ethiopia indicates that one lady suffered illness as a result of poor legislation and poverty (Douthit & Alemu, 2015). It is, therefore, necessary that any effort aimed at improving the health of the population should focus on issues such as poverty and unemployment. The issue of discrimination based on the socioeconomic position of an individual is also a key concern towards improving health status. I agree with you that such type of discrimination especially against the less fortunate should not be encouraged due to its adverse impacts. It is a core responsibility of people regardless of their socioeconomic status to be considerate about the welfare of those who are not fortunate. By doing so, the less fortunate would have access to better living conditions, and, thus, be in a position to overcome some of the SDOH factors mentioned in your work like poverty.
References
Douthit, N. T., & Alemu, H. K. (2016). Social determinants of health: poverty, national infrastructure, and investment. BMJ case reports , 2016 , bcr2016215670.
Moore, T. G., McDonald, M., Carlon, L., & O'Rourke, K. (2015). Early childhood development and the social determinants of health inequities. Health promotion international , 30 (suppl_2), ii102-ii115.
