Socioeconomic status plays an influential role in the healthcare of people. Socioeconomic status is defined by occupation, income, and education with each providing different resources and different relationships to health outcomes. Low socioeconomic status people will live in residential environments which are associated with crowding, poor housekeeping, and noise. Most are also uneducated and have low income paying jobs. People link these characteristics with poor healthcare as many assume and believe that these people cannot afford good nutrition and health care systems. There is, however, a relationship between income, the level of education and, occupation and healthcare. This essay will describe the relationship.
Education shapes the future of an individual such as earning potentials and also future employment. A study by Zimmerman, Woolf, and Haley states that people with least amount of education will possess sleep deprivation complaints and there is a high possibility that their income levels are low as people associate level of education with employment. Lack of sleep will result in a weak immune system which risks the individual from developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and being obese. Moreover, education offers knowledge that a person can use to gain health information or ways on promoting health (2015).
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Income provides means for obtaining health care, a person with higher incomes is more capable of feeding on better nutrition, recreation, schooling and provide a good state of shelter. Many people translate poverty into poor health. They believe that the wealthier you are, the healthier you are since you can afford better health care than the person living in poverty according to research by Chen (2013)
An employed person has better health services compared to the unemployed person. The threat of job insecurity is linked to high blood pressure which if it increases can be chronic. Occupations differ in salary/rewards, job characteristics, and prestige. Those in lower-status jobs are exposed to a higher risk of physical injury or even exposure to chemical substances. A person working in an industry as not as a manager but as a common worker is likely to work and live in worse physical environment conditions compared to the manager. Thus, they are exposed to toxic agents such as lead and carbon emissions which may cause their health status to become worse. Besides, lack of control in your place of work is seen as low-occupation status which may be associated with strain causes common health concerns like migraines and headaches.
Although there is no explanation as to why the relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare exists, inequality in education levels, income and occupation aggravate the gaps between the availability and affordability of health care (Van der Heide, Droomers, Spreeuwenberg, Rademakers, & Uiters, 2013).
Identify a slippery slope chain of events related to this relationship
Pregnancy and birth shapes the health outcome of an individual in his or her entire life. According to research by Zimmerman, Woolf, and Haley (2015), it is estimated that children born into poverty faces various early child health consequences such as infections and low birth weight. Those living in poverty have lower levels of education and likely to associate in health-demoting practices which affect the outcome of the child's health. Children who grow up in poverty are at higher risks of developing health complications compared those living in good environment and wealth.
Income, education, and occupation do not have a direct effect on health unless linked to other determinants like age or sex. It may seem obvious that if an individual cannot afford to buy nutritious food such as organic foods and fresh fruits they will buy cheap fast food which may make them obese and hence sick. There is the belief that a high-income person will afford better health care system which corresponds to better health. However, drinking and smoking are common in all socioeconomic status, whether one is educated or not, you will find them smoking or drinking. Though the relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare to some extent is true, educating all individuals about the ways lifestyle has an impact on our health is important.
References
Chen, E., & G. E. (2013). Socioeconomic status and health: mediating and moderating factors. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 723-749.
Van der Heide, I., Wang, J., Droomers, M., Spreeuwenberg, P., Rademakers, J., & Uiters, E. (2013). The relationship between health, education, and health literacy: results from the Dutch Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey. Journal of health communication, 18 (sup 1), 172-184.
Zimmerman, E. B., Woolf, S. H., & Haley, A. (2015). Understanding the relationship between education and health: a review of the evidence and an examination of community perspectives. Population Health: Behavioral and Social Science Insights. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, National Institutes of Health , 15-002.
