Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) | Essay

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) | Essay Introduction The Social determinants of health (SDOH) are a group of factors that impact health and wellbeing of an individual. Child development is influenced by various aspects starting from birth, biology, genetic characteristics, gender, culture and family values. The Family provides adequate support systems by various means such as socioeconomic resources, ideal family environment and effective parenting skills. A community’s health and social development depends on healthy living and health services available to them (McMurray Clendon, 2011). The health burden of disease and causes of major health inequalities arises from the environment in which an individual is born, raised, grown and worked. Theses factors are referred to as SDOH. SDOH consist of a number of structural conditions. The model representing cascade of bubble demonstrates how SDOH are interrelated to each other. It is observed that if there are any political or environmental changes, all structural determinants are affected (Wilcox, 2007 as cited in McMurray Clendon, 2011). Primary health care (PHC) is aimed to create healthy communities. PHC approach is best described by multi-level health promotion model. Primary prevention is attained through upstream actions which are aimed to promote and maintain health. This is achieved through providing a healthy environment, health services and education for healthy living. Secondary prevention/midstream actions are providing treatment for illness and further prevention of disability. Tertiary or downstream actions are basically rehabilitation services or educating the community to cope with disability conditions (McMurray Clendon, 2011). This essay outlines the effect of housing on health of the community. Improving the housing condition is primary prevention through upstream actions. To improve health and reduce inequalities, a coordinated approach is required to address SDOH which has direct effects on structural determinants. House designs should be made by taking into account health and well being. The infrastructure planning for housing designs which should include insulation, ventilation, sewage system, public spaces as well as community’s participation in their health development project should be encouraged. The health of an individual, families and the community can be improved by well designed, insulated houses and community health services. (WHO, 2011; Chapman Bierre, 2008). The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also emphasised on approach to promote health by improving housing and living conditions. The visits to emergency and stay in hospital with serious acute medical illness is shorter with improved living conditions as opposed to those who lives in poor housing (Thomson, Thomas Petticrew, 2009; Sadowski, Kee, VanderWeele Buchanan, 2009). The research study has indicated that people migrated to better housing has improved health outcomes and are also exposed to less substance abuse, violence and less neighbourhood problems as compared to their original living conditions. Government generated social and health policies directly affect the quality of life and living conditions of the community, and also the economical status of the family significantly influence an individual’s health. A co-ordinated action is required from the Policy makers, health service providers and leaders from various sectors to utilise their knowledge to enhance better living conditions bringing the best population health outcomes (Williams, Costa, Odunlami Mohammad, 2012). The importance of living and working conditions, indoor environment, safe neighbourhood, healthy lifestyles in general and respiratory health in particular is a major concern these days. The predominant factors increasing the risk of asthma and respiratory problems are moisture damage in the house and bacterial growth. The studies have shown a close association between mould, dampness and asthma in children. Damp houses resulting in mould and microbial growth are the predisposing factor resulting in wheezing in adults and infants. In a survey carried in NZ homes reported 35 % of moulds clearly visible in the living area or bedrooms. NZ has been reportedly having higher asthma rates in the world, which is contributed by poor living conditions. Damp and cold houses support the bacterial growth, providing favourable media for mould, bacteria and dust mites. Young children spend more time at home as compared to adults, There is a significant effect of damp houses on respiratory system, t hus the incident rate of bronchitis and wheezing illness is more common in children. It is suggested, if people will be provided with better housing and insulation, respiratory symptoms will reduce by 33% (Keall, Crane, Baker, Wickens, Chapman Cunningham, 2012). It has always been stated that population of health is largely impacted by quality of housing where they live. If people living in substandard housing or poor living conditions could be provided with better housing, insulation and ventilation, It could potentially prevent ill health. There was a cluster randomised trial for housing, insulation and health study of insulating houses of communities with low socioeconomic status. A Community based approach is effective mean of improving health rather than an individual focused e.g. Insulating houses are more effective than providing people with more clothes. Older aged, infants and children spend more time in houses, thus they have to bear the physiological stress due to their weaker immune system. This research also reports an association of cold, damp houses likely to get bacterial and mould growth, eventually causing respiratory problems. Several international report highlight poor insulation, damp, cold and mouldy houses leading to p oor health. People with insulated houses and better living conditions were less likely to be admitted to acute wards with pulmonary and obstructive airway diseases. The results interpreted in studies of the insulated housing affecting health were significant with improved outcome measures, except for the use of medical facilities. This study was conducted in uninsulated old houses with cold and dampness, where at least one member has respiratory problems, Increased warmth and decreased humidity brought improved health conditions. Population living in well designed and insulated houses reported significantly less cold and dampness however People in insulated houses also reported that their houses felt significantly less damp and mouldy, however this study does not determine essential determinants involved. Although this study greatly emphasise the effect of living in cold and damp houses resulting in pulmonary conditions such as asthma, cough and wheezing (Chapman et al., 2007). A study conducted by Kearns, Smith and Abbott on Pacific population showed substandard living conditions as compared to Maori and European population. Pacific people are at a great risk of developing asthma, cold and flu (as cited in Butler, Williams, Tukuuitonga Peterson, 2003). Studies have reported a close relationship between cold, damp houses and respiratory diseases. Researchers also highlighted the association of poor housing with mental health and maternal health. Statistical analysis showed cold/damp houses a potential risk factor for asthma and postnatal depression. The pathophysiology of the respiratory symptoms is triggered by an allergic reaction to fungi or dust mites (Butler, Williams, Tukuuitonga Peterson, 2003). A major British cohort study has reported an evidence of poor living/housing conditions are growing over the life, of course, and can impose serious health effects on an individual and family. Thus, interventions to improve housing could measure better effects. Providing insulation for houses for the community with low economic conditions is a cost effective intervention to promote health and well being. It should be widely accepted by the community for their own health, policy makers and leaders to make strategy for healthy measures (Chapman et al., 2007). Conclusion The health of the community is greatly influenced by SDOH more than medical care. As above stated, quality of life is significantly affected by the society and the environment in which they live and work. The burden of disease and ill health can be reduced by improving the housing environment. Medical care and accessing physician is not affordable to all, however better housing conditions can effectively reduce the financial burden on the health sector. Hence, the individual and the community should be encouraged to participate in health programmes for the promotion of their health and wellness. Reference List Butler, S., Williams, M., Tukuionga, C., Paterson, J. (2003). Problems with damp housing among pacific families in New Zealand. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 116 (1177), 1-8. Retrieved from https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/4653/12861308.pdf?sequence=1 Chapman, P. H., Bierre, S. (2008). Reducing health inequalities by improving housing. In Dew, K., Matheson, A. (Eds.), Understanding health inequalities in Aotearoa New Zealand (pp. 161-173). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press. Chapman, P. H., Matheson, A., Crane, J., Viggers, H., Cunningham, M., Blakely, T.,Davie, G. (2007). Effect of insulating existing houses on health inequality: cluster randomised study in the community. BioMedical Journal. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39070.573032.80 Keall, M. D., Crane, J., Baker, M. G., Wicken, K., Chapman, P. H., Cunningham (2012). A measure for quantifying the impact of housing quality on respiratory health: a cross sectional study. Environmental Health, 11 (33), 1-8. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1476-069X-11-33.pdf McMurray, A., Clendon, J. (2011). Community health and wellness: Primary health care in practice (4th ed.). Sydney, Australia: Elsevier. Sadowski, L, S., Kee, R. A., VanderWeele, T. J., Buchanan, D. (2009). Effects of a housing and case management program on emergency department visits and hospitalizations among chronically ill homeless adults: A randomized trial. Journal of American Medical Association, 301 (17), 1771-1777. doi: 10011/jama.2009.561 Thomson, H., Thomas, S., Sellstrom, E., Petticrew, M. 92009). The health impacts of housing improvement: A systematic review of intervention studies from 1887 to 2007. American Journal of Public Health, 99(3), 681-691. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.143909. Willimas, D. R., Costa, M. V., Odunlami, A. O. Mohammed, S. A. (2008). Moving upstream: How interventions that address the social determinants of health can improve health and reduce disparities. Journal Public Health Manag Pract, 14, S8-17. doi: 10.1097/01.PHH.0000338382.36695.42 World Health Organization. (2011). Closing the gap: Policy into practice on social determinants of health: discussion paper. Retrieved from https://extranet.who.int/iris/restricted/bitstream/10665/44731/1/9789241502405_eng.pdf 1

Freedom in Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn :: Adventures Huckleberry Huck Finn Essays

Huckleberry Finn – Freedom Freedom is not a reward or a decoration that is celebrated with champagne...Oh no! It's a...long distance race, quite solitary and very exhausting." -Albert Camus. The dictionary defines freedom as the condition of being free from restraints. Freedom is not just a word one can say without meaning. It is a privilege, a privilege not everyone is granted. Freedom gives the liberty to choose what should is done and how. Freedom is the capacity to exercise choice and free will. In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the narrator, Huck, seeks freedom from society. Huck, a thirteen year-old boy, lives with Widow Douglass and her sister Miss Watson. He lives with them because before this he had no home, only a drunken father, whom he rarely sees. Both of the ladies attempt to civilize Huck by sending him to school and teaching him good manners. "Pretty soon I wanted to smoke, and asked the widow to let me. But she wouldn't. She said it was a mean practice and wasn't clean, and I must try to not do it any more" In this passage from chapter one you can see that Huck enjoyed doing what he pleased when he choose. "I liked the old ways best, but I was getting so I liked the new ones, too, a little bit." This passage is from chapter four of the book spoken by Huck. In it one can see that although Huck begins to like the civilized ways he still has a craving for his old ways, which seem u ncivilized to all. Freedom is not only having a choice but also having no restraints. The characters of the Duke and the Daphne, who were really two criminals running away, have an advantage of no restraints being given. In chapter 19 of the book, the two men introduce themselves to Huck and Jim. When they do this, they do not introduce themselves with their true identity. Because there were no restrictions, they could not only befriend Jim and Huck but also trick them. "He told them he was a pirate-been a pirate for thirty years out in the Indian Ocean-and his crew was thinned out considerable last spring in a fight, and he was home now to take out some fresh men, and thanks goodness he'd been robbed last night.

Public Fear of Terrorism

IntroductionTerrorism has become a global challenge, which must be fought by collaborative efforts.   Indeed the war against terrorism takes many forms and shapes.   For instance while traditionally the homeland security has been concerned with fighting terrorism from a military point of view; there is a need for it to be empowered to better deal with terrorism from different dimensions. A new challenge is emerging; that is, the way the media is handling the terrorism and especially how it reports and covers terrorism incidences.Media plays a very important role in shaping public opinion in many issues including terrorism.   Media coverage of terrorist activities shapes how terrorism events are constructed in the minds of the public.   Of late there are clear indications of general fear in the public to the extent that, whatever the media reports, is seen as a representation of the real situation on the ground.   There is alot of freedom in the media. With so many freelance journalists who are eager to make an extra dime at the expense of the general public.Indeed, there is little control over the journalists especially the freelance journalists.   The criminal justice has little control over the sifting of information to the general public.   The seemingly free-flow for news in the media means that, whoever comes out with the ‘best’ news is likely to receive the most attention.   The craving for news has seen the freelance journalists keen on making quick money violate journalism code of conduct and therefore failing to put into consideration professionalism but become only concerned about getting the most enticing news.Unlike in the past when the media would take the time to censor the news they released to the public, nowadays some television channels air some uncensored images.   This has greatly impacted negatively on the media authenticity.   Some media houses are less concerned about the moral implications of such images to the general public. Irresponsible coverage of terrorism activities affects the public by inflicting fear amongst the public especially the uncensored images and broadcasts zoomed by television channels and the internet.   The consistency with which such images are aired has also come to have a bearing on the increased fear levels amongst the general public.Indeed most media houses flout media rules and are only concerned with getting the mission accomplished.   The criminal justice has largely become incapable of reigning on the media.   This can be explained by lack of effective laws to deal with emerging challenges.   One area where law enforcers are facing challenges when it comes to reigning on offenders who violate the media laws is the fact that, some of the sources of the media images and reports which turn out to have negative effect on the general public originate outside the US and those local media houses which air them bear no responsibility as they act as thi rd parties and are in no way responsible for the contents of the reports (White, Jonathan, 2006).With globalization the world has become a small village whereby information is exchanged within a very short time. As a result, most of the information which reaches the American public, does not necessarily originate within America media.   The truth of the matter is that, Americans have a choice to tune into any media channel they feel free to. This is not in any way regulated by the state and as such, what the public consumes in terms of information cannot be filtered by state law enforcement agents (Nicholas, William, 2005).Taking the example of international media houses, which broadcast, to the whole world, they are in the first place not bound by the American laws nor can the American public be denied access to such.   As a result, whatever information they broadcast concerning terrorism ends up being consumed by the American public.   This is very hard to regulate.   The advancement of the Internet has brought with it very complex challenges especially in terms of authenticity.It is very hard to know which source to trust.   With the craving for news, the public tends to search for any site, whether incredible or not which purports to inform the public.   There are many bogus websites which go to the lengths of capturing live some terrible terrorism activities such as beheading of those captured by terrorists.   As a result, this has really formed a great avenue for fear amongst the general American public.   In addition, there are not many programs or efforts designed to pre-empty the propaganda which some websites linked to terrorists desire to perpetrate in the American public.The other major problem is the fact that, the laws governing the internet use are at best lax and are not effective to deal with those who decide to use the internet as a media of perpetrating fear amongst the general American public.   Efforts of the government t o curb the use of Internet as a propaganda tool led to the introduction of amendments to the privacy acts.   As a result, the government has come under fierce criticism for infringing on the rights of people to access information.   This shows how challenging the fight against the phenomenon has become.In addition the media has strong unions here in the US which means that, it is not easy for the criminal justice to intervene even in cases where it is evident that, the media is causing a great measure of suffering to the public through the broadcasting of information which is uncensored.   The homeland security has a duty to intervene in the dilemma but only to the extent whereby the source of such negligence lies within its jurisdiction.   Globalization and a culture of consumerism in the American society makes it impossible for the homeland security to impose any meaningful checks and balances to protect Americans from suffering from the fear that has gripped the general A merican public (Nakaya, Andea, 2005). Indeed, the public cannot be practically protected from the effects of bad media practices today.   It is up to the public to learn to choose what they can listen to or watch.Recommendation for solving the above problem include; the enactment of tough laws which would see only the most professional media houses get the licence to broadcast in the US.   In addition the homeland security should engage in awareness campaigns meant to make the public to understand that, not every media source has credible and correct coverage on terrorism and that some media sources are actually being used by terrorists for propaganda purposes and believing in them is giving credibility to the terrorists.   In conclusion, there is a need for the criminal justice to work with the information department to reign on the media houses which if unchecked are likely to continue inflicting fear on the public and therefore affect public support on the war against terro rism.ReferenceNakaya, Andea, C. Ed (2005).   Homeland Security.   Detroit:   Greenhaven Press pp. 191.Nicholas, William C. ed. (2005). Homeland Security Law and policy.   Springfield.   Pp. 377.White, Jonathan. (2006). Terrorism and Homeland Security.   Wadsworth (5th ed.).   California:   Thomson.

The End Of The American Revolutionary War - 1595 Words

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As immigration grew throughout the United States, gangs began to spread throughout the remaining regions of the United States with African-American gangs throughout the South, Hispanic/ Latino gangs from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Mexico as well other Central and South American countries spread to the West. Asian based gangs also began to emerge throughout the West and the remaining parts of the U.S. Throughout history there is one commonality for the emergence of gangs. Most gangs emerge and develop as each gang tries to establish their identity as well as their desire for money, prosperity and opportunity. They commonly believe they can acquireShow MoreRelatedThe End Of The American Revolutionary War1595 Words   |  7 Pages The end of the American Revolutionary War (1783), started enormous immigration from Europe. The new immigrants settled in the Northeast region of the United States and as a result, it began to experience street gangs. 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