Healthy Aging Is An Important Public Health Issue ✓ Solved

Discussionhealthy Aging Is An Important Public Health Issue Both Nat

Discussion: Healthy aging is an important public health issue, both nationally and internationally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes healthy aging as a process whereby all people of all ages are able to live a healthy, safe and socially inclusive lifestyle. Discuss how social determinants of health for the older adult are impacted for those living in poverty. Instructions: Post your discussion to the Moodle Discussion Forum. Word limit 500 words. Support your answers with the literature and provide citations and references in APA format. Reply to at least two other student posts with a reflection of their response.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Healthy aging is increasingly recognized as a critical public health concern, especially in the context of an aging global population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy aging involves maintaining functional ability that enables well-being in older age. However, social determinants of health (SDOH)—the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age—significantly influence older adults' health outcomes, particularly among those living in poverty. Poverty exacerbates vulnerabilities and restricts access to resources essential for healthy aging, reinforcing health disparities that threaten the well-being of older populations.

The social determinants of health encompass factors such as income, education, social support, access to healthcare, and neighborhood conditions. For older adults living in poverty, these factors often compound to create barriers to maintaining good health. Income inequality limits their ability to afford nutritious food, essential medications, and medical services, leading to poor health outcomes (Marmot, 2015). For instance, nutritional deficiencies become prevalent among impoverished seniors, increasing susceptibility to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions (Gum et al., 2016). Additionally, limited income restricts their capacity to engage in health-promoting activities such as physical exercise or social participation, which are vital components of healthy aging.

Education, another key social determinant, influences health literacy among older adults. Those with limited educational attainment often struggle to navigate complex healthcare systems and understand health-related information, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment (Baker et al., 2014). This problem is often more pronounced in impoverished populations, where educational disparities are widespread. Moreover, social support networks—such as family, friends, and community organizations—play a crucial role in promoting psychosocial well-being during aging. Poverty can lead to social isolation, which has been linked to increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, and mortality among older adults (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015).

Access to healthcare is a significant social determinant impacted profoundly by poverty. Many impoverished seniors face barriers such as lack of transportation, inadequate insurance coverage, and high out-of-pocket costs, which hinder their ability to seek preventive and curative healthcare (Kumar & Claussen, 2020). Consequently, health conditions that could be managed or prevented worsen over time, diminishing quality of life and increasing morbidity and mortality rates in this demographic (Chang & Sanz, 2019). Additionally, neighborhood characteristics, including safety, availability of services, and environmental quality, affect older adults’ physical activity levels and overall health. Poor living environments with high crime rates or pollution can limit outdoor activity, further contributing to functional decline (Wang et al., 2019).

Addressing the social determinants of health for marginalized older adults requires multi-sectoral policy interventions. Improving income security through social protection programs, enhancing health literacy, increasing access to affordable healthcare, and fostering age-friendly environments are vital strategies to promote healthy aging among impoverished seniors (WHO, 2015). Evidence suggests that community-based programs tailored to the needs of impoverished older adults can significantly improve health outcomes by providing social support, health education, and facilitating access to services (Liu et al., 2018). Therefore, tackling social inequalities is essential to ensuring that all older adults can age healthily and with dignity.

References

• Baker, D. W., Williams, M. V., Parker, R. M., Nurss, J. R., Williams, M. V., & Parker, R. M. (2014). Development of a brief test to measure functional health literacy. Patient Education and Counseling, 33(2), 107–117.
• Chang, E. S., & Sanz, I. (2019). Health disparities and inequalities among older adults. The Gerontologist, 59(1), 1–8.
• Gum, A., Borrell, L. N., & Caraballo, R. (2016). Nutritional disparities among elderly, low-income populations. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 28(2), 151–166.
• Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–247.
• Kumar, S., & Claussen, B. (2020). Barriers to healthcare access among low-income elderly. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(3), 342–356.
• Liu, Y., et al. (2018). Community interventions to promote healthy aging in vulnerable populations. Aging & Mental Health, 22(4), 456–468.
• Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. The Lancet, 386(10011), 2442–2444.
• Wang, S., et al. (2019). Environment and health: The impact of neighborhood factors on older adults’ health. Environmental Research, 175, 204–213.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). World report on aging and health. WHO Press.
• Gum, A., et al. (2016). Nutritional disparities among elderly, low-income populations. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 28(2), 151–166.