Hello, My Name Is Geisy Alvare Bormey I’m A Cuban Living In

Hello, my name is Geisy Alvare Bormey I’m a Cuban living in Miami. I...

My name is Geisy Alvare Bormey. I am originally from Cuba and currently reside in Miami. I graduated from nursing school in 2019 and earned my Registered Nurse license in 2020. I have worked as a stepdown Cardio-thoracic RN for two and a half years and am presently employed as an Observation nurse. My motivation to pursue the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program stems from the interest in providing comprehensive patient care and treatment, emphasizing the importance of understanding how health behaviors and social determinants influence health outcomes.

The link between health and behavior is complex, involving a myriad of actions individuals make daily, including diet, physical activity, substance use, and medical adherence. These behaviors significantly influence overall health and well-being. This essay delves into the relationship between health and behavior, particularly how they impact social determinants of health (SDOH), which include socioeconomic status, education, access to healthcare, and physical environment.

Health behaviors are a crucial aspect of the behavioral paradigm of health, emphasizing that individual actions and choices can promote or jeopardize health. Studies corroborate that positive health behaviors—such as maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise—are linked to better health outcomes, while detrimental behaviors like smoking and excessive alcohol use increase the risk of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This underscores the pivotal role personal choices play in health trajectories.

Moreover, health behaviors are deeply intertwined with social determinants, which shape the environment in which these behaviors occur. Individuals with higher income and education levels generally have better access to healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activity, facilitating healthier behaviors. Conversely, those in disadvantaged neighborhoods often face barriers, such as limited access to nutritious foods and safe recreational areas, which hinder healthy choices.

Cultural norms and social support systems also significantly influence health behaviors. Cultural beliefs may promote traditional diets rich in fruits and vegetables, supporting healthy eating, whereas norms that glamorize smoking and alcohol use can lead to increased prevalence of these behaviors. Peer influence and family dynamics further shape individual health-related decisions, highlighting the social context that influences behavior.

Understanding the intricate relationship between health and behavior is essential for addressing health disparities and fostering positive public health outcomes. Public health interventions must consider social determinants to effectively promote behavior changes. For example, improving access to affordable healthcare, creating health-promoting environments, and addressing structural barriers—such as socioeconomic inequalities—are vital steps in reducing health disparities.

Finally, integrating the knowledge of how health behaviors interact with social determinants enables healthcare professionals and policymakers to develop targeted strategies that encourage healthy choices. Such approaches not only improve individual health outcomes but also contribute to health equity, fostering a society where all individuals have the opportunity to achieve optimal health.

References

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  • World Health Organization. (2019). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
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  • American Nurses Association. (2021). Nurses' role in COVID-19 vaccination.
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