Questionswatch Online Video Clips From The Documentary Unnat

Questionswatch Online Video Clips From The Documentary Unnatural Caus

Questionswatch Online Video Clips From The Documentary Unnatural Caus

QUESTIONS Watch online video clips from the documentary “ Unnatural Causes: Is Inequity Making Us Sick? Go to , use the dropdown next to “Select Filter†in the center of the page in order to watch the clips associated with Episode #4. Episode 4: Eleven Clips Based on the video clips you watched this week and last week , thoroughly answer each part of the following questions. Number your responses to correspond with each question – e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1.

What is the significance of the series title/name Unnatural Causes ? Explain. 2. What are social determinants of health? Provide 3 examples and explain (150 words minimum each).

3. What is the difference between individual health and population health? Expand on your response. 4. How do inequality and social injustice produce health consequences?

Provide 3 examples. (150 words minimum each) 5. Clearly explain why health outcome is so much more than a combination of health care, individual behaviors, and/or genetics? Explain individual and genetics. (150 words minimum each) *Utilizing and citing at least two new academic sources, investigate and expand upon all five questions. Your class textbook WILL NOT count as a source; Use APA style. You must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads.

Paper For Above instruction

The documentary series Unnatural Causes: Is Inequity Making Us Sick? critically explores the pervasive influence of social and economic inequalities on health outcomes across populations. The series title, Unnatural Causes, signifies the idea that many health disparities are not merely natural or unavoidable but are the result of social injustices and systemic inequities. It challenges the notion that genetics and individual choices alone determine health, emphasizing that broader societal factors create health inequalities that are "unnatural," or preventable and unjust. The series advocates for viewing health disparities as the consequence of social policies and structural inequalities, urging a shift toward addressing root causes rather than solely focusing on individual behaviors (Williams & Jackson, 2005).

Social determinants of health (SDOH) refer to the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These include the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources. Examples of social determinants include socioeconomic status, education, and neighborhood environment. Socioeconomic status impacts access to resources, health care, nutrition, and safe housing, significantly affecting health status. Education influences health literacy, employment opportunities, and health behaviors, which in turn affect health outcomes. Neighborhood environment plays a crucial role in exposure to pollutants, availability of healthy foods, and opportunities for physical activity (WHO, 2020). Each of these factors contributes intensively to disparities in health, influencing the risk of disease and access to care, often perpetuating cycles of inequality.

Individual health pertains to the health status of a person based on personal health behaviors, genetics, lifestyle choices, and access to personal healthcare services. In contrast, population health refers to the health outcomes of a group of individuals and the distribution of health within that group. While individual health focuses on personal factors such as diet, exercise, and genetic predispositions, population health emphasizes broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes at a community or societal level. Strategies to improve population health often involve social policy changes, community health initiatives, and addressing social determinants, which have a more substantial impact on health disparities than individual behaviors alone (Kindig & Stoddart, 2003).

Inequality and social injustice significantly contribute to adverse health outcomes by creating environments where marginalized populations have limited access to resources necessary for good health. For example, racial and economic disparities often result in unequal access to quality healthcare, leading to higher rates of preventable diseases among impoverished groups (Williams & Jackson, 2005). Environmental injustice, such as residing near industrial pollution sources, exposes communities—especially low-income and minority groups—to pollutants that cause respiratory diseases like asthma. Occupational disparities also generate health consequences; individuals in low-wage, hazardous jobs face increased injury risks and limited healthcare options (Braveman et al., 2011). These injustices perpetuate cycles of poor health, emphasizing systemic inequities that must be addressed to promote equity.

Health outcomes are influenced by much more than healthcare, individual behaviors, and genetics individually or collectively. While genetics determine biological predispositions to certain diseases, social environment and behaviors interact complexly to shape overall health. For instance, a person’s genetic makeup might predispose them to hypertension, but lifestyle factors such as diet and stress levels significantly influence whether the condition develops or remains controlled (Williams & Jackson, 2005). Furthermore, access to healthcare is often dictated by socioeconomic status and social policies, which can limit or enhance health outcomes regardless of individual effort or genetic predisposition. Recognizing health as a product of societal structure underscores the importance of addressing social determinants to improve overall health equity.

References

• Braveman, P., Egerter, S., & Williams, D. R. (2011). The social determinants of health: coming of age. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(S5), S3–S6.
• Kinding, D. B., & Stoddart, G. L. (2003). What is population health? American Journal of Public Health, 93(3), 380–383.
• Williams, D. R., & Jackson, P. B. (2005). Social sources of racial disparities in health. Health Affairs, 24(2), 325–334.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
• Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2009). Discrimination and racial disparities in health. JAMA, 295(16), 2039–2040.