What Are Social Determinants Of Health And How Do They Impac
What Are Social Determinants Of Health How Do Social Determinants Of
What are social determinants of health? How do social determinants of health contribute to the development of illness? What is a communicable disease chain? Are there steps that a nurse can take to break a link within the communicable disease chain? Give a specific example.
Paper For Above instruction
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these determinants encompass a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and behavioral factors that shape the health of individuals and communities. They include socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, social support networks, and access to healthcare services (WHO, 2021). These elements play a crucial role in determining health disparities and can significantly contribute to the development of illnesses.
The impact of social determinants on health is profound. For instance, individuals living in poverty often face barriers to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing. Limited access to these essentials increases vulnerability to various health conditions, including chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory illnesses (CDC, 2020). Educational attainment influences health literacy, affecting individuals’ ability to understand health information and make informed decisions. Neighborhood safety and environmental conditions further determine exposure to hazards like pollution, which can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Overall, social determinants establish the contextual framework within which health and disease develop.
A key concept in understanding infectious diseases is the communicable disease chain, which illustrates how infections spread from one host to another. The chain consists of six interconnected links: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host (CDC, 2020). Breaking any link within this chain can prevent or control disease transmission. For instance, vaccination reduces the number of susceptible hosts, effectively interrupting the chain.
Nurses play a vital role in disrupting the communicable disease chain through targeted interventions. For example, in the case of influenza, a nurse can promote vaccination to prevent infection, educate patients on proper hand hygiene to eliminate pathogens, and advocate for adequate sanitation practices. These steps eliminate or reduce links such as mode of transmission and susceptibility, thereby curbing the spread. An illustrative example is the COVID-19 pandemic, where nurses have been instrumental in promoting mask-wearing, social distancing, and vaccination campaigns to break the chain and reduce transmission rates.
In conclusion, social determinants significantly influence health outcomes, often acting as underlying factors that predispose individuals to illness. Understanding and addressing these determinants, along with effective management of infectious disease chains, is essential for improving public health. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, are uniquely positioned to implement strategies that target both social determinants and disease transmission pathways, ultimately fostering healthier communities.
References
World Health Organization. (2021). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Infectious Disease Chain. https://www.cdc.gov/infectiousdiseases/
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Social Determinants of Health. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
World Health Organization. (2021). How social determinants affect health. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/social-determinants-of-health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Infectious Disease Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyscrutiny/infectiousdiseases.html
Families USA. (2017). Why Global Health Matters — Here and Abroad. https://familiesusa.org/resources/why-global-health-matters
World Health Organization. (2021). social determinants of health: unlocking opportunities for healthier lives. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240017760
CDC. (2020). The Chain of Infection. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/chain-of-infection.html
HHS. (n.d.). Addressing Social Determinants of Health. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
WHO. (2017). Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.