Factors Affecting Health

FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH

• Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities. • Whether people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment.  where we live  the state of our envrt genetics income and education level our relationships with friends and family 04/09/09

More commonly considered factors access and use of health care services less of an impact. Determinants of Health

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Major determinantsSocio of health Social Support Network s Environ -ment

Geneti cs

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economi c conditio ns

Nutritio n

Healt h

Physica l envt.

Health service s Determinants of Health

Gende r

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The major determinants of health HEREDITY/GENETICS

 

•Genetic makeup is unique, cannot be altered after conception. • Inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses. GENDER

Men and women suffer from different types of diseases at different ages. 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

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ENVIRONMENT (Physical envt.)

Hippocrates related disease to envtclimate, water, air, etc. • Envt. has direct impact on physical, mental and social well-being of those living in it. •Envtal factors- housing, water supply, psychosocial stress & family structure thru social & economic support systems, organization of health & social welfare services in the community. 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

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HEALTH SERVICES

Access and use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health. SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS Greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health. Culture - customs and traditions, and the beliefs of the family and community all affect health. NUTRITION 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

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SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS (i) Economic status-

 Determines the purchasing power, std of living, qlty of life, pattern of disease.  Imp factor in seeking health care.  Affluence may also contribute to diseases. (ii) Education Female education  Education compensates the effects of poverty on health. IMR in Kerala 14, India 71 (1999). (iii) Occupation-

 People in employment are healthier.  Loss of work- loss of income & status. 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

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SOCIO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS (iv) Political system Implementation of health technologies

are not technological, but rather political.  How can pol syst shape community health services? Decisions concerning resource allocation, manpower policy, choice of technology & the degree to which health services are made available to diff segments of the society.  %age of GNP spent on health is a 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

quantitative indicator of political

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OTHER FACTORS

Health related systemsFood & agriculture Education Industry Social welfare Rural Development Adoption of policies in the economic & social fields that wld assist in raising the stds of living- Employment opportunities, increased wages, prepaid medical programmes & family support systems. 04/09/09

Determinants of Health

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