Social Determinants of health. Homelessness. Socioeconomic status

Social Determinants of Health
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Social Determinants of Health
Identify what you think are the three most important social determinants of health. Explain why you think these are important
The health status or conditions of a person or community are influenced by several elements that work together. Therefore, whether a person is healthy or not is determined by the environment or conditions that they live in. To a greater extent, factor such as the socioeconomic status, and where they live have significant impacts on the health status of a person. Some of the social determinants of health include: homelessness, socioeconomic and housing.
* Homelessness
Homelessness is a significant social determinant of health. Homeless individuals are exposed to worse health conditions because of poor living conditions and lack of food. Moreover, self-care resources are limited to homeless people (Raphael, 2016). For instance, a diabetic patient may find it difficult managing the condition because they do not have an appropriate place for storing insulin and they lack access to nutritious food. Moreover, may live in areas which are inaccessible, for example, wooded areas which are hard to access due to lack of means of transportation. The inaccessibility of these areas creates challenges to healthcare providers who find it hard reaching the homes of homeless individuals and establishment of the patient-healthcare provide relationship which is necessary in care. Moreover, most people are without housing and they are forced to live in the streets, share a house or shelters resulting in overcrowding in small houses as well as shelters (Raphael, 2016). Since most people do not have a home of their own, they find themselves living in close proximity with others increasing the risks of transferable diseases and illness. This overcrowding may cause stress and depression to some people who turn up to drug abuse and sexual behaviour endangering their health status.
* Socioeconomic status
Socioeconomic status (SES) is another fundamental social determinant of health. Poor people have worse health statuses than rich individuals. This was evident when infectious diseases were a problem and where there was overcrowding and poor sanitation. This is also evident in these modern times where such diseases are no longer a threat to the country, but instead of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart diseases which are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Individuals from the lower SES class experience the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from these diseases due to various factors such as insufficient access to nutritious food, smoking which is common in the group, and lack of exercise (Raphael, 2016). Additionally, lower SES affects the accessibility of resources that are necessary in mitigating the consequences of a disease.
* Housing
Housing is another factor which is being strongly associated to health outcomes. This factor is addressed from four pathways which include; stability, quality and safety, affordability as well as the neighbourhood. The stability perspective holds that people who are homeless or have housing instability due to frequent movements and rent problems a...