Advantages And Disadvantages Of Social Determinants Of Health
Introduction
Social determinants of health have attracted the attention of governments, policy makers and international health organisations in the last couple of decades (20). This is because the social conditions in which people are born, live and work is an important predictor of good or poor health (WHO ?). According to Kibesh (1200) social determinants drive health disparities, disrupts the human developmental process and undermine the quality of life and opportunities for people and families (ref). Thus, several theories have been developed over the years to provide in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health and to reduce health inequalities (World Health Organization, 2006, 2015; Hankivsky and Christoffersen, 2008). …show more content…
This will ultimately create awareness among politicians and bureaucrats about the impact of their decision on the health outcomes of the citizenry. The theory is also effective in sharing light on some of the loop holes in the government system (WHO, 2010).
A disadvantage of the theory is that it focuses on distal factors that are difficult to intervene especially when it involves politicians and bureaucrats. This sentiment is shared by Krieger (2001) when she states that it is not easy to make changes due to the level of bureaucracy in the system and the effort needed to affect a policy change (Krieger, 2001). So that although issues are pointed out and realized, change becomes far from reach.
Ecosocial …show more content…
Furthermore, ecosocial model avoids false linearity whereas the others generally follow a linear progression from social characteristics through various mediators to health outcomes (ref).
Conclusion
Based on the above discussions, it is obvious that the theories of disease production and social determination of is very important in the development of social epidemiology. This is because it emphasises on exploring the basis for health inequalities and recognise the importance of the social and environmental determinants of health.
Further, many of the elements in these theories have provided insight into the determinants of health and highlighted the need to focus action on the underlying social, economic, biological, historical and environmental factors in order to have a better understanding of social determinants of health. It has also it has inspired considerable debate and controversy within the public health research community over their relevance and importance of social determinants of health.
However, I support the view of Krieger (0000) when she states that the theories have a ‘shared observation of disparities in health, however, do not necessarily translate to common understandings of causes, that is why we need
Social determinants of health have attracted the attention of governments, policy makers and international health organisations in the last couple of decades (20). This is because the social conditions in which people are born, live and work is an important predictor of good or poor health (WHO ?). According to Kibesh (1200) social determinants drive health disparities, disrupts the human developmental process and undermine the quality of life and opportunities for people and families (ref). Thus, several theories have been developed over the years to provide in-depth understanding of the social determinants of health and to reduce health inequalities (World Health Organization, 2006, 2015; Hankivsky and Christoffersen, 2008). …show more content…
This will ultimately create awareness among politicians and bureaucrats about the impact of their decision on the health outcomes of the citizenry. The theory is also effective in sharing light on some of the loop holes in the government system (WHO, 2010).
A disadvantage of the theory is that it focuses on distal factors that are difficult to intervene especially when it involves politicians and bureaucrats. This sentiment is shared by Krieger (2001) when she states that it is not easy to make changes due to the level of bureaucracy in the system and the effort needed to affect a policy change (Krieger, 2001). So that although issues are pointed out and realized, change becomes far from reach.
Ecosocial …show more content…
Furthermore, ecosocial model avoids false linearity whereas the others generally follow a linear progression from social characteristics through various mediators to health outcomes (ref).
Conclusion
Based on the above discussions, it is obvious that the theories of disease production and social determination of is very important in the development of social epidemiology. This is because it emphasises on exploring the basis for health inequalities and recognise the importance of the social and environmental determinants of health.
Further, many of the elements in these theories have provided insight into the determinants of health and highlighted the need to focus action on the underlying social, economic, biological, historical and environmental factors in order to have a better understanding of social determinants of health. It has also it has inspired considerable debate and controversy within the public health research community over their relevance and importance of social determinants of health.
However, I support the view of Krieger (0000) when she states that the theories have a ‘shared observation of disparities in health, however, do not necessarily translate to common understandings of causes, that is why we need