Determinants of Health

Broad Features of Society (determinants)

Culture Affluence

Social cohesion

Social inclusion

Political Structure

Media

Language

Broad Features of Society (example)

Language affects how people interact with the world around them, including how they seek and receive health advice. For example, if an individual lives in a country where the dominant language is not their first language, they might be less likely to seek help from health professionals due to this language barrier, or may misinterpret the advice they are given. This can prevent individuals from getting treatment for serious diseases, damaging their physical health. It can also limit their ability to participate in culture, leading them to feel excluded and socially isolated. This has a huge negative impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.

Socioeconomic (determinants)

Educational attainment

Employment status

Cultural background

Social networks

Social expectations

Cultural traditions

Socioeconomic (example)

An individual’s educational attainment has a significant impact on their ability to understand health information, find secure employment and improve their wellbeing. For example, an individual with a high level of educational attainment will have a better understanding of medical terms, thus will have a better understanding of how to advocate for themselves in the healthcare system. and will be able to access a high paying job that enables them to afford medical assistance. 

Environmental (determinants)

Geographic location

Air & water quality

Safe workplaces

Community safety

Access to resources

Prevalence of natural disasters

Access to transport

Environmental (example)

For example, if an individual lives in an overpopulated, polluted city with very poor air quality, they may incur various diseases which will affect their health, potentially even leading to death. These include lung cancer, asthma and pneumonia. Poor air quality also discourages individuals from exercising outdoors, causing many to lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Biomedical (determinants)

Genetics

Blood pressure

Blood glucose

Cholesterol levels

Physical impairment

Biomedical (example)

Healthy levels of blood glucose are essential to wellbeing. For example, an individual who is genetically inclined to have blood glucose that is too high/low may be often fatigued, struggle with concentration, and at risk of diseases that can be life threatening (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc…). This negatively affects their wellbeing.

Health Behaviours (determinants)

Tobacco

Alcohol consumption

Physical activity

Dietary behaviour

Drug use

Sexual practice

Health behaviours (example)

For example, high rates of physical activity are essential to an individual’s wellbeing. It has been proven to enhance sleep quality, improve mental health through the release of endorphins, build self esteem and enhance fitness.

Cardiorespiratory endurance

Aerobic exercises e.g. jogging, swimming, dancing. Not anaerobic exercises e.g. sprinting, weight lifting

Flexibility

Helps to improve posture, prevent injury, maintain mobility later in life

Muscular strength

Ability of the muscle to exert force against resistance in a singular, maximal contraction. Often anaerobic

Muscular endurance

Ability of muscle to contract repeatedly

Moderate to vigorous activity

football, basketball, netball, bike riding, swimming, dancing

Muscle and bone strengthening activity

running, climbing, push-ups, sit-ups, lifting weights, yoga

Light physical activity

walking to school, walking the dog, going to the park with friends, helping around the house

Recreational screen time

Max 2 hours per day