booklet 2- factors affecting health and wellbeing

what are the socio-economic factors

1. gender
2. housing
3. culture and ethnicity
4. social class

how does gender affect physical health

* women tend to live longer than men as they are the biggest users of the health care to look after their physical health
* heart disease kills 2x men compared to women
* males more likely to get bladder cancer
* breast cancer is 2nd highest killer of women
* men likely to have accidents as motor vehicle deaths is 2nd highest killer of men
* men more likely to work outdoors, positive, but also means more likely for accidents at e.g. building site

how does gender affect social health

* younger women need supervised for safety reasons, so not able to be alone at night
* women prefer shopping and men prefer gaming as their social activities
* different genders socialise in different places e.g. men in a pub, women in a cafe
* men tend to socialise in larger groups

how does gender affect psychological health

* women post natal depression 1/10
* women more likely to talk about problems
* depression is most common condition in women, 2x as common for men
* women are more likely to have bipolar disorder
* men are 3x more likely to have an anti-social personality disorder e.g. schizophrenia
* men more likely to resort to substance abuse
* men more likely to commit suicide

how does housing affect physical health

* houses with damp condensation and mould growth lead to asthma, bronchitis and arthritis
* if they lack adequate heating, can result in respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems and hypothermia
* overcrowding can lead to spread of illness
* if it has no outside space, reduces chance of physical activity possibly leading to obesity or poor development of gross motor skills
* poorly designed lead to accidents and injuries

how does housing affect social health

* smaller house limits social interactions in home
* poor conditions can limit social interactions as not wanting to bring people back
* smaller houses may mean overcrowding can result in tension on families

how does housing affect psychological health

* poor quality can cause stress or worry
* poor quality can link to low self esteem
* those who live in poor housing are more likely to have depression
* overcrowding links to stress however living alone links to isolation and anxiety
* outdoor space are less likely to feel stress

how does culture and ethnicity affect physical health

* all ethnic minority groups (EMG) bar Irish and Chinese are at higher risk of diabetes
* asian men more likely to have heart attack
* afro-caribbean and Pakistani women of low income groups are more likely to be obese
* Irish people are more likely to have liver problems due to amount of alcohol use
* EMG may find it harder to access health care due to language and cultural barriers
* sickle cell anaemia is exclusive to black population
* different cultures have different diets

how does culture and ethnicity affect social health

* EMG may feel discriminated against, therefore isolated
* EMG language barrier prevents communication
* some EMG such as muslims, against drinking and gambling therefore limiting their social interactions
* some cultures forbid women from leaving house alone

how does culture and ethnicity affect psychological health

* some EMG may feel lonely or depressed as a result of discriminatory or being away from their country
* some EMG find it difficult to talk about mental health, leading to issues or suicide
* some EMG have arranged marriages which make them feel disempowered and unhappy
* some EMG have very close family support systems making them more happy, and relaxed

how does social class affect physical health

* middle class has longer life expectancy due to money to afford better conditions and diet, also able to afford private health care and health insurance
* working class have more stress and are prone to illnesses
* older people from working class are 3-4x higher risk of physical dysfunction compared to middle class
* children from lower class are 3x more likely for poor health and middle class
* infant mortality higher in lower classes due to not able to afford the health checkups
* working class women more likely to smoke
* breast cancer more common in middle class due to delaying childbearing due to careers, but are also more likely to survive

how does social class affect social health

* middle class can afford more social activities
* working class may find it hard to afford to go out and socialise
* middle class are more likely to join sports clubs, hobbies or access courses

how does social class affect psychological health

* middle class can afford to join clubs which reduces stress
* working class are more prone to depression
* those from working class are more likely to have a negative self concept as they haven’t ‘done as well’
* working class may feel excluded

what are the physical factors

1. chronic illness and disease
2. genetic inheritance
3. ageing process

how does chronic illness and disease affect physical health

* mobility issues
* cause pain
* require treatment
* require medication
* affect ability to exercise leading to obesity
* appearance may change e.g. weight loss/gain

how does chronic illness and disease affect social health

* strain on relationships
* missing out on work
* becoming withdrawn due to illness
* being fearful in public due to illness
* isolation due to illness
* changes in the ability to interact
* deciding to spend more time with friends and family

how does chronic illness and disease affect psychological health

* range of emotions
* feel disempowered
* depressed, stress and anxiety
* low self esteem
* determined to make to most out of what’s left, positive outlook

how does genetic inheritance affect physical health

* major effects on the physical well being e.g. those with CF require daily physiotherpy
* can affect physical appearance
* could inherit good health

how does genetic inheritance affect social health

* strain on relationships if family act as careers
* long term in hospitals
* cannot participate in certain activities
* due to change of appearance, may isolate
* become closer with family and friends
* miss work or school

how does genetic inheritance affect psychological health

* low self image
* depression
* feel like a burden
* stressed and anxious
* fear
* anger
* positive outlook

how does ageing process affect physical health

* prone to fractures due to bones being more brittle
* muscles weaker
* eyes weaken
* hearing impaired
* shallow breathing due to weak diaphragm muscles
* developing chronic condition
* reproductive system changes

how does ageing process affect social health

* memory issues
* cannot partake in certain activities
* retirement can make you lose touch with others or become closer with family due to extra time

how does ageing process affect psychological health

* lowered self esteem
* stress
* fear and anxiety
* relaxed
* burden as dependent on others
* lack of autonomy
* loneliness

what are the environmental factors

1. geographical location
2. pollution
3. occupational hazards

how does geographical location affect physical health

* there’s a postcode lottery in regard to the provision of health services e.g. may be possible to access AA none town but not another
* those who live in rural areas may have problems accessing services, so they could miss out on early intervention of illness
* high crime areas
* rural areas have more opportunity for leisure activities and less pollution

how does geographical location affect social health

* those in rural areas may find it hard to access certain activities
* those in rural areas have less social contact and may find themselves isolated
* those in towns/cities have more anti social behavioural problems

those in rural areas have more outdoor activities

how does geographical location affect psychological health

* those in rural have less stress as more relaxing environment
* those in urban areas may worry about children health
* rural areas tend to make people happier due to fresh air
* rural areas more likely to be depressed due to feeling lonely

how does pollution affect physical health

* vehicles and factories releasing toxic fumes can lead to respiratory infections e.g. bronchitis
* long term effects of air pollution can cause chronic respiratory disease
* smoking causes air pollution, and can be breathed in, leading to lung cancer
* run off from fields can pollute drinking water with chemicals making people sick
* noise pollution disturbing sleep

how does pollution affect social health

* noise pollution disturbs social events
* air pollution may restrict social activities
* water pollution, closed beaches due to oil spillages

how does pollution affect psychological health

* noise pollution may stress people out and make them angry. they can’t sleep as well either causing possible depression
* air pollution may worry people about their health

how does occupational hazard affect physical health

* those who work with chemicals new exposed to many illnesses and potential damage to respiratory system
* asbestos can cause asbestosis which is scarring of lung tissue which leads to poor circulation
* those who work in construction lift heavy loads which causes back pain
* there’s a wide range of accidents that can occur from work, falling off ladders or slipping on wet surfaces
* some jobs experience physical abuse like paramedics
* working with machinery can risk serious injury

how does occupational hazard affect social health

* stress from work can cause tension at home
* if they get injured, and have to take time off, their income lowers meaning they cannot afford activities
* stressful jobs can be exhausting meaning they dont have energy to go out
* long hour

how does occupational hazard affect psychological health

* verbal abuse can make people feel depressed
* those in medical field can take tolls on their mind if someone dies
* jobs with alot of dependence can cause stress

what are behavioural factors

1. exercise and lack of
2. poor/healthy diet
3. smoking
4. alcohol misuse
5. illegal drug use

how does exercise and lack of affect physical health

* reduces risk of obesity
* builds bone strength, preventing osteoporosis
* protect individuals from cancer
* less likely to get sick
* life expectancy increase
* lead to injury
* more energy
* builds muscle

how does exercise and lack of affect social health

* team sports encourage relationships and cooperation
* exercise is usually in social context e.g. dance class
* tend to be more confident, more sociable
* spend too much time exercising, neglecting relationships

how does exercise and lack of affect psychological health

* relieve stress, depression and anxiety
* improves body shape therefore positive self image
* when working as a team, gain sense of acceptance
* more confident
* improve memory and concentration

how does poor/healthy diet affect physical health

* lower risk of chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease
* unlikely to become obese
* less likely for painful joints
* strengthen immune system
* boosts energy
* high in salt - increase chance of stroke and CHD
* high in sugar - increase risk of diabetes

how does poor/healthy diet affect social health

* more confident due to happy with weight, more likely to socialise
* most social activities involve food, so those obsessing on diet may avoid these
* individuals sit down and eat with family to promote relationships
* healthy food costs more, less money for social activities

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how does poor/healthy diet affect psychological health

* feel guilty for poor diet
* obese - low self esteem
* lower energy
* eating disorders lead to depression

how does smoking affect physical health

* respiratory problems
* affect smell and taste
* reduce energy and stamina
* risk of cancer
* affects appearance
* reduces ability to exercise

how does smoking affect social health

* breath and clothes smell which can be off putting so others may not want to be near them
* restrictions in social situations, only outside
* expensive, not enough money to go out
* meet new people in smoking area

how does smoking affect psychological health

* feel powerless
* low self esteem as they know its bad for them
* addiction can cause depression
* withdrawals can make those irritable
* calms stress

how does alcohol misuse affect physical health

* short term effects include dizziness, nausea, vomitting, hangovers, headaches
* issues for young people include internal bleeding, weakening of heart, liver problems, inflammation of pancreas
* death or injury due to risk taking activities such as drunk driving, STD
* deterioration of nervous system
* weight gain

how does alcohol misuse affect social health

* cannot afford social activities
* jobs and school affected by hangovers
* break down relationships due to no trust in them
* associated with crime

how does alcohol misuse affect psychological health

* feel they can’t cope without it
* anxiety due to paranoia
* regular use associates with depression
* brain damage, issue with memory
* shame and guilt

how does illegal drug use affect physical health

* experience abnormalities of coordination and speech patterns or disorientation
* accidents, unsafe sex, premature death
* HIV or hepatitis due to needles
* lack of concern for appearance and grooming
* ill in withdrawals, no energy, sickness and shaking
* different effects per person - no sleep, oversleeping, eating more, under eating

how does illegal drug use affect social health

* difficulties in family and other relationships causing isolation
* financial problems, no money for social activities
* work performance drop, may lose job
* crime, jail sentence, removed from society

how does illegal drug use affect psychologically health

* euphoria
* guilt and low self esteem
* reduced emotional control
* forgetful and lack of concentration due to damage to nervous system
* black outs
* mental health problems