Discuss economic, political, and social structures as determinates of health
Economical structures
The economic environment plays a significant role in influencing health outcome of Americans. Primary economic factors that determine health outcome are income levels, education, and the economic status of the nation regarding Gross Domestic Product. Americans living below the poverty line have lower life expectancy because of poor access to health care and the lack of adequate knowledge on diseases. Moreover, the indication of the socioeconomic status of a community determines the mortality and morbidity of that particular population. For example, Hispanic Americans and African-Americans record lower mortality rates than whites in the U.S. because they are associated with low incomes and poor education achievements (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). On the other hand, economically stable nations have better health care facilities with highly qualified providers leading to the delivery of quality and safe care.
Political structures
Political structures of the nation influence the delivery of healthcare to the public. Public health issues affecting the nations must be debated in the political arena where politicians debate and create laws and policies that control the delivery of care. The mode of governing practiced in the country determines the type of health care delivered to the people. Democratic nations have stable and more advanced health care systems compared to non-democratic republics. Public health professionals must have a knowledge of how politics works and its impact on population health because they have played a role in creating strategies that improve access to health services, deal with health inequalities, and control the drug abuse and addiction (Mackenbach, 2014). For example, the delivery of health care in the United States is politically motivated through the administration of President Obama by introducing Affordable Care Act that ensures universal delivery of care at lower costs.
Social structures
Social factors that determine the delivery of health care in a country include levels of income and income distribution, employment rates, working conditions, food security, housing, and culture. Availability of social infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, public safety, efficient housing and quality working and living conditions leads to improved health in the society. The quality of health starts at schools, homes, workplaces, and communities. The social status of a person or the community determines the health outcome of that particular person. Healthy People 2020 highlighted the importance of social determinants of health by encouraging people and communities to create physical and social environments that promote quality health for everyone. Other areas addressed by the guideline include health equity and closing the gap in generations (Health People 2020, 2016).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). CDC Health Disparities and Inequalities
The Report-United States, 2011. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 60. 1-113.
Healthy People 2020. (2016, Sep. 02). Social Determinants of Health. Healthy People.gov.
Retrieved 05 Sep. 2016, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health
Mackenbach, J. P. (2014, Jan 2014). Political determinants of health. The European Journal of
Public Health, 24(1), 2.
