Health is defined as a state in which a person experiences “complete physical, mental and social well-being” (World Health Organization, 1946, p. 3, as cited in Mooney, Knox & Schacht, 2014, p. 27). Although health and illness manifest as biological or psychological conditions, social problems can affect not just the social well-being of people, but also contribute to the development of physical and mental illness. Socioeconomic status, gender, and race/ethnicity are the three main social factors associated with health and illness because they determine the risk for unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and the availability of health care to individuals.
Socioeconomic status is a predictor of health and illness because poverty is associated with various health risks such as malnutrition, unsanitary living conditions, lack of social support, and limited access to health care. In the United States, people with a low socioeconomic status are more likely to experience physical health problems, mental health problems, and premature death than people with a high socioeconomic status (Mooney et al., 2014). Living below the poverty line is a stressful experience, and stress can also reduce a person’s physical and mental health. However, it is important to consider that health and illness are also predictors of socioeconomic status. Individuals with poor physical and mental health can have trouble finishing their education and finding permanent employment, so they cannot achieve an appropriate socioeconomic status.
Gender is another social factor that predicts health and illness because men and women often have unequal statuses within society. The low social status of women in developing countries is associated with malnutrition and limits their access to health care, whereas women in the United States are often targets of violence, which reflects poorly on their physical and mental health (Mooney et al., 2014). Men are more likely to engage in health risk behaviors than women because society often teaches men to be strong, aggressive, and competitive, as well as avoid showing emotional weaknesses (Mooney et al., 2014).
Racial and ethnic groups determine an individual’s health because minority status is often socioeconomic status, as well as the values and expected behaviors within certain groups. The effects of low socioeconomic status and minority status on health have been observed in Native Americans, who are more likely to experience injuries and alcohol-related disease (Mooney et al., 2014). The values and norms of a specific group can also determine their behavior and affect their health. Compared to White, non-Hispanic males, Hispanic males have a higher risk of dying or experiencing health problems associated with violence and substance abuse (Mooney et al., 2014).
The contemporary health care system aims to improve healthcare delivery by changing the social policy in the area of health care while considering the main social factors that affect health. For example, access to mental health care is limited for minorities because healthcare professionals require extensive training and competence to work with culturally diverse patients. The 2010 Affordable Care Act is a reform in health care that aims to resolve that issue by funding the education of qualified professionals in the field of healthcare (Mooney et al., 2014).
It is clear that multiple social factors determine the prevalence of illness and the perceived well-being certain groups. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving health care systems alone will provide fewer benefits compared to interventions aimed at resolving multiple social problems associated with health and illness. Socioeconomic inequality, racial/ethnic inequality, and gender inequality are the three main social factors that affect health and illness. Changing healthcare policies can improve access to healthcare and the quality of care, but those issues also need to be addressed individually to improve public health.
References
Mooney, L. A., Know, D., & Schacht, C. (2014). Understanding social problems (9th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.
