Determinants of Health

The determinants of health

There are a number of factors that cause variations in health status these include environmental, biomedical, lifestyle and behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and genetic contribution.

Some influences like physical activity for example can have a positive impact on health and is known as a protective factor.

Some influences like tobacco smoking for example can have a negative impact on health and is known as a risk factor.

Other determinants of health like genetic contribution and sex for example can not be altered.

Whilst each individual factor has the potential to influence health, it is usually the case that a number of factors combine in order to determine health status.

In Australia there is a wide variety of health differences between different population groups e.g indigenous, rural and remote,

A conceptual framework for health

Health and well-being

DiseaseImpairmentsSymptoms

Injuries

Disability(functional Limitations)

InterventionsPrevention & Health Promotion

Treatment & careRehabiitation

Resources (inputs)

InformationFinancialMaterialHuman

Determinants Of

HealthEnvironmental

PhysicalChemicalBiological

SocialEconomicCultural Political

IndividualGenetic

Attitudes & BeliefsLifestyle & Behaviour

Risk Factors

Biomedical Factors

A biomedical influence on health status is based on the body – the way in which it is structured and how well it is able to function. Based on body structure and function, certain types of disease or illness either will or will not be present.

Body weight, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and glucose tolerance are some of the most important biomedical influences on Australians. Each of these factors has the potential to cause morbidity and mortality.

Biomedical risk factors influencing health

Biomedical Risk Factors

Cause of ill health, disability and mortality

Overweight and Obesity Coronary Heart Disease, Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, gallstones

High Blood Pressure Coronary Heart Disease, stroke

Raised blood cholesterol level Coronary Heart Disease, stroke

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors include influences from the physical environment including climate, pollution, access to water, and food and it also includes socio-economic factors environment factors like culture, family, education and income.

An environmental factor that can influence health is location e.g. people who live in rural or remote parts of Australia experience health advantages due to open spaces and tight knit communities. A disadvantage is gaining access to health care services where individuals may have to travel long distances to access doctors/hospitals/specialists.

Environmental Factors

Factor Example of potential influence on health

Sanitation Spread of disease

Access to food and water Inadequate nutrition may lead to various deficiencies. Unclean water may carry waterborne diseases

Housing Inadequate housing may lead to greater personal security risk.

Education Learning about preventative health behaviours may lead to improvements in health status by teaching how to make healthy choices.

Employment Improves social and emotional aspects of health, provides money to access health resources.

Lifestyle and Behaviours

The ways in which people choose to live and behave can have either a positive or negative influence on their health e.g. dietary behaviour, physical activity, the use of drugs, working conditions and sexual practices.

The impact of lifestyle and behaviour has a direct link to individuals knowledge, attitudes and beliefs.

Lifestyle and Behaviour risk factors

Behaviour risk factors Cause of ill health, disability and mortality

Poor diet and nutrition Coronary heart disease, stroke, digestive cancers, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, dental condition

Excess alcohol consumption Heart Disease, stroke, high blood pressure, accidents, mental illness, violence

Smoking Heart Disease, cancer including mouth, lung & cervical, stroke

Inadequate physical activity Heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, bone fractures, mental illness, obesity

Not vaccinated Measles, diptheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs

Based on the knowledge a person has about an aspect of their health, and their evaluation of the importance or relevance of this information, they will form attitudes or beliefs about it.

The ability to access reliable information is vital in gaining the knowledge needed to maintain a health lifestyle.

The ability to access health information may be difficult for some people e.g. non english speaking people may not know what is available and how they can be accessed.

Genetic Factors

Gender is a significant factor affecting health status. Females are expected to live longer than males and differ somewhat in the types of diseases that they will eventually die from.

Males see the doctor less frequently, suffer more violence, commit suicide in higher numbers.

Females report more minor illnesses, are less physically active and have higher levels of depression.

Why differences? Lower heart disease rates are found in women due to the protection of female sex hormones.

It may be due to the way males and females are socialised and the impact of economic, cultural and social factors that limit or enhance male and female lives and health

Genetic Factors

Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of Health