Social Determinants of Health (SDH) /Activism Article

ocial determinants of health (SDH) /Activism PAPER (5%)

The World Health Organization has defined SDOH as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, play, work and age, as well as the systems in place to deal with illness.” Differences in health outcomes between different populations can be attributed to the different impacts of the SDOH.

The NGR6602L course provides an opportunity for activism in the form of a written editorial, letter to the editor, or letter to an elected official, government office or other organization that has the capacity to make societal change.

Nurses are positioned to improve health by linking SDH to outcomes.

Assignment Objective:

Describe plausible mechanisms by which social factors may influence health.

Understand and synthesize practical interventions (e.g. policy, clinical and population/public health implications) that could be effective at reducing social disparities in health.

Despite remarkable technological and biological advances in health care, far less progress has been made in addressing social determinants of health (SDH), which are defined by the World Health Organization as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life.” Nursing, with its holistic model of health care, is positioned to be a leader in improving health by linking SDH to outcomes through analysis and action.

Assignment Instructions:

1. Write and editorial that should be no longer than 500 words (MAX 2 pages excluding title page and references) and address a suggested topic of action based on social determinants of health (see list below-other topics welcome).
2. What is the problem? What impacts the problem? Plausible solutions? How can you advocate for change? Who can contribute to change? How can APRN’s prioritize nursing research on social aspects of health to connect SDH to health outcomes and develop nursing interventions that alleviate problematic SDH.  How can APRNs collaborate with social and community agencies and institutions to create change? Be creative, assess the problem and offer solutions.

Determinants of health are a range of factors that influence the health status of individuals or populations. At every stage of life, health is determined by complex interactions between social and economic factors, the physical environment and individual behavior. They do not exist in isolation from each other.

Determinants of health as follows:

Income and social status

Social support networks

Education and literacy

Employment/working conditions

Social environments

Physical environments

Personal health practices and coping skills

Healthy child development

Biology and genetic endowment

1. Health services
2. Gender
3. Culture
4. racial discrimination
5. childhood psychosocial environment
6. mindfulness
7. job strain.
8. environment (including air and water quality), food insecurity and food safety, education, employment, social networks, homelessness, and racism.