1. What are social determinants of health? Explain how social determinants of health contribute to the development of disease. Describe the fundamental idea that the communicable disease chain model is designed to represent. Give an example of the steps a nurse can take to break the link within the communicable disease chain.
Resources within your text covering international/global health, and the websites in the topic materials, will assist you in answering this discussion question. 400 words 2 references
2 Select a global health issue affecting the international health community. Briefly describe the global health issue and its impact on the larger public health care systems (i.e., continents, regions, countries, states, and health departments). Discuss how health care delivery systems work collaboratively to address global health concerns and some of the stakeholders that work on these issues.
Resources within your text covering international/global health, and the websites in the topic materials, will assist you in answering this discussion question. 400 words 2 references
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is essential to educate college students on various aspects of global health. This includes understanding social determinants of health and their impact on disease development, as well as recognizing global health issues and the role of health care delivery systems in addressing them. In this response, I will provide answers to the questions regarding social determinants of health and a global health issue affecting the international health community.
1. What are social determinants of health? Explain how social determinants of health contribute to the development of disease. Describe the fundamental idea that the communicable disease chain model is designed to represent. Give an example of the steps a nurse can take to break the link within the communicable disease chain.
Social determinants of health are social and economic factors that contribute to a person’s overall health and well-being, such as education, employment, housing, and access to health care. These factors can contribute to health inequalities and affect an individual’s susceptibility to disease.
Social determinants of health can contribute to the development of disease by increasing exposure to risk factors such as poor living and working conditions, inadequate access to health care, and limited access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities. For instance, individuals living in poverty are more likely to experience poor health outcomes due to increased exposure to risk factors and limited access to health care.
The communicable disease chain model is designed to represent the process through which a communicable disease spreads from one person to another. The model includes six links: the infectious agent, the reservoir, the portal of exit, the mode of transmission, the portal of entry, and the susceptible host. Break any link in the chain to stop the spread of the disease.
Nurses can take several steps to break the link in the communicable disease chain. For example:
– Use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to infectious agents.
– Practice proper hand hygiene to reduce the spread of germs.
– Isolate patients with communicable diseases to prevent transmission to others.
– Promote vaccination to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
2. Select a global health issue affecting the international health community. Briefly describe the global health issue and its impact on the larger public health care systems (i.e., continents, regions, countries, states, and health departments). Discuss how health care delivery systems work collaboratively to address global health concerns and some of the stakeholders that work on these issues.
One global health issue affecting the international health community is HIV/AIDS. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, and AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection when the body can no longer fight off infections. HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on public health care systems globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is most prevalent. The disease has led to increased demand for health care services, including testing, treatment, and care for patients living with HIV/AIDS.
Health care delivery systems work collaboratively to address global health concerns such as HIV/AIDS by implementing prevention and control strategies. This includes ensuring access to HIV testing, counseling, and treatment. Health care systems also collaborate with stakeholders such as community-based organizations and governments to address social and economic determinants of health that contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The WHO, UNAIDS, and other international organizations also play a significant role in addressing HIV/AIDS through advocacy, resource mobilization, and implementation of global strategies to combat the disease.
In conclusion, understanding social determinants of health and global health issues is crucial in promoting optimal health care delivery systems worldwide. Health care professionals can take active steps to break the link in the communicable disease chain and work with stakeholders to address health disparities and disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS.