Two questions:
1-
How do your own, personal social determinants affect your health? What proactive steps have you taken to modify your health behaviors? Do you have any social determinants that are very difficult – or impossible – to change?
500 words, minimum – not including the citations
Sources must be credible
2-
Apply how Socioeconomic Status, Culture, and Religion Affect Health to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
You must find, use, and cite two (2) credible sources or more.
250 – 300 words – without the references
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a medical professor, I believe it is important for medical college students to not only learn about medical conditions and treatments, but also about the social determinants of health that can affect an individual’s well-being. Therefore, in this assignment, I will answer two questions related to the topic of social determinants of health.
1. How do your own, personal social determinants affect your health? What proactive steps have you taken to modify your health behaviors? Do you have any social determinants that are very difficult – or impossible – to change?
As an individual, I am aware that my own social determinants can significantly affect my health. For example, my age and gender can contribute to certain health conditions that are more common in these demographics. Additionally, my access to healthcare, education, and job security can also impact my overall well-being.
To modify my health behaviors, I have taken proactive steps such as maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and managing stress through meditation and yoga. I have also made it a priority to schedule routine check-ups with my healthcare provider and to prioritize my mental health by seeing a therapist.
However, there are some social determinants that may be difficult or impossible to change. For example, my family history of certain health conditions may increase my risk of developing those conditions despite efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, external factors such as environmental pollution and socio-economic status may also impact my health to some extent.
Sources:
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm
– National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2020). Social determinants of environmental health disparities. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/translational/peph/index.cfm
2. Apply how Socioeconomic Status, Culture, and Religion Affect Health to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how socioeconomic status, culture, and religion can significantly impact an individual’s health outcomes. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have more limited access to healthcare and resources such as personal protective equipment, making them more vulnerable to infection. They may also have more limited access to healthy food options and be more likely to live in crowded living conditions, which can increase their risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
Culture and religion have also played a role in the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, cultural practices such as communal living and religious gatherings have contributed to the spread of COVID-19 in some communities. Religious beliefs and practices may also impact an individual’s willingness to receive medical treatment or adhere to public health guidelines.
Sources:
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Health equity considerations and racial and ethnic minority groups. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html
– Kaur, S. P., & Gupta, V. (2020). COVID-19 Vaccine: A comprehensive status report. Virus research, 288, 198114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198114