How Socioeconomic Status Determine Health Outcomes

How Socioeconomic Status Determine Health Outcomes

Whether assessed in terms of income, education level or employment, socioeconomic status is closely linked to various health problems and health outcomes of different cohorts of people in the society. Social-economic status impacts individual health and hence the entire community’s health (Adler & Newman, 2002). People who live in developing countries are susceptible to various health conditions. The majority of them who live in lower socioeconomic status environments have limited access to quality healthcare than those who live in a better socioeconomic environment. Socioeconomic status is typically linked to mortality and morbidity among individuals in a community. Poverty reduces access to healthcare services; on the other hand, wealth increases the likelihood of accessing health services. Various components determine the socioeconomic status of individuals within it that significantly choose the health outcomes of the individuals involved. The social and economic opportunities among individuals in the communities are fundamental in achieving optimum healthy lives. Socioeconomic opportunities exist in various socioeconomic components The components of socioeconomic status traditionally range from education, income level, and occupation/employment.

In terms of health-seeking behaviors, better educated or more schooling is linked to healthier lives due to the existing exposure on the importance of seeking health attention when needed when factors like income are considered (County Healthy Rankings & Roadmaps, n.d.).  Literate people have health information and are more likely to navigate healthcare than those who lack education, particularly health literacy. It is true to say that higher levels of education make one have complete control of their life. Therefore, making healthy lifestyle choices like living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding chronic conditions resulting from a poor lifestyle. Lower education levels have been associated with poorer health outcomes (Van Der Heide et al., 2013). Individuals with low education levels are equally considered to have low health literacy levels; they have a low capacity to access and comprehend essential health services and health education/information needed to make sound and healthy decisions (Van Der Heide et al., 2013). I firmly believe that formal education should not be an automatic determinant of health literacy among individuals in a community. Health education should be accessible to all individuals regardless of their formal education level by providing universal access to health education, using the most basic strategies that diverse community members can adopt. It is argued, and I conquer, that better education leads to exposure to more money and consequently access to health insurance benefits that determine the access to quality health care services (Center on Society and Health, n.d.). The level of education determines the level of income individuals will be subjected to, and in return, it will trigger other aspects of health status, either directly or indirectly.

The individuals with a higher level of income have purported to be healthier, as established by many long-term research (Public Health Scotland, 2019). A low level of income results in extreme poverty that eventually causes health inequalities among the poor and the rich in society, therefore directly influencing health status. Countries with high per capita income have a reduced mortality rate over the years (Public Health Scotland, 2019). It is widely noted that an increase in income level leads to a subsequent reduction in health risks. Equally, individuals with a higher income can access quality health services and improve their health status and outcomes. Income is vital and has been strongly associated with morbidity and mortality across the distribution. It has been established that the existing gaps in income levels have been increasing, especially in developing countries (Khullar & Chokshi,2018). The economic disparity has increased the corresponding life expectancy. People who have a higher income are determined to have a longer life, other factors kept constant, compared to those who have a lower payment. Low-earning people face challenges when accessing health care services compared to those who have high-income (Khullar & Chokshi,2018). Individuals with low income are less likely to access quality health insurance, limiting their urge to seek medical attention. They opt to spend their little income on other immediate primary needs.

In my core values, which I strongly believe in, respect for human rights, social dignity, and fairness is vital regardless of the socioeconomic status of individuals. Access to health ought to be treated as an equal right to all people; people should access healthcare services wherever and whenever they need them. Universal access to healthcare without discrimination based on any status is a human right; countries should always strive to make healthcare accessible to all by putting equitable strategies in place. Social dignity is essential since it enables interventions that work towards a community’s collective goal, particularly on the socioeconomic status of the community members. Dignity disregards poverty status, employment status, and even income levels. As my key core value, fairness is crucial in ensuring equal distribution of healthcare facilities to ensure equity in health outcomes. Fair financing will ensure countries provide analogous health insurance schemes that will collectively uplift individuals from across the social-economic status.

Employment is yet another socioeconomic component that determines the health status of individuals in that it is perceived that a higher employment rate is associated with a higher life expectancy rate and better health outcomes. Conversely, unemployment is deemed to cause stress that results in short-term and long-term psychological issues that will negatively affect people’s mental health (The Health Foundation, 2021). While unemployment can be directly linked to poor health outcomes, employment can negatively or positively impact health outcomes (Antonisse & Garfield, 2019). Negatively, depending on the mental strain invested in various jobs, the number of work-hours, the amount paid from specific jobs, job security may cause stress to individuals. Positively employment is associated with reducing depression and consequently improving the mental health of individuals

In conclusion, the socioeconomic status that determines the health outcomes of individuals and collective society can be analyzed from a negative and positive perspective. The assumption that one factor that impacts health outcomes positively, e.g., employment, lack of it, will negatively impact health outcomes is imperative and should not be adopted. It is widely agreed that people who live in lower socioeconomic status are susceptible to poor health outcomes. It is premature to conclude that all the factors can be applicable across people living in the same society, particularly those from developing countries. The components of socioeconomic status heavily determine the disparities and gaps that exist in accessing health. A comprehensive and closer analysis of each element is paramount to understanding the disparities’ dynamics and nature.

References

Adler, N. E., & Newman, K. (2002). Socioeconomic disparities in health: pathways and   policies. Health Affairs21(2), 60-76.

County Healthy Rankings & Roadmaps. (n.d.). Education. County Health Rankings &             Roadmaps. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/explore-health-rankings/measures-        data-sources/county-health-rankings-model/health-factors/social-and-economic-             factors/education

Van Der Heide, I., Wang, J., Droomers, M., Spreeuwenberg, P., Rademakers, J., & Uiters, E.       (2013). The relationship between health, education, and health literacy: results from the            Dutch Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey. Journal of health communication18(sup1),      172-184. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2013.825668

Center On Society and Health. (n.d.). Center on society and health. Center on Society and             Health. https://societyhealth.vcu.edu/work/the-projects/why-education-matters-to-health-  exploring-the-causes.html

Public Health Scotland. (2019, October 15). Incomehttps://www.healthscotland.scot/health-            inequalities/fundamental-causes/income-inequality/income

Khullar, D., & Chokshi, D. A. (2018). Health, income, & poverty: Where we are & what could    help. Health Affairs10.      https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hpb20180817.901935/full/

The Health Foundation. (2021, April 16). Unemployment and mental             healthhttps://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/unemployment-and-mental-health

Antonisse, L., & Garfield, R. (2019, December 5). The relationship between work and health:      Findings from a literature review. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/the-          relationship-between-work-and-health-findings-from-a-literature-review/

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