This article discussed the social determinants of health inequality in England. The authors point out that social and economic factors, such as material, social, political and cultural conditions, are the most influential determinants of the health care disparities in England. The authors believe that social factors have as much, or even more impact on health as the health care system. Therefore, the actions to improve health and reduce health inequalities should not be limited in the health care sectors. We cannot simply blame the unhealthy individual behaviors that induce poor health. We need to understand the social determinants behind those behaviors and personal choices. Changes must also come from a wider social and economic context.
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Therefore, in my opinion, the socioeconomic status is the most important determinant of health. We cannot simply address the healthcare inequalities within the healthcare system. The roots of the health inequalities lie in the socioeconomic basis, such as race/ethnicity, income, education, taxation, labor and housing markets, urban planning, resources allocation, etc. Individuals have little or no control over those factors. The inequality in these areas can only be changed through social and economic policies and political processes. . For example, when there is a chemical plant that dumps industrial wastes directly into the river, the surrounding environment will become polluted and hazardous to the residents. The residents may develop many diseases. The local health care system can treat the symptoms and help people to get better. But it can do nothing about the chemical plant that makes people sick. The people who have higher income and more resources may move out of the neighborhood and live in locations where they are less likely to expose to environmental risks. However, for the majority of the people who cannot afford to do so, they are stuck. There are really little an individual can do in this situation. Only the local organizations and government can alter the situation by making environmental regulations and make sure the chemical plant accommodate the …show more content…
However, in order for this act to be successful in a long run, more policies need to be in place to address the fundamental driving forces of the health disparities in the US, such as poverty, inequalities in race/ethnicity, education and income,
Therefore, in my opinion, the socioeconomic status is the most important determinant of health. We cannot simply address the healthcare inequalities within the healthcare system. The roots of the health inequalities lie in the socioeconomic basis, such as race/ethnicity, income, education, taxation, labor and housing markets, urban planning, resources allocation, etc. Individuals have little or no control over those factors. The inequality in these areas can only be changed through social and economic policies and political processes. . For example, when there is a chemical plant that dumps industrial wastes directly into the river, the surrounding environment will become polluted and hazardous to the residents. The residents may develop many diseases. The local health care system can treat the symptoms and help people to get better. But it can do nothing about the chemical plant that makes people sick. The people who have higher income and more resources may move out of the neighborhood and live in locations where they are less likely to expose to environmental risks. However, for the majority of the people who cannot afford to do so, they are stuck. There are really little an individual can do in this situation. Only the local organizations and government can alter the situation by making environmental regulations and make sure the chemical plant accommodate the …show more content…
However, in order for this act to be successful in a long run, more policies need to be in place to address the fundamental driving forces of the health disparities in the US, such as poverty, inequalities in race/ethnicity, education and income,