Summary: The Influence Of Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status refers to an individual’s ability to produce and consume resources (Landsbergis, Grzywacz, & LaMontagne, 2014). It is one of the most important determinants of health and is associated with access to material resources, such as adequate housing, safe neighborhoods, healthy food, clean water, clean air, educational opportunities, and control over ones work (Symbaluk & Bereska, 2016). A lack of these material resources can have a direct or indirect impact on ones health and illness. Socioeconomic status affects an individual’s health and illness through job security, adequate nutritious diet, and has an impact on lifestyle behaviors. Lower socioeconomic status is consistently linked with job insecurity (Landsbergis et al., 2014). …show more content…
According to statistics Canada (2013), over one million households experience food insecurity. This is due to the high cost of a healthy diet and the difficulty some social groups have accessing healthy foods (Symbaluk & Bereska, 2016). People of lower socioeconomic status have a feeling of less control over their lives, which then reduces the motivation to engage in healthy behavior. For example, an individual may smoke giving false impressions of easing stress. Consumption of alcohol may also be used in attempt to escape from life’s stressors (Symbaluk & Bereska, 2016). The conflict perspective can help us understand why these social inequalities