Assignment Task:
Respond to 2 peer posts
1. The social determinants of health encompass the conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age, including the healthcare system. They unequivocally influence the health disparities observed within and between individuals, families, communities, and countries. (Murdaugh et al.). The client's name is J.D. He is 51, divorced, and lives with a domestic partner. He drives a new electric car and resides in a single-house residential area in a rural community. He enjoys bicycle riding, golf, and driving to Vegas to gamble. J.D. has been a medical professional for over 20 years and is financially secure with his house, salary, and pension. However, he engages in health-damaging behaviors such as tobacco use and weekend alcohol consumption. He has been diagnosed with gout and hypertension, which occasionally causes him to call in sick due to flare-ups of his symptoms.
Social support plays a crucial role in promoting health for this client. It involves listening to a friend in distress, validating support group members, preparing meals for an unwell neighbor, and recognizing and praising employees for their excellent work. These actions aim to bring about positive change and provide educational support. The ultimate goal is to influence the target audience's attitudes, leading to behavioral changes and the resolution of health issues.
The interplay between social support and social determinants is mutually beneficial. Social support from family and friends is a crucial social determinant of health, as it protects individuals' physical and mental well-being by providing emotional sustenance through relationships. This support not only benefits individuals but also has a positive impact on society. Conversely, social isolation, loneliness, and exclusion are associated with higher rates of premature mortality and decreased resilience against severe illnesses such as heart attacks.
To summarize, when individuals receive social support from friends, family, or community, their perceived stress levels will likely decrease. This decrease in stress can lead to an increase in positive emotions and a reduction in feelings of anxiety and depression. Want Assignment Help?
2. Consideration of an individual's social, economic, and educational background is crucial in promoting wellness. It is essential to carefully assess their personal beliefs, values, and environmental factors that impact their choices. While acknowledging the significance of health beliefs and self-efficacy in behavior modification, it is equally important to recognize the pivotal role of social determinants and support in fostering and sustaining healthy behaviors.
KY is a 65-year-old woman who has recently retired after working for 30 years. She leads a predominantly inactive lifestyle and faces various health challenges, including hypertension, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, and atrial fibrillation. The social determinants of health encompass biological attributes, access to healthcare, lifestyle, and the social, economic, and physical environments(Murdaugh et al., 2021). These factors directly and indirectly influence an individual's overall well-being. In this scenario, the social determinants of health promotion include challenges related to health literacy due to limited educational background, as well as economic instability resulting from recent retirement. Healthcare is easily accessible and affordable for the population in her community. The lack of motivation and knowledge are the most critical factors that must be addressed in her situation. Social support systems provide valuable emotional and informational assistance, aiding individuals in identifying barriers and accessing necessary resources(Murdaugh et al., 2021). KY has strong social support from family members who encourage her to continue with physical activities. The family provided an indoor exercise bicycle, smartwatch, and membership to the swimming pool. The family also educated her on the benefits of light exercise to improve mental health, weight loss, and blood pressure management, as well as the complications of obesity and the atrophy of muscles from a sedentary lifestyle. She has great family support that encourages her to modify her lifestyle. However, her social support is limited to the family. She has a few friends, but they have a similar sedentary lifestyle. She might benefit from attending a physical activity program in the community to develop new social support, which will help her change her values and beliefs about health and increase her motivation for lifestyle modification. This new social support system could significantly improve her health journey.
Healthcare providers must thoroughly assess the client's background, social determinants, and social support, identify the barriers to aligning the behavior modification strategies, and personalize the plan to achieve a successful outcome.