Physical Environment and Genetic
Physical Environment:
Safe water and clean air, healthy workplace, safe houses, communication and roads all contribute to good health. The choice of the location of one’s living and work place is determined by the socio-economic and educational background of the individual. There is thus inter-dependency among these broad factors also.
Genetics:
Hereditary factors inherited genetically play an important role in determining the quality of life vis-à-vis the health status and the likelihood of developing certain diseases. Personal behaviour and coping skills (which depends on factors like balanced diet, keeping oneself clean and active, keeping oneself away from habits like smoking/drinking, etc.) are important determinants of the health status of individuals.
It follows from the above that while the context of people’s lives are largely responsible for their health status, individuals would have little direct control over the factors influencing them. The governments and institutions play an important contributory role in promoting the health of the people and the society. At a macro level, factors like the level of economic development, opportunities for earning income and wealth, policies pursued for alleviating poverty and promotion of social sector institutions, etc., contribute to determining the health status of a community.The present unit focuses on discussing some of these related aspects which determine the health status of the people in a country.
Education/Gender:
Low education levels are linked with poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence. Men and women suffer from different types of diseases, specific to their biological and other factors, at different ages.