Socioeconomic Influences on Health
1.1 The Effects of Socio Economic Influences on Health
There are a myriad of factors that have significant influence on the health of individuals, ranging from those beyond an individual’s control, such as genetic make-up, to those that are within one’s control, such as the choices people make on health related habits adopted, including smoking, drinking, and exercising (Sian, Sheila & Jane 2009, 2). A recent report by World health Organization places socio economic factors, as opposed to genetics as majority of people tend to believe, to be the most important determinant of health and general life expectancy across the world (WHO, 2009, 3). Some of the socio economic factors that influence our health include level of income, level of education, employment status, individual’s socio economic group, living conditions and housing conditions, health related behaviors and ease to accessing of medical services.
Individuals earning low income cannot access quality medical services than their high-income counterpart. Again, poor individuals cannot afford better nutritious foods and a balanced diet, and so are susceptible to nutritional related diseases. Unemployment and lack of financial security are also likely to lead to stress and hypertension, hence compromising on the individual’s health status (Shen, Wildman & Steele 2013, 485). For example, data from the office of nation statistics in 2009, indicate that in England, those dwelling in the poorest areas have a life span seven years lower that those living in affluent areas of England (Office for National Statistics 2009, 22). Research also indicates that poor people are more likely to indulge in alcohol, smoking and being inactive, behaviors, which are an impediment to healthy living. People who have attained higher levels of education such as graduates are likely to obtain better jobs and professional careers, which is associated with easy access to better healthcare services. Individuals with low education will have difficulties obtaining better jobs, which makes it difficult for them to access better healthcare services. Less educated individuals are also likely to suffer from occupationally related diseases (Siren, Eriksson, Peltonen&Vanhanen 2014, 2). Less educated individuals are more likely to provide unskilled labor, increasing their likelihood of suffering from cancer, than other professionals (Hall and Valente 2007, 56). Housing conditions also impact on individual’s health immensely. Poor heating in houses, unhygienic environments, lack of social support are associated with health issues such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and psychological problems such as depression and low self-esteem.
1.2 Relevance of Government sources in Reporting on in equalities in Health
Health inequalities refer to differences in terms of health status that various individuals in the population experience. Various factors cause inequalities such as genetic factors, but the most common and avoidable causes of such inequalities include ease of access to health services, income differentials, and unemployment. In the United Kingdom, the government relies on several reports and statistics as sources from where it reports and makes recommendations on health inequalities The Kingdom has diverse social classes and regional disparities that bring about differences in life expectancies, as a result of unequal health (Marmot, M. 2010, 14). Among the government sources of health inequalities, include the black report of the year 1980, the Acheson report that was published in 1998, national census data, surveys conducted regarding individuals’ health and life styles, and the Marmot report conducted in 2010. These statistics have been very instrumental in reporting on the inequalities in the health sector and providing the government with information relevant in addressing and formulating policies and programs necessary in reforming the health sector (Marmot 2010, 9). The 1997Acheson report for example, which was headed by Sir Donald Acheson, made an independent inquiries and recommendations for the government’s adoption. The report had relevant information from which the government was to make some improvements, such as it recommended that the government should address income inequalities, carefully weigh policies likely to have heavy impact on healthcare before adopting them, adopt measures that would lower the poverty rate, especially among women of child bearing age, and putting into place suitable policies that would lower the health inequalities such as breast feeding and nutrition related policies. These sources are thus relevant to the government especially in policy formulation.
1.3 Reasons for barriers to accessing healthcare
Health services should be among the easiest thing to access because of the vital implication it bear on an individual’s survival, yet numerous barriers to accessing fast and efficient healthcare exist, preventing smooth provision of healthcare services (WHO 2009, 5). The barriers are wide ranging and include financial barriers, ignorance, social barriers, language barriers, personal barriers, and sometimes political barriers. The cost and financial implications of health care can be a barrier, especially among poorer individual who cannot afford the cost of healthcare. This bars most poor people from accessing healthcare. Cultural barriers such as some cultures discouraging individuals from seeking certain kinds of treatment, and only accepting treatment from certain institutions, and social barriers which involve negative influence from peers. Ignorance, lack of right information, and low education levels may also be barriers to accessing health services. Individual may not have the right information on how and where to seek certain health services. Despite the majority of the people speaking English, language can be a barrier especially to immigrant groups, asylum, and seeker (Loewenthal, Mohamed, Mukhopadhyay, Ganesh& Thomas 2012, 54). Disability, especially those unable to speak, the blind and physically challenged individuals may have difficulties accessing health services. Unemployment can also cause a barrier, since most unemployed individuals are unlikely to possess an insurance cover. Administrative barrier may result from stringent hospital policies, which may at times be unrealistic, such as policies regarding authorization to some treatments or prescriptions. Barriers to accessing healthcare need to be identified and eradicated using appropriate intervention methods to make everyone have easy access to health care regardless of socioeconomic status, age, gender, race or ethnic background.
Models of Health Promotion
2.1 The links between Government Strategies and Models of Health Promotion
Governments across the world have the responsibility of providing better and efficient healthcare services to its citizens. The world Health Organization in the Ottawa charter report emphasizes the need for governments to invest heavily in the health sector because health is one of the fundamental human rights (WHO, 2009, 44). This has seen increased participation of the UK government in developing public policies positively impacting on health and health promotion, with the goal of improving the health status of its citizens. Health promotion, according to the Ottawa charter, refers to the process of empowering people so as to enable them exercise full control over their health in order that they may live a healthier life (WHO, 2009, 45). The main goal of health promotion is to bring about equity in healthcare and achieve good health for the people. Other goals of government’s conduction of health promotion is to reorient the nation’s health sector, identify the health gaps that need to be addressed, proving strength to communities on matters concerning health and building a strong support in the health sector. Various health promotion models have been developed including; health belief models, natural helper models, Trans-theoretical model also known as stages of change and process of change, theory of planned behavior, information motivation behavioral skills models among other models. Each these theories are based or certain theoretical assumption and key concepts (Rowan Frost, Ches, & Zuckerman 2008, 2). The widely applied model in educating on health related issues and promoting health is the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Jone&Barlette 2006, 31). This model is based on the assumption that individual beliefs play a great role in influencing health habits. Government’s strategies in health promotions are in most cases based on the theoretical models that have just been mentioned. This is because the health promotion strategy adopted should take into consideration the influences of environment, cultures, social, economic and even political considerations (Jonnes et al 20006, 32). In the United Kingdom, the government has over the past year adopted such strategies as ‘change for life’ and ‘choosing health’ (Department of Health 2010, 1). These strategies rely on the assumptions of the health models such as people usually make personal efforts in changing their habits, or people can be motivated by fear to alter their ways. The government thus adopted social marketing strategy for example, which is related to behavior change models, as an appropriate tool in health promotion because it aimed at altering individual habits to adoption of healthy habits.
Having known that various health models are based on certain assumptions and different outcomes, in my roles as a cigarette cessation officer, I would use the health belief model in helping smoker quit smoking. As mentioned above, this model is based on the assumption that individual will try all ways to in avoiding habits threatening their health, and that they will alter their risky behaviors if they are made to believe that they are more likely to benefit that to loose, should they change their ways. Since the theory also relies on the use of cues to action, which are actions reasons that can influence people turn to healthy living, I would provide my patients with statistics regarding lung cancer, and watch several videos about the effects of smoking in the lungs (Jonne&Barlette, 33)
2.2 Roles of Health professionals in meeting Government targets for Health Promotion
The health promotions initiated by the government is usually carried out to achieve a specific health target. For example, ‘healthy lives healthy people’ and ‘fair society healthy lives’ both in 2010, and the ‘choosing health’ strategies and different targets. Choosing health was, for example, targeted to reduce the rates of obesity in England and promote healthy living through good diets and regular exercise (Hubley&Cupeman 2013, 16). Other key health professionals having different roles to play in health promotion include nurses, doctors, general practitioners, dieticians, language therapists among many other health professionals (Hubley&Cupeman 2013, 11). Regardless of their area of specialty, health professionals contribute in health promotion in the UK as per the Ottawa report recommendations. Dieticians for example, have a role of work in liaison with communities to improve nutrition and reduce nutrition related diseases and most importantly maintain healthy weight, they may also engage in promoting exercise lessons in an effort to meeting government target of lowering rates of obesity and encouraging healthy living. General practitioners may promote lessons on how to smoking among the community or initiate antismoking campaigns. Health professionals, in facilitating healthier living among communities, may, for instance, initiate such programs that help combat health issues that the government is targeting to combat such as initiating anti-alcohol and drug campaigns to help those who are addicted to them and conduct education on safe sex practices.
In my role as a smoking cessation officer, my role in the reduction of the number of people smoking would include helping the smoker identify the possible risks and life threats involved with smoking. This I would do through the use of various national statistics concerning lung cancer. If the user realizes the risks involved, they are likely to be more determined to quit would also initiate a clinic support group and inform the public about through poster advertising in order to capture those who are trying to quit smoking. I would also design programs where those in need to quit smoking would be having session also form a support group and design a health model that would help the smokers change their behavior and adopt health friendly behaviors. I will also provide efficacy programs, where I would train the smoker on the beneficial and right uses of nicotine. The aim of this campaign would be to reduce the number of individuals addicted to smoking quit, in line with the government’s target of lowering the number of people smoking. If less people attend the practice to seek help, it would be a positive indication that they are in control of their health habit and possibly no longer need cessation lessons.
2.3 Role of Routines on Promoting Healthy Living
Routines play an important contribution in our general psychological and physical wellbeing. Routine refers to health practices that we should undertake at regularly such as regular meals, sleeping time, regular exercise, waking up time among numerous others. Engaging in and developing a healthy routine that matches with our bodily needs is very useful healthy. For example going to bed and waking up at regular time is important in refreshing and relaxing our body and minds (Petty, Barden & Wheeler 2008, 72). Our bodies also need regular supply of balanced diets in order to keep the brain well-functioning. Other healthy practices such as regularly drinking water, taking fruits, meditation and engaging in sports are equally important routines with health benefits.
Factors which Influence Health Promotion
3.1 Explain How Health Beliefs Relate to Theories of Health behaviors
Most individuals hold health beliefs that they apply to provide an explanation as to why they are sick, or the kind of treatment that they should seek and find acceptable. These beliefs will affect an individual’s perception concerning health and such perceptions are usually based on some deep rooted knowledge. The lay health beliefs individuals hold have an impact on how they may view public health campaigns, and sometimes this stands on the way to achieving desirable health behavioral changes. Various perceptions as a result of beliefs make individuals think in certain ways, such as viewing health as a functional capacity, as an emotional wellbeing, as a candidacy notion, or a reflection of life style(Petty et at 2008 , 72). Locus of control such as internal or external also influence perception about health, for example, those with internal locus of control believe that they have direct control of their health and so such individuals are likely to take good care of themselves to reduce infections. Those with external locus of control believe being healthy is a matter of luck and tend to do little to maintain good health. Individuals who believe that they are in full control of their health, are likely to cease addictive and dangerous health behaviors such as alcoholism than those who believe that they have no control of their health, or that being healthy is purely a matter of chance. The health belief model implies that an individual’s beliefs such as degree of perception of seriousness of a certain risky habit, will determine their behavior outcome (Petty et at 2008, 87).That is to say if an individual perceives eating junk food to have little or no risk, they are likely to engage in the unhealthy behaviors of eating too much junk.
The persistence of smoking is partly attributed to health beliefs that individuals hold. With its dire effects such as probability of causing lung cancer and other complications, still this has not threatened persistent smokers to quit. Perceived barriers for example might prevent one from quitting smoking if the person believes that he or she may not be able to adopt new cigarette free life style. In England, the statistics concerning cigarette smoking has dwindled since 1960, but the population of smoker is still astounding 8million (National Statistics 2009, 4). Smoking is the major cause of early deaths in England, despite government’s campaigns to counter the consumption of tobacco. How to stop consumption of tobacco is largely dependent on the user’s beliefs and perceptions about its potential health risks and the willingness of the user to quit. There are various techniques that can be used in smoking cessation such as avoiding company of smokers, having the determination to quit, to more formalized techniques such as modification of one behavior, exercising high self-control, and attending counseling sessions. The most effective techniques on smoking cessation include those that focus on behavior and cognitive processes of an individual (Petty et al 2008, 71)
3.2 Possible effects of Potential Conflict with Local Industry on Health Promotion
Health promotion campaigns have at time not gone down well with the local industry. This usually brings about conflicts, especially on policies adopted by the government, which are usually unwelcome by affected local industries such as tobacco industry, alcohol suppliers and manufacturer of junk food, due to financial implication. Conflicts also usually exist when the central government imposes policies that hurt local industry. For example, the government may increase tax to discourage consumption, but the local industry, sometimes plus the local government may feel deprived of their income. This has seen the affected industry still making adverts of tobacco for example, despite being against government policy in the UK (WHO 2009, 34).
3.3 Importance of Providing Relevant Health related Information to the Public
Public health information has become increasingly important among the population because of the current health dynamics. In order to promote a healthy nation, the government provides and shares with the public relevant health related information likely to influence their health. The main goal of public health information is to increase the health awareness (Rowan et al 2009, 3). Other importance of such information include, addressing the needs of the general population as opposed to addressing the needs of individuals, its focus is on providing prevention of diseases from affecting the population as opposed to treating the disease. It is also an integral part of a fully functioning healthcare system, which is vital for general population. Public health information is also responsible for people to remain productive and healthy, especially through health promotion campaigns, such heath activities such as vaccinations, providing counseling services and conducting health surveillance to manage infectious diseases threatening public health.
Planning Health Promotion Campaign
4.1 Planning a health promotion campaign to meet specific objectives
Planning is an essential part when initiating a health promotion campaign. A health promotion campaign is a strategy that is intended to raise public awareness about a certain health issue. Examples of health promotion campaign include, breast awareness campaign, weight awareness, stopping smoking, shunning obesity among many other campaigns. Planning involves making a series of carefully thought out decisions, identifying several priority areas and formulating how your plan will be implemented. Planning a health campaign on stopping of smoking involves a series of steps:
Identify the objective of your campaign and what you intend to achieve. The objectives should be SMART, that is, simple, measurable, attainable, relevant, and must have a time frame.
For example, in the campaign to stop smoking, the objectives could include;
To raise public awareness about the health risks associated with smoking.
To reduce the rate of smokers in England
To promote safer health practices
To increase life expectancy.
Identify the stakeholders that need to be involved in the campaigned since their participation is vital.
These could include general practitioners, nurses, doctors, media houses, relevant health and government department. Consider involving the targeted community itself, in this case the smokers, to gain meaningful participation. Remember to worth together with the participants, as opposed to working on their behalf.
3. Consider the time that will be adequate for your campaign. In achieving an appropriate approximation, consider the influences such as political influence
4. Consider the cost that are anticipated and resources that may be needed. Effective planning involves drawing a budget in advance to meet the costs, finding out what materials are available for the campaign, and needs to be acquired for the campaign to run successfully.
5. Carefully conduct data gathering using appropriate methods. Collection of data entails having a wider view and perspectives on health. Put in to use the role of theories of models of health promotion. The appropriate one for anti-smoking campaign is the health Believe Model because it approaches is based or relevant construct smoke cessation. Collect as much data as possible regarding cigarette and tobacco, statistics and cases of those suffering from lung cancer.
4.2 Explain how the health promotion campaign supports health promotion strategies
Health promotion campaigns are useful in helping achieving government targets, such reduction of number of smoker, reducing infant mortality rates, promoting breast feeding among other targets. This is because the campaigns are conducted after an assessment need has been conducted. They also create an enabling environment that is supportive to the entire healthcare of the nation, hence promoting public health status (WHO 2009, 17). They also help in the reduction of health inequalities, since the held needs identified by the government and other statistics are addressed by the health campaigns. The campaigns help in addressing the health beliefs and socio cultural practices that influence on health.