Health is considered to be an essential concept in every human being’s life. However, there are specific factors that influence the kind of health that we have. Such factors are described as the determinants of health. Determinants of health are generally described as the social, economic, and even environmental factors which in one way or the other, have a link to the health of a person. An example of a determinant of the health of health is individual behaviour. Individual behaviour influences health a great deal (Mialon, 2020). A good example of individual behaviour is smoking or practising hygiene.
Smoking has a direct impact on health because it is known to cause various illnesses, some of which include liver cirrhosis. Practising hygiene reduces the risk of getting various illnesses, thereby having some kind of impact on the health of a person (Marmot, 2017). So far, I have gotten the chance to experience various ways through which determinants of health can determine the wellbeing of a person. A good example is when people get to understand the determinants of health and seek ways of preserving their health. A person practising good hygiene will be different from one who does not practice hygiene.
Therefore, there will be a major difference in some of the actions undertaken by a person who is sensitive regarding hygiene. The United States is among the leading countries that focus on preserving health, and one of the ways is through the use of health policies. Health policies assist the majority of the population as they assist in differentiating and indicating some of the practices that preserve health while discouraging those that don’t. A good example of such a health policy is the smoke-free laws that are practised in some states. Determinants of health assist in providing direction to both the health provider and the patient.
References
Marmot, M. (2017). The health gap: Doctors and the social determinants of health. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 45(7), 686–693.
Mialon, M. (2020). An overview of the commercial determinants of health. Globalization and Health, 16(1).
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