Public Health and Determinants of Health
Health is a state of well-being and the ability to function in society. It involves more than the absence of disease and is influenced by many different factors, including genetic makeup, environmental conditions, a person’s eating habits and exercise, access to medical care and social support systems. Some of these factors are difficult to change but others, such as a person’s diet and their level of daily physical activity, can have a significant impact on a person’s health.
In recent decades there has been a shift away from viewing health as merely the absence of illness and toward a more holistic approach that includes an individual’s ability to function and feel healthy. This new definition of health was influenced by the growth of the health promotion movement and research into determinants of health. The committee definition allows improvement efforts to focus on not only the reduction of disease, disability and death but also on an individual’s response to or perception of a disease or diagnosis; their functional capacity both now and in the future; and their sense of personal, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Historically, the traditional targets for intervention have been specific diseases and behaviors, and categorical funding streams both in research and the delivery of services encourage this approach. But a broader view of the determinants of health encourages consideration of other targets, such as adolescent well-being. This may include addressing the root causes of unintended pregnancies, drug use and crime by focusing on education, family preservation and the availability of safe spaces for adolescents to interact with their peers without being exposed to illegal activity.
The determinants of health include both the things people can control, such as their behavior and level of daily physical activity, and those they cannot control, such as genetics and adversity in early life. The latter are known as social determinants of health, and they influence a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks, including wide inequalities.
For example, poor access to healthy foods increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Other social determinants of health, such as housing quality and neighbourhood safety, can increase or decrease an individual’s life expectancy. This is why it is important for public health to address these issues and to provide support to those who need it. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, which means activities that speed up your heart rate and breathing, such as brisk walking or dancing. Start small and work your way up to this target over time. This is an easy, affordable and enjoyable way to improve your health.
Health is a state of well-being and the ability to function in society. It involves more than the absence of disease and is influenced by many different factors, including genetic makeup, environmental conditions, a person’s eating habits and exercise, access to medical care and social support systems. Some of these factors are difficult to change but others, such as a person’s diet and their level of daily physical activity, can have a significant impact on a person’s health. In recent decades there has been a shift away from viewing health as merely the absence of illness and toward a more holistic approach that includes an individual’s ability to function and feel healthy. This new definition of health was influenced by the growth of the health promotion movement and research into determinants of health. The committee definition allows improvement efforts to focus on not only the reduction of disease, disability and death but also on an individual’s response to or perception of a disease or diagnosis; their functional capacity both now and in the future; and their sense of personal, emotional and spiritual well-being. Historically, the traditional targets for intervention have been specific diseases and behaviors, and categorical funding streams both in research and the delivery of services encourage this approach. But a broader view of the determinants of health encourages consideration of other targets, such as adolescent well-being. This may include addressing the root causes of unintended pregnancies, drug use and crime by focusing on education, family preservation and the availability of safe spaces for adolescents to interact with their peers without being exposed to illegal activity. The determinants of health include both the things people can control, such as their behavior and level of daily physical activity, and those they cannot control, such as genetics and adversity in early life. The latter are known as social determinants of health, and they influence a wide range of health, functioning and quality-of-life outcomes and risks, including wide inequalities. For example, poor access to healthy foods increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Other social determinants of health, such as housing quality and neighbourhood safety, can increase or decrease an individual’s life expectancy. This is why it is important for public health to address these issues and to provide support to those who need it. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, which means activities that speed up your heart rate and breathing, such as brisk walking or dancing. Start small and work your way up to this target over time. This is an easy, affordable and enjoyable way to improve your health.