Introduction
Healthcare is a complex system that practically every person has had to encounter at a certain point in their life. However, there are several differences in how various people perceive and receive healthcare. These differences rely on determinants of health which are genetic makeup, socioeconomic status, education, income, occupation, and race. Through the evaluation of determinants of health, it is possible to achieve equal healthcare provision among every stratum of people.
Determinants of Health Comparison
The determinants of health vary in how they influence a person’s health; however, it does not mean that they exist in a vacuum. Each of these factors has the power to affect other determinants; for example, people with a genetic predisposition to depression may struggle with obtaining fruitful occupations. Another influence of genetics is increasing risks of other diseases; for example, people with blood disorders are at a bigger risk of contracting HIV (Liamputtong, 2019). On the contrary, people with a positive genetic makeup (healthy parents, difficulties-free pregnancy) may run lower risks.
Socioeconomic status is closely linked with education, occupation, income, and sometimes race. People with low socioeconomic status are more likely to be treated at poor-quality healthcare facilities and may not afford all the necessary medication (Liamputtong, 2019). A low socioeconomic status stems from unemployment or low income, which occurs due to a lack of education. Lack of occupation can also be racially charged, as in instances when people are refused employment based on their race or ethnicity. Statistics show that healthcare varies heavily based on race; for example, black women are affected by maternal morbidity at much higher rates than others (Crear-Perry et al., 2021). Education in health and the environment plays a big role in establishing one’s health as being unaware of environmental risks can pose serious dangers to a person’s well-being (Liamputtong, 2019). The interconnected nature of these factors shows that determinants of health must be considered as a whole unit to bring change to the healthcare system.
Determinants of Health and Decision-Making in Healthcare
Having evaluated the determinants of health, it is possible to state how healthcare administrators can use this information to make improvements in the healthcare system. An example of data utilization in support of such decision-making is the guidance provided due to research made regarding scarce resources during the Covid-19 pandemic in the US. As a result of this study, it has been established that institutional racism was the root of the inadequate distribution of healthcare supplies. The article also pointed out that race influenced the matters of hospitalization and treatment in the crisis standards of care (Galarneau & Yearby, 2021). The fact that racial connotations are evident as negative agents even in times of crisis indicates that administrative forces need to focus more on the issue of race in healthcare.
Along with race, other socioeconomic factors such as education, income, status, and occupation can be analyzed and searched for possible benefits. As has been mentioned above, low socioeconomic status leads to hindrances in receiving proper healthcare. Therefore, healthcare administrator can use their awareness of these hindrances to their advantage and employ less monetary-dependent strategies. In addition, the relationship between genetic makeup and occurring diseases should be researched continuously as new ailments appear and change human health formation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, determinants of health represent a compound and interconnected system that consists of genetic makeup, socioeconomic status, level of education, income, occupation status, and race. Using data obtained through research on each of these factors, a health administrator can decide which strategies they should employ for treatment and medication. Given the persistent and detrimental effect that racism has on the healthcare system, this issue should be the most urgent in research.
References
Crear-Perry, J., Correa-de-Araujo, R., Lewis Johnson, T., McLemore, M. R., Neilson, E., & Wallace, M. (2021). Social and structural determinants of health inequities in maternal health. Journal of Women’s Health, 30(2), 230–235.
Liamputtong, P. (2019). Health, illness and well-being: An introduction to social determinants of health. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Social Determinants of Health, (pp. 1–28). Oxford University Press.
Galarneau, C. & Yearby, R. (2021). Racism, health equity, and crisis standards of care in the COVID-19 pandemic. Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law and Policy, 14(2), 211–250.