Education is a critical determinant of health since it builds people’s knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes about health. Comprehending the significance of mental, physical, emotional, and social well-being inspires many individuals to maintain and improve their health status, thus reducing risky behaviors and preventing disease. More recent research has shown that populations with education have longer lifespans and better health. The link between education and health is complex and is mainly related to income and opportunities present to lead healthy lives. In today’s economy, better jobs are mostly given to applicants with better education. Most of these jobs come with health-promoting advantages such as health insurance, retirement, and leaves. In contrast, those with worse education are more likely to work in unsafe businesses with few benefits.
Higher pay makes it possible for families to acquire resources that enhance good health. It becomes easier for them to follow a healthy diet, have time to exercise frequently, and afford health services and transport (Nagovitsyn & Nazarova, 2018). Unemployment and low-standard jobs resulting from worse education lead to low wages, thus poor nutrition, unmet medical needs, and unstable housing. Living in rural and low-income areas that suffer from the shortage of health care providers and facilities exposes people to more problems.
These areas may also have higher crime rates, increasing the risk of trauma and deaths from violence. In addition, there may be exposure to high amounts of toxins associated with air and water contamination, hazardous waste from factories, and pesticides. Such families are more vulnerable during hard times due to the social and economic difficulties that increase stress (Kolbe, 2019). They have low self-esteem due to a lack of social support and control over various life aspects.
Learning opportunities in and out of school foster certain traits that are crucial to health. These include conscientiousness, a sense of personal control, flexibility, and the capacity to guide relationships. Such skills assist in dealing with numerous life obstacles, from work to family life (Kolbe, 2019). Moreover, educated individuals have greater social connections, which make accessibility to economic, emotional, and psychological resources much easier. The stability created reduces hardship and, in turn, stress, thus improving health.
The conditions in which a person is raised beginning from early childhood can also affect the relationship between health and education. When infants and toddlers are chronically exposed to stressors, their brain development may be affected. This may deprive them of succeeding in school activities due to poor performance that sets them back in education. It becomes difficult for them to interact with others, and they may be drawn to detrimental practices such as drug abuse and overeating. The child’s immune system may also be affected, triggering biological alterations that elevate the likelihood of various diseases such as cardiovascular conditions later in life.
A person’s years of education can predict their future health behaviors and outcomes. People with more education tend to be more prepared for better jobs and can quickly learn about healthy behaviors (Nagovitsyn & Nazarova, 2018). In the case of educated patients, they can effectively familiarize themselves with their health needs, follow physicians’ instructions, advocate for themselves and their kin, and communicate effectively with their health providers. In this way, they can live healthier lives and create a higher chance for their future generations to thrive. Conclusively, a healthy person can enjoy life fully and be productive by avoiding unhealthy habits. Health education is vital for all populations in raising awareness about living a healthy lifestyle.
References
Kolbe, L. (2019). School health as a strategy to improve both public health and education. Annual Review of Public Health. 40, 443-463.
Nagovitsyn, R. & Nazarova, Y. (2018). The realization of health-saving education in the pedagogical university. European Journal of Contemporary Education. (1), 137-149.