Introduction
Generally, the health status of people is significantly influenced by a number of issues. It is essential for families and healthcare providers to identify the key elements that shape and defines the nature of health. For instance, there are social determinants of health (SDOH) that are critical and unique to each household. Understanding the various SDOHs makes it easier to develop an action plan, including health promotion strategies to enable the potential victims to overcome some of the challenges.
The SDOH Affecting Mr. Mathew’s Family Health Status
By definition, SDOH refers overall status in which individuals are born, work, live, and age. In other words, SDOH encompasses factors such as education, employment, economic status, access to healthcare, physical environment, social support, and the neighborhood. In the case of Mr. Mathew’s family, the above-named SDOH affected their well-being significantly. For instance, the employment aspect whereby both father and mother are working reduces their sleep time, making them have probable health concerns. Similarly, the family lives in a suburban neighborhood that has a teen influence on their daughter, prompting her to engage in smoking (Palmer et al., 2019). The level of education and the household’s economic status allows them to understand the value of a balanced diet. Moreover, access to healthcare is limited as the household tends to use their remedies to prevent health conditions.
The SDOH such as neighborhood is prevalent because it depends on the family’s economic status. Since the household is a mild-class income earner, it is a challenge for them to afford leaving in the city. Similarly, the employment factor is enhanced by the need to create a better life for the family, making the parents spend a considerable amount of time at the workplace. In addition, access to healthcare is directly impacted by the belief of the family whereby they believe in other measures, such as integrating conventional medicine with current treatment.
The Appropriate Age for Screen Each Household Member
It is important for individuals to undertake regular medical check-ups depending on their age bracket to identify possible underlying health risks. Generally, screening tests differ according to the age of the person. Based on Mr. Mathew’s family, the father, who is 52 years old, should take screenings after two years intervals. Some of the key areas to examine include cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and a heart condition. This is because the named screenings are crucial for males above the age of 40. The mother, on the other hand, should take diabetes screening after every three months to ensure her blood sugar level is normal. Other tests should include cervical cancer, dental exams, and pelvic and breast cancer screening after 2 years. Similarly, the age of Mrs. Judith is above 35 years which makes it necessary to undertake such screenings.
The appropriate screenings for Ivan, aged 17 years, include pelvic examination, sexually transmitted diseases, lung condition, blood sugar screening, hypertension, and sexual maturation. Since the girl is smoking, her lung condition should be examined. Similarly, the other daughter Rhoda should undergo the same test at an interval of two years. Most importantly, the parents have some health status that can be genetic; therefore, it is essential for them to test their conditions. In addition, the son, who is seven years old, should have a blood sugar check-up and hypertension to facilitate effective management of the status.
Health Model for Crating Action Plan
The appropriate health model for creating the plan of action for the family should be the ecological model. This theoretical framework focuses on the family context that exists within and beyond the household that influences and shapes the health status of the group (Loewenstein, 2018). It recognizes various aspects that impact health behavior, such as the community, individual, public policy, and interpersonal elements. Therefore, the ecological concept best suits the family because it emphasizes health issues involving the whole household members. The model is appropriate because it encompasses interactions and other physical environmental aspects and the manner in which they affect the overall health condition over time. The model is vital due to its focus on the overall perspective of the family about the illness.
Steps for Family-Centered Health Promotion
Family-centered health promotion is the process of planning, providing, and assessing healthcare services based on a mutual agreement established between the respective household and the healthcare providers. According to the ecological model, several steps are necessary to ensure an effective outcome (Barnes et al., 2020). They include evaluating the wider perspective of the family during the formulation of the promotion criteria. It should encompass developing the importance of household health and involving members to believe in their ability to promote effective healthcare outcomes. To achieve all the mentioned actions, communication should be the core area of focus. Free and open communication allows family members to understand the benefits of having quality health.
Conclusion
Generally, a family health assessment is crucial for determining possible health issues that impact the well-being of the household. The examined family consisted of a father, a mother, two daughters, and a son. Some of the SDOHs that influenced their health include employment, neighborhood, access to healthcare, education, and economic status. Each family member requires regular screening to determine health conditions for better management of the status. Using the ecological model; proper family-centered health promotion plans can be established to ensure the family improves their well-being.
References
Barnes, M. D., Hanson, C. L., Novilla, L. B., Magnusson, B. M., Crandall, A. C., & Bradford, G. (2020). Family-centered health promotion: Perspectives for engaging families and achieving better health outcomes.INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 57. Web.
Loewenstein, K. (2018). Parent psychological distress in the neonatal intensive care unit within the context of the social ecological model: A scoping review.Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 24(6), 495-509. Web.
Palmer, R. C., Ismond, D., Rodriquez, E. J., & Kaufman, J. S. (2019). Social determinants of health: Future directions for health disparities research. American Journal of Public Health, 109(S1), S70-S71. Web.