Determinants of Health

• Education

  • is the process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits (UNESCO, 2018)
  • it is a basic human right
  • shapes lives as it is the pathway to: lifting people out of poverty, reducing socioeconomic and political inequalities
• Education as a Determinant of Health

  • Having a low educational attainment is linked with poor health paired with more stress and lower self confidence (WHO, 2017)
• Determinants of Health

  1. Education
  2. Water and Sanitation
  3. Housing
  4. Employment
  5. Food Production
  6. Genetics
  7. Gender
• Importance of Education in Health & Development

  • Health Behaviors
  • Income / Resources
  • Stable Employment
  • Adequate Housing
• Health Behaviors

  • Enables individuals to make credible and informed health-related decisions for themselves and their families
  • Equips them with essential skills like literacy and cognitive ability leading them to more accurate health beliefs and knowledge. Resulting to better lifestyle choices
• Income / Resources

  • Placing individuals in a stronger financial position. This enables them to access quality healthcare and other resources essential for maintaining good health (Tulane University, 2021).
• Water & Sanitation

  • It is the most basic himan need for health and well-being
• Water has become scarce in many countries
• Water-borne diseases account for a large population of mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries.
• Common water-borne diseases in PH:

  1. Typhoid
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Cholera
  4. Hepatitis A
• Poor sanitation leads to water contamination is due to sewage and human waste
• 53% of households in the Philippines lack access to a safely managed water supply and 39% lack safe sanitation (according to UN and UNICEF DATA)
• Commodification of water, whereby it is provided for profit rather than as a public service
• Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan (2019-2030)

  • master plan for water supply and sanitation in the Philippines
• Sustainable Development Goal #6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• Employment

  • an occupation by which a person earns a living
  • a formal agreement between an employer and an employee, where an employee offers their skills and time and expertise in exchange for compensation
• Importance of Employment

  • provides substancial benefits to both personal and societal health and affects other social determinants of health
  • affects the development and growth of the country, as such, some companies provide health insurance as a benefit for employees
• Role of Employment in Health and Development:

  Income Stability

  • provides a stable income which allows individuals to afford the basic necessities
• Basic Necesseties:

  1. Food
  2. Water
  3. Shelter
  4. Education
  5. Healthcare
• Role of Employment in Health and Development:

  Access to Healthcare

  • Allows individuals to have access to health insurance benefits, essential healthcare services, preventive care and treatment for illness and injuries
  • Allows access to mental health services in addressing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders
• Common Problems Relating to Employment:

  Work Related Stress

  • Occurs for various reasons. Job demands, working long hours, tight deadlines, etc. can lead to work related stress
  • Chronic disease can happen when there is a constant feeling of being pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.
• Common Problems Relating to Employment:

  Bullying and Harassment

  • can have severe psychological effects on people
  • people would develop mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health related issues
• Common Problems Relating to Employment:

  Occupational Hazards

  • risks that are associated with working in specific conditions
• Types of Hazards:

  1. Chemical Hazards
  2. Biological Hazards
  3. Psychosocial Hazards
  4. Physical Hazards
• Common Problems Relating to Employment:

  Skill Development

  • Offers oppurtunities for skill development and training advancement
  • By acquiring new skills and knowledge, individuals can increase their employability, increase earning potential and their overall quality of life
• Housing

  • refers to the availability, affordability, and stability of living spaces
  • Provides protection, shelter, and privacy to individuals and families
• Poor Housing Conditions:

  1. Molds
  2. Pest Infestation
  3. Poor Location
  4. Overcrowding
• Importance of Safe and Adequate Housing:

  • Impacts an individual's physical health.
  • Reduce the risk of injuries, diseases, and mental stress
  • Provides a sense of security and stability which positivley affects mental health
  • Encourages individuals to participate in activities promoting economic activity
  • Contribute to seveal SDGs
• Sustanable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being
• Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• Genetics

  • the study of heredity and how traits are passed on from one generation to the next via inheritance
• Importance of Genetics

  • Carry information about what makes us unique as individuals, why family members look alike, and why certain diseases run in families
  • Understand how inheritance plays a significant role in determining the lifespan, healthiness, and likelihood of developing certain illnesses
  • Understand how medical conditions come to be and the corresponding appropriate treatments
• Types of Growth Genes:

  • Major Growth Gene - have fundamental effects on human growth, and their mutations cause growth failure (or overgrowth) which are recognizable as single gene disorders
  • Minor Growth Gene - exert relative minor additive effects on human growth, and their combination is involved in the development of short (or tall) stature as a multifactorial trait
• Genetics is often one of the strongest risk factors for common disease complexes such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric illnesses (National Academy of Sciences, 2006).
• Genetic Disorders

  • occur when a mutation (a harmful change to a gene, also known as a pathogenic variant) affects your genes or when you have the wrong amount of genetic material.
• Type of Genetic Disorder:

  Chromosomal

  • This type affects the structures that hold your genes/DNA within each cell (chromosomes).
  • With these conditions, people are missing or have duplicated chromosome material.
• Types of Genetic Disorders:

  Single Gene (Monogenic)

  • This group of conditions occurs from a single gene mutation
• Type of Genetic Disorders:

  Complex (multifactorial)

  • from a combination of gene mutations and other factors such as chemical exposure, diet, certain medications and tobacco or alcohol use.
• Common Genetic Disorders:

  Down Syndrome

  • when the 21st chromosome is copied an extra time in all or some cells.
• Common Genetic Disorder:

  Thalassemia

  • limits the amount of hemoglobin an individual can naturally produce
  • inhibits oxygen flow throughout the body
  • comes with sever anemia