Health & Social

• Physical impact of Culture and ethnicity

  • Belonging to a particular ethnic group can link with an increased risk of suffering from a particular diseases
  • Asian men are more at risk of angina and heart attack than other men
  • Irish people drink more than other group so are more likely to suffer from alcohol related illness
  • Ethnic minorities may find it difficult to access health services due to language barrier so may have poorer health
  • Some aspects of culture have a positive impact, e.g. some cultures do not drink alcohol, some eat very healthy diets
• Emotional impact of Culture and ethnicity

  • Negative: Feelings of being different may result in low self-esteem/lack of confidence/being bullied
  • Could suffer from Racism which could damage self-esteem and confidence
  • Due to a language barrier a person could become isolated which could lead to depression
  • Positive: Pride and happiness within own culture
  • Sense of belonging, safe and security within the culture
  • Strong bond within culture who support each other – improves confidence and self-esteem
• Social impact of culture and ethnicity

  • Negative: May find it difficult to make friendship and socialise due to a language barrier
  • Girls may not be allowed to go out on their own which may limit social interactions
  • Cultural group may be small and live far away and missing out on events
  • Social isolation due to not fitting in
  • Positive: Lots of events and community festivals, celebrations within the culture
  • Strong religious culture and church provide lots of social events
  • Sports may play a big part of the culture which will help to build relationships and
• Income


  The money people receive from their work, savings, pension, investments or money from benefits provided by the government
• Impact of Income on physical health and well-being

  • High income- able to purchase private health care therefore illnesses can be detected and treated much quicker
  • Able to purchase complementary therapies, health promoting products and gym membership
  • Able to purchase healthy foods/eat a healthy balanced diet leading to good physical health reducing the risk of illness
  • Able to afford to eat out, get take-aways or buy alcohol which may lead to health issues
  • Able to afford heating for home which reduces the risk of respiratory illness
• Impact of high income on Emotional Health and Well-being

  • Sense of pride/achievement that they have a good income
  • No financial worries which results in less stress
  • High self-esteem/positive self concept
  • Sense of independence-not depending on benefits or assistance from others
  • Feelings of security
• Impact of high income on Social Health and Well-being


  • Able to afford to go on holidays and trips which will provide opportunities to meet new people
  • Able to afford to go out socialising with friends which will maintain friendships and allow opportunities to make new friendships
  • Able to afford to do hobbies which will provide opportunities to make new friendships
• Impact of low income on physical Health and Well-being

  • May not be able to afford a better diet and live in better conditions so are more likely to get ill
  • May have more stresses linked to their low income which makes them more prone to illness
  • May not be able to afford transport to attend GP/Hospital appointments and check-ups
• Impact of low income on Emotional Health and Well-being

  • May have low self-esteem because they do not feel as successful as those on higher incomes
  • Stress and worry caused by lack of money
  • May feel guilty that they can not provide for their family
• Impact of low income on Social Health and Well-being

  • May not be able to afford to socialise and go out with friends/family
  • May not be able to afford to take part in leisure activities, e.g. joining a gym, child taking swimming lessons
  • May suffer a breakdown in relationships due to money worries
• Employment/unemployment


  • Having a job can have physical, intellectual, emotional and social benefits. A job provides an income. Some jobs involve some physical activity. Learning new tasks provides intellectual stimulation. What someone does for a living has an emotional aspect as it is an important part of their self-concept. There may be social contacts with workmates.
  • Someone who is unemployed does not have these things and looks for other ways of getting them. This could be through hobbies or voluntary work. Unemployment can affect a person by lowering their self-esteem and they may feel socially isolated.
• Impact of employment and unemployment of physical health and well being

  • Employment: Can afford healthy lifestyles, gym membership and good food choices. However, may not have time for exercise/leisure time. May have an active job that promotes physical health. May have a sedentary job and they get very little physical activity
  • Unemployment: Person cannot afford expensive sporting/leisure activities and not afford fruit and healthy options. Lack of income may mean that you are unable to pay for certain activities to improve physical health, e.g. joining a gym. More time to cook and exercise.
• Impact of employment and unemployment of Emotional health and well being

  • Employment: Enjoyment, enjoys work feeling of doing something worthwhile. Sense of achievement, could be providing a service e.g. nurse. Feels good in work, gets praise, positive feedback and encouragement, opportunities to progress and promotion. Sense of job satisfaction. Increased confidence
  • Unemployment: Feels unhappy and down that they are not doing something worthwhile. Feels useless and depressed. Stressful, worries about money and how they can cope. May be stressed-looking and for a job and feeling rejection. May feel worthless. Low self-esteem. May feel guilty if they can not provide for their family
• Impact of employment and unemployment of Social health and well being

  • Employment: Work provides lots of opportunities to meet new friends. Chance to travel for work. Opportunity to meet new people and development relationships. May work long hours which may impact their ability to socialise. Earn money to take part in social activities, e.g. going out with friends.
  • Unemployment: Does not have opportunities to make friends through work. Leads to becoming withdrawn and social isolation. May have more free time to take part in leisure activities and may meet new people. May not have the money to take part in leisure activities. Relationships may break due to the stress of being unemployed
• Housing conditions- physical impacts


  • Good housing: Well maintained home reduces chance of colds, respiratory disease. Reduced risk of accidents so less likely to get an injury. Lots of space to play and garden to have play football etc. A house with a garden gives space to play which promotes physical development and reduces the risk of obesity. Lots of amenities in the area – a park with space.
  • Poor housing: Risk of accidents and injuries if house is poorly maintained. Lack of opportunities for physical play if there is no garden. More prone to injury and infection if house is cold, draughty, hygiene is poor or overcrowding, more prone to illnesses such as asthma, meningitis, infections and respiratory diseases. Houses that have damp, condensation and mould growth can lead to asthma, bronchitis and arthritis
• Housing conditions- emotional impacts

  • Good housing: Positive feelings of pride and comfort in their own home. Feel happy with their own space/bedroom and relaxed.
  • Poor housing: Anxiety/worry/insecurity which can lead to depression. Feelings of shame and inadequacy if friends have better living conditions. Lack of privacy/personal space leading to stress, poor self-esteem/lack of confidence, may experience bullying.
• Housing conditions- Social impacts

  • Good housing: Lots of opportunities to invite friends over, comfortable to invite friends and be proud to share their toys, play equipment or if an adult – invite friends for dinner. Extends social circle.
  • Poor housing: May experience difficulty forming/maintaining friendships, lack of opportunities to invite friends over to their home due to poor conditions may be stigmatised/left out and isolated by peers. Leads to poor social skills, e.g. sharing, co-operation, due to isolation.
• Chronic illness or disease

  • Type II diabetes
  • Osteoporosis
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Dementia
  • Asthma
• Genetically inherited conditions


  • Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
  • Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic Illness


  • Long-lasting illness
  • Constantly recurring
  • Develops slowly
  • Cannot be prevented by vaccination
  • Cannot be cured by medication (but may be treated)
  • Does not disappear
• Type two Diabetes


  • The physical impact of the illness
  • The emotional impact of the illness
  • The social impact of the illness
• Physical impact of type 2 diabetes

  • Increased thirst
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Tingling or pain in the hands, feet and/or legs
  • Increased risk of high blood pressure
  • Increased risk of heart disease
  • Increased risk of stroke
  • Increased risk of kidney damage
  • Eyesight problems
  • Need to track blood sugar before, during and after physical activity
  • Regular medical checkups
  • Carefully monitor food and drink intake
• Emotional Impact of Type 2 Diabetes

  • Disbelief, feeling overwhelmed, even anger after diagnosis
  • Fear for the future
  • Self blame
  • Anxious about monitoring and managing their diabetes
  • Worried about doing something wrong that will cause problems with their blood sugar
  • Stress in learning new lifestyle changes
  • Could lead to depression
  • Distressed, including feeling frustrated, guilty, sad or worried
  • Frightened of taking part in usual activities
  • Develop a positive attitude and be determined
  • Feel loved and cared for if family and friends support them
• Social Impact of Type 2 Diabetes

  • Unable to take part in social activities with friends
  • Less contact with friends
  • Form friendships with others with similar condition
  • May have to give up hobbies/clubs
  • May have to change social activities to suit their condition
  • Chronic disease can have a positive impact as family and friends 'rally round'
• Osteoporosis


  • The physical impact of the illness
  • The emotional impact of the illness
  • The social impact of the illness
• Physical impacts of Osteoporosis


  • Chronic and severe pain in bones and muscles
  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Bones become more porous/less dense and fragile, increasing fracture risk
  • May fracture bones as disease progresses
  • Mobility may be reduced
  • May experience unpleasant side effects of treatments
  • May become disabled in the long term
• Emotional impact of Osteoporosis

  • Worried about future deterioration
  • Fear losing independence
  • Self-esteem and confidence may lower
  • May feel lonely due to lack of mobility
  • May feel like a burden if family have to look after them
  • Stress due to pain and fatigue may lead to depression
  • Develop a positive attitude
  • Feel loved and cared for if family and friends support them
• Social impact of Osteoporosis

  • Unable to take part in social activities with friends
  • Less contact with friends
  • May have to give up hobbies/clubs
  • May have to change social activities to suit their condition
  • May take up low intensity exercise and activities
  • Chronic disease can have a positive impact as family and friends 'rally round'
• Effect on Molly's physical health


  • May experience chronic and severe pain in bones and muscles
  • May experience tiredness and fatigue
  • Bones will become more porous/less dense and fragile, increasing fracture risk
  • May fracture bones as disease progresses, reducing mobility
  • May experience unpleasant side effects of treatments
  • May become disabled in the long term
• Effect on Molly's emotional health and well-being

  • May be worried about future deterioration
  • May fear losing independence
  • Self-esteem and confidence may lower
  • May be frightened of taking part in usual activities
  • Stress due to pain and fatigue may lead to depression
  • May develop a positive attitude
  • May feel loved and cared for if family and friends support her
  • May feel lonely due to lack of mobility
  • May feel like a burden if family have to look after her
• Heart Disease


  • The physical impact of the illness
  • The emotional impact of the illness
  • The social impact of the illness
• Physical impact of heart disease

  • Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death
  • Coronary arteries become blocked with fatty deposits
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Heart attacks
  • Heart Failure
  • Other symptoms like palpitations and breathlessness
  • Difficulty taking part in physical activity and exercise
  • Need to change diet and lifestyle
• Emotional impact of heart disease

  • May feel lucky to be alive and want to make changes
  • May feel uncertain about the future and anxious
  • May be less confident, embarrassed or frustrated
  • May feel guilty about past behaviours
• Social Impact of heart disease

  • Lower self confidence and self esteem may lead to less socialising
  • May not be able to take part in usual activities and hobbies
  • May meet people with similar conditions
  • May build positive relationships with health professionals and carers
• Dementia


  • The physical impact of the illness
  • The emotional impact of the illness
  • The social impact of the illness
• Physical impact of Dementia


  • Jerky movements making daily tasks difficult
  • Picky about food types
  • May forget how to use utensils, chew or swallow
  • Risk of dehydration
  • May lose bowel control
  • Difficulties sleeping
  • Trouble carrying out daily tasks
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Stiff muscles
  • Trouble standing or sitting
  • Weak muscles
• Physical impact of the illness

  The physical changes and symptoms experienced
• Emotional impact of the illness

  The feelings and mental health effects experienced
• Social impact of the illness

  The effects on a person's social life and relationships
• The physical impact of Dementia includes: jerky movements making daily tasks difficult, becoming picky about food, forgetting how to use utensils or chew/swallow, risk of dehydration, loss of bowel control, sleep difficulties, trouble with daily tasks