Social Status and Health Essay (Essay Sample)

Wealth and Health
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Wealth and Health
Social Status and health
It is easily observed that people in the lowest social class have higher rates of mortality. There are many assumptions about what could be the cause of this. However, Professor Leonard Syme sums it up as a lack of control over the events that affect one’s life (Syme). In the video, Mr. Anderson provides an excellent example of an individual who has little control over the things that occur in his life. He has been diagnosed with hypertension as a result of the stress he has at work and at home. At work, he has little control over what is required of him and this places him in a position of uncertainty. He mentions how he is assigned multiple places to work and how stressful it is for him. Additionally, he makes barely enough to make the required savings. His wife says how he would have to work two jobs for them to save $250. These pressures have a significant impact on his health.
Jim Taylor enjoys the multiplicity of choices that accompany wealth. He lives in a safe neighborhood which translates to less stress because there is no worry about insecurity. Crime-related deaths are a major concern for wealthy people. Additionally, he says that the place he stays is safe and free and that he can go for runs without any concern. The ability to exercise freely is among the primary reasons why he is in good health at such a later age. Mr. Taylor also lives in a wealthy neighborhood which means that he is connected with individuals who can offer him exceptional choices when he needs something. Therefore, Mr. Taylor’s wealth and status translate to good health as a result of the choices that accompany being wealthy.
Social Determinants and Individual Responsibility
Dr. Troutman analyzes the distribution of excess death in Louisville city to determine that geographical location affects the mortality rate. This analysis identifies that there are social determinants that impact the individual’s decisions when making healthy choices. The reason he links the two is that people interact with different environments. Therefore, incorporating the environment in a health program provides a significant change. For example, he mentions that there are regions in the city where access to healthier foods is problematic. It is in these regions that the rate of cardiovascular ailments is higher. Therefore, when the doctor develops a health program for an individual in these areas he will put this into consideration. Social determinants significantly influence the individual and as such, they should be placed into consideration alongside individual responsibility.
In the case where individual responsibility is the sole focus of the health program, likely, the process will not be dynamic enough to accommodate all individuals. Accounting for social factors narrows down the program to best suit the health needs while making it more practical for the individual to follow through with the regimen. For example, an individual living in an area with easy access to fast foods can be tasked to do regular grocery shopping and be encouraged to cook for themselves. Additionally, the conditions under which an individual interacts often have limitations which suggest that there is no one-size-fits-all scenario when developing a health program. Incorporating these social determinants in the program helps the individual know how to live a healthier life within their means. Therefore, the exclusive focus on social determinants makes the program holistic and more likely to be effective in a broad array of applications.
Inequalities in Health
Michael Marmot gives out a number of suggestions that could rapidly improve the state of inequality in health. As stated in the video, there are a number of factors that are directly related to higher mortality rates such as social class, geographical location, and stress, among others. These suggestions directly address these factors. Guaranteed paid vacations offer employees a chance to decompress from the daily pressures at work which likely cause them a lot of stress. Therefore, this could be a great stress reduction strategy. Addressing wages by relating to the st