What are social determinants of health? Explain how social determinants of health contribute to the development of disease. Describe the fundamental idea that the communicable disease chain model is designed to represent. Give an example of the steps a nurse can take to break the link within the communicable disease chain. Resources within your text covering international/global health, and the websites in the topic materials, will assist you in answering this discussion question. Using 200-300 words APA format with reference.
Social determinants of health are the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age that impact their overall health and well-being. These determinants are influenced by social, economic, political, and environmental factors. Examples of social determinants of health include socioeconomic status, education, employment, social support networks, and access to healthcare.
The postulation that social determinants of health contribute to the development of disease can be understood through the concept of health inequities. Health inequities refer to avoidable and unfair differences in health outcomes between different population groups. It has been well-established that individuals who experience lower socioeconomic status, lower educational attainment, and limited access to healthcare are more likely to suffer from poor health outcomes and chronic diseases.
For example, individuals with lower socioeconomic status might have limited access to nutritious food, safe housing, and quality healthcare, which can contribute to the development of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Similarly, individuals with limited educational attainment might have limited health literacy, which can hinder their ability to understand and effectively manage their health conditions. These social determinants directly impact individuals’ health behaviors, their access to preventive care and treatment, and their overall well-being.
The communicable disease chain model is designed to represent the process through which communicable diseases are transmitted from an infectious agent to a susceptible host. It consists of six steps: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. Each step in the chain represents a point at which the spread of the disease can be interrupted to prevent further transmission.
To illustrate, let’s consider the example of the influenza virus. The infectious agent in this case is the influenza virus itself, which is typically transmitted through respiratory droplets. The reservoir is the human population, as infected individuals serve as carriers of the virus. The portal of exit is the respiratory tract, through which the virus is expelled when infected individuals cough or sneeze. The mode of transmission is typically direct contact, such as when an infected individual sneezes on another person. The portal of entry is the respiratory tract of the susceptible individual, where the virus can enter the body. Finally, the susceptible host is an individual who is not immune to the virus and can be infected.
A nurse can play a critical role in breaking the link within the communicable disease chain by implementing appropriate preventive measures. For instance, in the case of influenza, a nurse can advocate for and provide vaccinations to individuals at risk, such as the elderly or those with chronic medical conditions. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of individuals becoming infected with the influenza virus, therefore interrupting the spread of the disease.
Additionally, a nurse can educate individuals on proper hand hygiene techniques, such as regular handwashing with soap and water. This helps to minimize the transmission of the virus from contaminated surfaces to susceptible individuals. The nurse can also promote respiratory hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing, to prevent the release of respiratory droplets into the environment.
In conclusion, social determinants of health significantly contribute to the development of disease. Factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and access to healthcare have a direct impact on individuals’ health outcomes. The communicable disease chain model represents the process of transmission of a communicable disease, and nurses can break the link within the chain by implementing preventive measures such as vaccinations, promoting hand hygiene, and educating individuals on respiratory hygiene. By addressing social determinants of health and implementing effective prevention strategies, nurses can play a crucial role in promoting better health outcomes and reducing the burden of disease.