Determinants of health

The health of an individual is affected by many factors.
Firstly, I think biology and behavior are the most important determinants of health. An individual is the product of his/her nature and environment. Sadly, the genetic traits that an individual inherited may have lifelong impacts on the individual health. A baby who was born with a defective gene (i.e. Down syndrome) is more likely developing certain diseases or having a shorter life expectancy. In addition, poor choices such as smoking, alcohol abuse, sedentary lifestyle, and unbalanced eating can negatively affect the quality of health of an individual.
Secondly, the physical and social environment that somebody lives in can directly or indirectly determine the health of that person. An individual living near a toxic power-plant or living in an area with poor sanitation is at high risk for developing certain health problems. The social environment is a broad term; in my opinion, it includes the socioeconomic status, the race or ethnic background, and the education level of an individual. Certainly, all the factors listed above can determine the health of an individual.
Finally, having access to quality health care is the hope of all individuals and is a powerful determinant of health. Lack of healthcare insurance causes the most common health inequality in U.S., especially among minority groups. Policies and interventions determine whether or not some individuals have access to quality healthcare. The healthcare system is regulated through a lot of different nonprofit and private agencies. There is a big difference between the healthcare system in France where there is universal health coverage or in U.S where the health care is only accessible to a portion of the population. Today, there is growing consensus to reform the U.S healthcare system. Whether or not the reform takes place, our health will be affected by the current policies.
References
Kearney-Nunnery, R. (2008). Advancing Your Career: Concepts of Professional Nursing (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.
World Health Organization. (n.d.) The determinants of health. Retrieved on August 3, 2009, from http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/index.html.

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