UOT Social Determinants of Health the Sense of Security & Well Being Discussion

Respond to:

Re: Topic 2 DQ 1
Social determinants of health are conditions in the environment that impact a person’s health and health outcomes. Social determinants can be physical, social, environmental, or economic and can have either positive or negative effect on a person’s health and well-being. According to Healthy People 2020, social determinants of health can be broken into 5 categories Economic Stability, Education, Health and Health Care, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community Context. (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion [ODPHP], 2020)

There is a direct correlation between social determinants, quality of life, and healthcare outcomes. This means that if one has better access to resources, quality education, jobs, and healthcare they should have better health outcomes. Unfortunately, the opposite is true as well. Those in underserved communities typically have less positive health outcomes due to higher crime rates, lower education levels, higher poverty, and less access to resources. (ODPHP, 2020)

The process for optimal disease transmission is outlined by the chain of infection. According to the chain of infection, the infectious organism must have an ideal reservoir to live in and multiply. It will then exit from that reservoir and transport to its next susceptible host. The susceptible host must have an ideal portal of entry in which the infectious organism can enter and begin the cycle again. The chain of infection repeats itself until something breaks the chain to stop the spread of the infectious organism. (Green, 2018). A few ways a nurse can break the chain of infection is by practicing good hand hygiene, keeping high touch surfaces cleaned with proper disinfectant after each use, and following proper isolation protocols.

Green, S. (2018). Epidemiology and Global Health. Community & Public Health:
The Future of Health Care. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs427vn/community-and-public- health-the-future-of-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020. October 8) Social Determinants of Health. Healthy People 2020. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics- objectives/topic/social-determinants-of-health