Dr. Sameer Suhail on Reducing Health Disparities
Contrary to some people’s belief, poor public health is not caused merely by germs and genes. As Dr. Sameer Suhail explains in this article, poor public health results from the combination of the social and economic circumstances in which people live and a person’s individual and cultural characteristics. In addition, health inequalities or disparities exist because of an inadequate healthcare system that fails to meet the medical needs of particular groups of people.
The healthcare system has long been focused on treating illness and disease, and while this approach is obviously important, it is also necessary to consider the social factors that contribute to poor health. Issues such as poverty, discrimination, and unemployment have a profound impact on overall well-being, and it is crucial that we address these issues in order to promote health equity. By shifting our focus towards addressing the social determinants of health, we can promote pro-poor, gender-sensitive, and human-rights-based healthcare strategies that are truly effective in achieving better outcomes for all. Whether through policy changes or increased efforts to provide healthcare services to marginalized groups, improving healthcare systems requires us to consider the root causes of poor health, rather than simply treating the symptoms. By creating a healthcare environment that addresses the underlying social issues affecting the well-being of individuals, we can finally achieve true healthcare equity for everyone.
Achieving health equity
There are various social determinants of health, but the most important ones are poverty, education, and employment. Poverty is one of the leading causes of poor health. It not only limits access to healthcare and healthy food but also increases stress levels and exposure to toxins. Education influences health by teaching people how to live a healthy lifestyle and make good decisions about their health. Employment provides people with income, which gives them access to healthcare and other resources that improve their health.
Other social determinants of health include an individual’s neighborhood or physical environment and social support networks, notes Dr. Sameer Suhail. An all-encompassing definition of the social determinants of health is that they are the factors or conditions with which people are born, grow, live, study, and work that impact their overall well-being.
When the social determinants of health are addressed, it can help reduce health disparities and improve the population’s overall health. For instance, children born to parents who did not complete high school are more likely to grow up in a setting with barriers to achieving good health, such as lack of safety, exposure to pollution, and substandard housing. Stressful situations in the workplace or residence can also contribute to an individual’s expected lifespan. Other environmental factors could also have adverse health effects passed down from generation to generation.
Thus, authorities and communities should focus on developing health-impacting social policies, commit resources that foster healthy behaviors, and improve the financing of healthcare services. Together, all of these actions can address the social determinants of health, which, in turn, can help reduce health disparities.
