Question

Select an issue (health or social related). Then discuss how you would address each level of the Social Ecological Model.

Selected Issue: ______________________

Individual: ___________________

Interpersonal: _________________________

Organizational: _________________________

Community: ___________________________

Policy: ________________________________

Answer 1

The Social Ecological Model is a theory based on the interaction between individual and the environmental factors which displays the dynamic interrelations. The conceptual model was formalized by Bronfenbrenner who has postulated that understanding human development can solely be done by understanding the ecological system in which development occurs.

Issue selected : Heart disease

Application of SEM to solve the problem:
Goal - to prevent heart disease

1.Individual- in the first level, the individuals biological and personal history should be identified which can increase the likelihood of developing a heart disease. factors influencing heart disease can include both modifiable and non modifiable characteristics such as gender, age, lifestyle, dietary pattern etc.

Policy - prevention activities at this stage can change the attitude, change their beliefs and promote them towards adoption of healthy life to prevent heart disease

2.Relationship - in the second level, relationship of the individual with family, community, friends, partners is being studied upon so as to know the effect of relationship which can lead to heart disease.

Policy - Prevention activities at this stage focuses on family centered health education, promoting healthy lifestyles among friends, partners and family etc which can reduce the chances of heart disease.

3.Community - the third level involves the community and environment in which the individual is promoted to unhealthy lifestyle making him/her prone to heart disease. it includes home, school, office, neighborhood, canteen.

Policy - Prevention activities will include improving the canteen system, changing policies in office and school to adopt exercise, modifying eating and activity habits etc.

4. Societal -  the fourth level involves the society in a broader aspect which comprises of eating habits and lifestyle prevalent in society, culture of eating habits, policies of the government which can all contribute to heart disease.

Policy - prevention at this level involves changing the social culture, governmental policies towards adoption of healthy living etc.