Question

Determinants of health biology and genetics

Answer 1

Many factors combine together to affect the health of individuals and communities. Whether people are healthy or not, is determined by their circumstances and environment. To a large extent, factors such as where we live, the state of our environment, genetics, our income and education level, and our relationships with friends and family all have considerable impacts on health, whereas the more commonly considered factors such as access and use of health care services often have less of an impact.

Determinants of health are defined as the range of behavioural, biological, socio-economic and environmental factors that influence the health status of individuals or populations. Determinant, in genetics, the term used in the late 19th century by the German biologist August Weismann to describe the component of hereditary material, or germ plasm, that specifies the characteristics of different cells.

The determinants of health include:

• the social and economic environment,
• the physical environment, and
• the person’s individual characteristics and behaviours.

The context of people’s lives determine their health, and so blaming individuals for having poor health or crediting them for good health is inappropriate. Individuals are unlikely to be able to directly control many of the determinants of health. These determinants—or things that make people healthy or not—include the above factors, and many others:

• Income and social status - higher income and social status are linked to better health. The greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health.
• Education – low education levels are linked with poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence.
• Physical environment – safe water and clean air, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health. Employment and working conditions – people in employment are healthier, particularly those who have more control over their working conditions
• Social support networks – greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health.
• Culture - customs and traditions, and the beliefs of the family and community all affect health.
• Genetics - inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses.
• Personal behaviour and coping skills – balanced eating, keeping active, smoking, drinking, and how we deal with life’s stresses and challenges all affect health.
• Health services - access and use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
• Gender - Men and women suffer from different types of diseases at different ages.