Determinants of Health for Nutrition - Health - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theDeterminants of Health for Nutrition, Health Aging. Answer: Individual determinants of health: Many of the authors have indicated time and time again at the predominance of various health determinants associated with the health care scenario. And the impact of these determinants is profound on determining the health status of the vulnerable populations. In this assignment, the vulnerable population chosen are the visually impaired and in order to explore and evaluate the health determinants for this population, red lotus model of health is selected. In this structure, the stem and roots of the plant are considered to be the construct of values and principles within the health promotional system [1]. Now, the first layer of petal structures of the health model is representative of all the kinds of environmental health determinants, where as the second petal layer of the model is representative of needs assessment for the vulnerable population. The third, fourth and fifth petal layer represents planning, implementation and evaluation respectively. The leaves of the model are rep resentative of sustainability practices, the stamens signify the biological and socio-economic status of the vulnerable population and lastly the pod represents the people and their health status. Considering biological factors, there are three key determinants, age, sex and genetics. According to the recent statistics, visual impaired-ness associated disabilities have been observed to be intricately linked with aging. Close to 500,000 Australians over 40 have been identified to live with some or the other kind of visual disability[2]. And despite of vision loss preventable the rate of the vision loss as a direct result of aging processes in Australia continues to increase. Based on the recent data published, there are close to 50% of the adults aged 40 or higher have been observed to develop AMD with growing age, 16% have been observed to lead to glaucoma, 5% to diabetic retinopathy and 22% to other cataract problems, all with growing age. Considering the gender related influence, the rate of women suffering from visual impaired ness is 64% of the total number of visually disabled in the world and the statistics for this data is no exception for Australia. A contributing fact or to this may be the fact that the men get twice as much accessibility to eye care services as women and it is heavily influenced by the social standing of the women in the rural and remote areas as well. Other, the genetic predisposition of visual loss is primarily for the aging population, whereas the children suffering from disabilities can also be influenced genetically. Both glaucoma and AMD have been identified as heavily genetically influenced visual disorders and the probability of this genetic disorders occurring also increases with growing age in the majority[3]. The next sector of determinants is the socio-economic influence of the visual disabilities; considering the income, the rate of vidual impaired- ness has been discovered to be higher than the high income background. In Australia, the socio-economic standing s crucially related with the percentage of visual disabilities, and it is reflected in the rate of prevalence of blindness in the aboriginal communities as compared to the non native individuals residing in Australia. According to the recent statistics, the native and economically background ethnic communities experience 6 times more vision loss and 3 times more visual impairment as compared to the rest of the populations[4]. A contributing factor to this might be the fact that low income is associated crucially with social status and accessibility to good lifestyle, healthy and hygienic living conditions and social privileges, the lack of a stable financial background therefore, interlinked with the rest of the variables limits t he chances of healthy living and increases the possibility of visual disability. Considering the last two sectors of determinants, cognitive determinants refers to the values, principles, thoughts and attitudes that affect the living conditions of visually impaired and how it contributes to the further deterioration of the their condition. It has to be mentioned in this context that there still is a significant level of discrimination and prejudices in society regrading the disabled and it restricts their right to good health and good living most times. There are various socio-cultural restrictions for the visually impaired population and their access to good health care, be it racial, gender or age-related or religious and ethnic prejudices[5]. As per the recent data, a vast majority of the visually impaired get inconsistent access to the Home and Community Care services for the visual aids and these socio-economic determinants are the major contributing factor leading to this. The last sector of determinants, the behavioural characteristics, physical, mental, a nd spiritual contribute significantly to the health and wellbeing of the visually impaired. The lack of compassion and support in the behaviours of the family, care environment and the rest of the society has been detected to be the underpinning reasons behind the lack of self worth and self esteem in the visually impaired individuals[6]. Discussion of the contribution of determinants: Considering the physical environment of the individuals, it has to be understood that the aging population dealing with visual disabilities are twice as likely to experience falls, and along with that they are much more likely to face lack of social independence and thrice as likely to develop depression. The lack of supportive care services in the demographic imparts a significant detrimental effect on their basic health and wellbeing. Considering the demographic data of build environment, it has to be mentioned that there is no certain national policy services or program dedicated to people older than 65 and dealing with visual impaired and this blatant negligence is also reflected on the restrictions that the visually impaired face, be it educational institution, occupational sector or residence area[7]. Considering the influence of the social determinants, it must not escape notice that the depression rates in the aging population with visual disabilities is thrice as higher in A ustralia as compared to the rest of the populations, and the rate of deoresion is even higher with people aged 65 and higher. The lack of societal support and compassion and the predominance of social rejection and discrimination is the most influential contributing factor. Considering the impact of economic environment, the lack of financial stability affects the lifestyle, nutritional patterns and health literacy and awareness, the lack of which is heavily linked to the deteriorating visual impairments with growing age. Along with that, the cost for vision loss prevention an adequate health care services for the visually impaired as estimated in Australia is close to $16000, a out of pocket amount that the socio-economically backward classes cannot afford and hence the health condition continues to escalate for the visually disabled. Lastly, considering the political impact on the health status of the disabled, it has to be understood that there is a gaping lack of attention towards improving the life visually disabled, and that is reflected conspicuously in the lack of any national policy of the visually impaired over the age of 65. There are no considerable efforts from the government towards the implementation of advanced treatments like bionic eye treatments, laser therapies and furthermore, the costs for what basic treatment is available for the visually disabled is obstinately expensive and completely out of reach for the aging population who are the majority vulnerable population for visual impaired-ness. Social justice and Ottawa health chart: The effect of the determinants on health cannot be denied and that is reason why a variety of different model of health have been Identified to overcome the detrimental effect of the determinants and facilities Health Promotion to improve the life of the vulnerable population. It has to be understood that Social Justice can only be implemented when is in every individual of the society has equal rights towards good health and wellbeing, However, unfortunately the disabled available population often restricted from these basic human rights[8]. According to the health promotional model of Ottawa charter that has been developed to address each and every Health Care needs on a global scale, a few strategies can be developed which can be the solution for rising discriminative and disparities for health and wellbeing in the vulnerable population of disabled. According to the first area of action of the Ottawa charter, building healthy public policy can be the first strategic initiative in order to improve the health and wellbeing of the vulnerable population. However, care should be taken by the national authorities to maintain the optimal inclusiveness of the policies, so that no age group will be left out of the coverage of the policies and each age group can have the benefits equally[9]. The next strategy will involve the principle of creating supportive environments from the Ottawa charter, it has to be understood that there are many restrictions prevalent in both natural and build physical environment, and therefore there is need for ergonomically designs and constructs that will promote better health and wellbeing of the visually disabled. Considering the care environments, there is a significant lack of advanced treatments that are economic and accessible by the majority of selected vulnerable population. Bionic eye treatments, laser therapies and visual disability care services need to be made easily accessible for all the age groups of visually disabled. Lastly, as mentioned in the Ottawa charter, strengthening community action is prerequisite promotional strategy, as without compassionate effort from all the sectors of the entire community there cannot be improvement in the lifestyle of the visually disabled. Therefore, there is need for awareness programs arranged by national authorities so that community as a whole understand the care needs of the visually disabled and can participate with co-operation and compassion so that visually disabled individuals can be included in the society as well[10]. Future implications: It can be stated that success of the strategies discussed are circumstantial, due to the presence of the key external and internal variables that potentially alter the effect of the determinants. Therefore, the future implications of the strategies devised will also rely on honest effort and cooperative participation from all the key stakeholders involved with this condition[11]. We must not overlook the fact here that there are various environmental restrictions associated with visual disability; and it being a sensory disability the prejudices regarding the viability and validity of visually disabled are magnified as well. However, these strategies can be a strong initiatives attempted to improve the living standards and health status of visually impaired and tesetratgeies will be able to lay the foundation based on which the health status of visually impaired population can be improved drastically, regardless of age, gender or other socio-cultural variables[12]. References: Steinman BA, Vasunilashorn S. Biological risk of older adults with visual impairments. The journal of nutrition, health aging. 2011 Apr 1;15(4):296-302. Schlvinck AF, Pittens CA, Broerse JE. The Research Priorities of People with Visual Impairments in the Netherlands. Journal of Visual Impairment Blindness. 2017 May 1;111(3). Tutuncu O, Lieberman L. Accessibility of hotels for people with visual impairments: from research to practice. Journal of Visual Impairment Blindness (Online). 2016 May 1;110(3):163. Brooks GI, DiNitto DM, Schaller J, Choi NG. Correlates of substance dependence among people with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment Blindness (Online). 2014 Sep 1;108(5):428. Shaw B, Coyle A, Gatersleben B, Ungar S. Exploring nature experiences of people with visual impairments/Vivir la naturaleza con una discapacidad visual. Psyecology. 2015 Sep 2;6(3):287-327. Leissner J, Coenen M, Froehlich S, Loyola D, Cieza A. What explains health in persons with visual impairment?. Health and quality of life outcomes. 2014 May 3;12(1):65. Bourne RR, Flaxman SR, Braithwaite T, Cicinelli MV, Das A, Jonas JB, Keeffe J, Kempen JH, Leasher J, Limburg H, Naidoo K. Magnitude, temporal trends, and projections of the global prevalence of blindness and distance and near vision impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health. 2017 Sep 1;5(9):e888-97. Cupples ME, Hart PM, Johnston A, Jackson AJ. Improving healthcare access for people with visual impairment and blindness. BMJ. 2012 Jan 30;344:e542. Tracie Harrison PhD, R.N., Guy, S., Walker, J. and Pound, P., 2012. 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