The Concept of Health - Coursework Example

The Concept of Health Name: Course: Institution: Tutor: Date: Introduction Complexity faces the provision of health care is today. Consequently, there is need for health care practitioners to categorically identify mechanisms for dealing with the challenges that face health care service provision. In the traditional model, individual practitioners gathered their personal judgments and experiences in order to ensure that health care provisions become more effective. However, embedded within the challenges faced by the public health care sector is the need to find more workable and practical aspects to be considered when dealing with the challenge of providing competitive and high quality services (Birch1999). This paper will discuss three factors: public health and health inequalities, improving service-user interaction, and health behaviour as some of the key issues that impact access to health care by individuals. In particular, the paper will emphasize on addressing the impacts of the aforementioned issues on access to health care. Experts in health care provision should therefore find useful mechanisms of building a health care system that can address such issues in order to improve the wellbeing of every individual. Gender - inequalities in health Gender differences influence the ability of individuals to enjoy good health, at least to some extent. Health care practitioners, who basically have an aim of improving the well being and health of individuals, should consider the notion of gender inequality in health. However, reports indicate that women appear to be more frequently attacked by illness and sickness than men. Another paradox is associated to the fact that men have higher rates of respiratory illness, cancer, heart disease and accidents, while women experience illnesses that are longer standing (Kinger 2005). Health care services that are provided to men and women indicate the state of inequality in health care provision. Services available for screening women’s health problems for instance breast screening, cervical smear screening and preventive measures such as vaccination of teenage girls against cervical cancer are easily available and accessible. In contradistinction, NHS healthcare procedures have neglected male health needs and not put in place campaigns to screen men of the age of approximately 40 years old and above for prostate and testicular cancer. A recent release by NHS Board survey in April 2009 indicated that there is a higher intake of women (60.40 percent) as opposed to men (53.0 percent) in bowel screening programmes. However currently, more cancer cases are detected in men as opposed to women. Health practitioners should therefore develop mechanisms of ensuring that there is equality in terms of provision of health care services (National Health Service 2010). Health related behaviour also depicts the aspect of gender inequality in health. There is therefore need for health practitioners to analyze the differences in the behaviour of men and women and the impact that they have on susceptibility to illness. For instance, traditionally, the proportion of men who drink alcohol has been higher than that of women (National Health Service 2010). Nevertheless the current trend in alcohol consumption indicated by a study in 2007 showed that 24 percent of women and 13 percent of men had been drinking before their first sexual experience (McConnell 2007). Such findings show that the risk of sexually transmitted diseases can be more prevalent among young women. The paradox that is evident within the difference between women and men is that of women having longer life expectancy rates. Women have higher level of oestrogen hormone (a type of protection), which explains the longer life expectancy that is present in women (Palfrey 2004). Similarly the levels of testosterone in men have been used in explaining the risk taking behaviour that exists in some men which in turn results in higher risk of death and accidents and also why men smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than women, leading to higher rates of death from coronary heart disease (CHD), respiratory disease, cancer, and accidents. Kinger (2005) states that there is a positive correlation between testosterone levels in men and their aggression. As such, men are usually much more likely to get involved in actions that depict more aggression as compared to women (Kinger 2005). Apart from the biological factors, inequality in terms of getting good healthcare is associated with the social and economic inequalities that exist within the parameters of gender. In order to effectively understand the gender inequalities that are prevalent in health, the major question should be: How do social, economic and political determinants influence the aspect of more power in terms of access in health services? In spite of the increased involvement of women in the employment world, men and women occupy different positions within and outside the labour market. A large number of women are employed in the retail and personal sectors as secretaries, hairdressers, waitresses, and check out operators. These sectors are basically characterised by low pay. Most men on the other hand primarily work in the service sector where wages are higher than the working areas of women. In spite of the fact that an ever increasing number of women hold well paying jobs in today’s society, a significant number are still found within the bracket of low wage jobs due to social roles such as child birth and home care, which poses a barrier for many women to further their education. Approximately 40 percent of women spend 50 hours a week involved domestic tasks and caring for children (Darley 2002). The diverse positions that exist in the home and the labour market between men and women do explain the vulnerability that exists among women when it comes to receiving proper health care. Due to lack of proper finance and the social roles of women, it is more likely that many women are not eligible to contributory benefits of employment such as health and retirement benefits and therefore lack the proper mechanisms of accessing health care services (Acheson Report 1998). Improving service-user interaction A health care practitioner whose aim is to improve the health and well being of individuals should first put into consideration the aspect of improving the services offered to citizens. The behaviour of an individual may, to some extent, contribute to their susceptibility to diseases. It is important to advocate approaches that are participatory and which enhance service-user interaction. Consideration should also be taken on focusing on client-centred care. This can be advocated for by health care policies that encourage more user services such as home care services. Client-centred care should also be aimed at helping healthcare practitioners to try and understand the problems that people face when it comes to dealing with health problems. The other important factor to be considered is assessing if health care services are effectively meeting the needs of the people. NHS can improve services available for male health problems that have recently been raised by the media for instance increasing screening services for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and other illnesses that predominantly affect males, in order to take an interest in their own care if forced to attend preventative screening practices. In addition, health practitioners should have good communication skills in order for them to improve the services that they offer (Alvesson & Billing 1997). Health behaviour Research indicates that experience and behaviour greatly influence health care. Psychologists such as Dr. Deborah R. Sepinwall have studied the relationship that exists between individual character and illness. There are various determinants of health behaviour which include cultural, psychological and social economic factors. Health practitioners should therefore have adequate knowledge of the appropriate health behaviour. This information can later be disseminated to members of the public for their benefit. There are various health related behaviours, for instance practicing behaviour that is health preventative such as taking a child to be immunised before they are affected by a certain disease. There is also illness behaviour, where a person recognises signs suggesting a pending illness. For instance, a parent gives a child cough medicine after hearing a wheeze. In addition, there is sick-role behaviour, where action is taken once an individual has been diagnosed for example where a mother suspects that her child has malaria and takes him to the clinic for treatment (Annandale 1998). It is important for health practitioners to understand the various health related behaviours that individuals have. This initiative is basically done with the aim of helping people to remain healthy and adhere to practices that will enable the effective treatment of sensitive diseases (Annandale 1998). Conclusion In conclusion, it is imperative that health practitioners place emphasis on solving issues such as gender inequality in health, understanding the health behaviour of individuals and improving service-user interaction in order to enhance the wellbeing of individuals in terms of health access. As it has been discussed, inequality associated with gender is reflected by the differences in life expectancy between men and women. It is important to advocate for approaches that are participatory and enhance interaction among various health service users. A health care system that is desirable and practical should have health practitioners who have adequate skills to solve the health-related issues that affect members of society. If properly addressed, the three key issues that have been discussed should lead to the improved wellbeing of individuals. 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Taylor, S 2002, Sociological perspectives on health, illness and health Care, Blackwell Science, Oxford. Read More