Environmental Factors Affecting Health - Essay Example

Individual Social Needs   btec level 2, Health and Social Care Assignment January 22, 1233 words   Institute Individual SocialNeeds Task 2 a. There are Various Factors as to why people’s health and their subsequent needs are different. Identify 4 Different factors and write an explanation as to what potential effects that may have on the individual. Factors influencing individual health and needs can be classified into three categories 1. Social Factors1 2. Economic Factors2 3. Environmental Factors3 Different factors arise from these three categories, resulting in influencing the health and needs of the individual. 4 major factors influencing health and individual needs are as follows. 1. Housing ‘Housing’ arises from the socio-economic class of factors. Where and how an individual is living has a major impact on the health of an individual4, be it physical or psychological health. Individuals living in housing setting in which care and love is provided, tend to be healthier and socially secure; whereas, individuals living in poor settings can suffer detrimental effects in terms of physical and psychological health. Respiratory issues can also emerge from poor housing facilities as well as mental health issues; homeless individuals are documented to suffer from worst health conditions and accessibility to health service is also difficult for such people5. 2. Environmental Factors Environmental factors can promote positive or negative effects on health; Positive effects lead to health sustenance and promoting positive environmental factors can be as such regarded as preventive medicine6, on the other hand environmental hazards can be detrimental to health, and should be controlled in favor of promoting public health7. Nutrition sources, water for coking and other house hold activities, quality of air, UV protection provided by ozone layer, recreational facilities are all regarded as environmental factors having a positive influence on the health of an individual; whereas, poor air quality, floods, droughts, epidemics arising from specific environmental conditions, poor water quality are all examples of environment adversely effecting the health of an individual8. Naturally individuals living in environmental conditions that are favourable will foster better physical and mental health than individuals living in poor or adverse environmental conditions. 3. Poverty and Debt EU defines poverty as the limitation of individuals and families in terms of sources so that they are unable to maintain a minimum acceptable way of life in residing state9. Living in poverty can have detrimental effects on health, more psychological and mental than physical; impoverished living conditions can lead to a life of stress, depression, anxiety and most significantly a life of seclusion10. WHO also has estimated that the main difference and factor responsible for varied health status is actually the difference present in social advantage and poverty11. Poverty leads to poor living conditions thus naturally leading to poor access to educational facilities, health facilities, working opportunities; as such making poverty a cause and effect for itself. 4. Alcohol Consumption Alcohol consumption and its misuse are contributing factors to bad health. Alcohol consumption is taking roots in youngsters from 11 to 15 years, which leads to development of heavy drinking habits and alcohol abuse in these youngsters; contributing to high rate of health problems and higher death rates in youngsters12. Alcohol abuse can lead to deteriorating life style, health conditions, economic conditions, and social relations. It can affect different bodily organs and functions adversely leading to diseases like cardiovascular diseases, digestive problems, thyroid problems and many ther severe health conditions. b. Produce a realistic Health Plan that will improve the health of a chosen individual. Health plan The individual chosen for the task is an alcoholic. His consent has been taken and confidentiality will be maintained. He is suffering from severe alcohol abuse and is incapable of continuing life in its normal respects. His daily normal and social life has been crippled. The following health plan will be implemented to improve his health condition 1. Providing literature to increase awareness on the adverse effects of alcohol abuse, how it can poison the body13. This will help the individual in exerting control over his consumption of alcohol. The short term goals of the health plan focus on creating awareness for the individual on how alcohol is the basic reason of disruption in his life and that the only way to return to normal life is by quitting alcohol. The realization by the patient will be highly influential in attaining the long term goals. 2. Discussing the health and care needs with the individual’s physician. 3. Including healthy foods in daily eating routine to encourage healthier body 4. Identify factors that lead to the individuals alcohols consumption and addressing those factors, due either eliminate or reduce them significantly, like family stress, work stress etc. 5. Ensure administration of drugs on due timings to ensure there is no relapse in drinking. 6. Ensue a positive attitude and thinking in the individual to return to the main stream life and refrain from seclusion and social isolation. The midterm goals will focus on successful recurring visits to the physician and administration of prescribed drugs, aiding in quitting alcohol. The midterm goals will also focus on the individual’s somewhat reduction in alcohol consumption; return to social and family life. Changing the focus of the individual from; ‘should do’ to ‘can do’ and ‘I will do’. 7. Positive behaviour like refraining from alcohol should be rewarded. 8. Negative behaviour should be reprimanded. The Long term goals will focus on the individual’s complete return to normal family and social life, including a full time or part time job. Long term goals will also aim at significantly reducing alcohol consumption by the individual and long hours of sober hours. An estimated time of six months will be required to achieve the long term goals of this health plan. The plan will be adapted to the needs of the individual. Frequent discussion session will be held with the individual and if the individual is showing signs of pessimism and dissatisfaction with the progress, the plan will be accordingly adapted and reviewed. The difficulties faced by the individual are social pressures, peer pressure, and recurring desire for drinking. They are also considered while reviewing and adjusting the health plan. In six months time, the progress of the individual will be estimated by the number of hours the individual is sober and the number of days in which he consecutively displays this behaviour as opposed to his early condition. His social life will also be an indicator of how he has progressed. Transparency as an ethical issue will be ensured14. Transparency will ensure that the health plan is accessible to the individual being treated and clearly and frequently communicated. Trust and confidentiality15 will be ensured during the planning and its implementation and even after. Bibliography Athena Global, ‘Environmental Factors Affecting Health’, Athena Global [web document] (2004) , accessed 22 Jan. 2013. Department of Health, ‘Koori Alcohol Action Plan 2010-2020’, Department of Health [web document] (2010) , accessed 22 Jan, 2013. Gwynedd, ‘Social and Economic Factors which Influence Health’, Gwynedd [web document] (2013) , accessed 22 Jan. 2013. WHO, ‘Addressing Ethical issues in Pandemic Influenza Planning’, WHO [web document] (2007) , accessed 22 Jan, 2013. Read More