Epidemiological Transition and Population Health: Understanding Social Determinants of Health in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-246
Author(s):  
Soma Hewa ◽  
Bo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Social Epidemiology ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity

This article has twin objectives: First, the article briefly examines major theoretical interpretations of disease causations in Western medicine, their limitations in understanding social epidemiology, and the gradual development of the population health approach to health promotion and disease prevention in the context of chronic diseases in Western industrialized societies. Second, the article examines the current epidemiological trends in China and the relevance of population health perspectives and strategies to promote health. While analyzing some recent findings on social determinants of health in China, the article argues that effective population health strategies for health promotion must be based on a social epidemiology that provides information necessary to promote health. Although infectious diseases still make a significant contribution to China’s mortality and morbidity figures, the incidence of chronic diseases such as malignancies, heart disease, respiratory disease, and cerebrovascular disease is steadily increasing. Finally, in view of the current epidemiological trend, and the need to tackle the multiple health challenges, this discursive analysis proposes a number of key research areas within the broader context of social epidemiology that may facilitate future health policies in China.

Health Disparities and the Social Determinants of Health: Ethical and Social Justice Issues

2019 ◽  
pp. 265-276
Author(s):  
Sridhar Venkatapuram
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Global Justice ◽  
Social Epidemiology ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Early Infant ◽  
The Social

The term health disparities (also called health inequalities) refers to the differences in health outcomes and related events across individuals and social groups. Social determinants of health, meanwhile, refers to certain types of causes of ill health in individuals, including lack of early infant care and stimulation, lack of safe and secure employment, poor housing conditions, discrimination, lack of self-respect, poor personal relationships, low community cohesion, and income inequality. These social determinants stand in contrast to others, such as individual biology, behaviors, and proximate exposures to harmful agents. This chapter presents some of the revolutionary findings of social epidemiology and the science of social determinants of health, and shows how health disparities and social determinants raise profound questions in public health ethics and social/global justice philosophy.

scholarly journals Integrating Social Determinants of Health to Precision Medicine through Digital Transformation: An Exploratory Roadmap

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 5018
Author(s):  
Ik-Whan G. Kwon ◽  
Sung-Ho Kim ◽  
David Martin
Keyword(s):  
Precision Medicine ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Collaborative Tools ◽  
High Level

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered healthcare delivery platforms from traditional face-to-face formats to online care through digital tools. The healthcare industry saw a rapid adoption of digital collaborative tools to provide care to patients, regardless of where patients or clinicians were located, while mitigating the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. Information technologies now allow healthcare providers to continue a high level of care for their patients through virtual visits, and to collaborate with other providers in the networks. Population health can be improved by social determinants of health and precision medicine working together. However, these two health-enhancing constructs work independently, resulting in suboptimal health results. This paper argues that artificial intelligence can provide clinical–community linkage that enhances overall population health. An exploratory roadmap is proposed.

600 Social Determinants and Their Impact on Burn Surgery Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S151-S152
Author(s):  
Luis H Quiroga ◽  
Tomer Lagziel ◽  
Mohammed Asif ◽  
Raymond Fang ◽  
Grace F Rozycki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Hospital Charges ◽  
Burn Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Abstract Introduction To our knowledge, no studies have been conducted assessing the social determinants of health and the impact on the outcomes for burn patients. Such studies are needed considering burn injuries are associated with high costs, severe psychological impact, and a high burden placed on the healthcare systems. The burden is hypothesized to be aggravated by the increasing amount of diabetes and obesity seen in the general population which put patients at increased risk for developing chronic wounds. Studies have shown that several socioeconomic status (SES) factors are associated with increased risk of burns, but none have documented the outcomes of burn patients based on their social determinants of health. In our study, we will be comparing patients in the burn ICU (BICU) to patients in the surgical ICU (SICU). The purpose of this comparison is to evaluate whether the same social determinants of health have similar influences in both groups. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of population group data from patients admitted to the BICU and SICU from January 1, 2016, to November 18, 2019. The primary outcomes were length-of-stay (LOS), mortality, 30-day-readmission, and hospital charges. Pearson’s chi-square test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables were used to compare population health groups. Results We analyzed a total of 487 burn and 510 surgical patients. When comparing BICU and SICU patients, we observed significantly higher mean hospital charges and LOS in burn patients with a history of mental health (mean difference: $42,756.04, p=0.013 and 7.12 days, p=0.0085), ESRD ($57,8124.7, p=0.0047 and 78.62 days, p=0.0104), sepsis ($168,825.19, p=< 0.001 and 20.68 days, p=0.0043), and VTE ($63,9924.1, p=< 0.001 and 72.9 days, p=0.002). Also, higher mortality was observed in burn patients with ESRD, STEMI, sepsis, VTE, and diabetes mellitus. Burn patients with a history of mental health, drug dependence, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus also had greater 30-day-readmissions rates. Conclusions This study sheds new knowledge on the considerable variability that exists between the different population health groups in terms of outcomes for each cohort of critically ill patients. It demonstrates the impacts of population health group on outcomes. These population groups and social determinants have different effects on BICU versus SICU patients and this study provides supporting evidence for the need to identify and develop new strategies to decrease overspending in healthcare. Further research to develop relevant and timely interventions that can improve these outcomes.

scholarly journals The Social Determinants of Health in Disaster Risk Reduction

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s95-s95
Author(s):  
Joseph Cuthbertson ◽  
Frank Archer ◽  
Jose Rodriguez-llanes ◽  
Andrew Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Community Perception ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Socially Isolated

Introduction:The rationale for undertaking this study was to investigate how characteristics of population health relate to and impact disaster risk, resilience, vulnerability, impact, and recovery. The multi-disciplinary environment that contextualizes disaster practice can influence determinants of health. Robust health determinants, or lack thereof, may influence the outcomes of disaster events affecting an individual or a community.Aim:To investigate how the social determinants of health inform community perceptions of disaster risk.Methods:Community perception of disaster risk in reference to the social determinants of health was assessed in this study. Individual interviews with participants from a community were conducted, all of whom were permanent community residents. Thematic analysis was conducted using narrative inquiry to gather firsthand insights on their perceptions of how characteristics of population health relate to and impact an individual’s disaster risk.Results:Analysis demonstrated commonality between interviewees in perceptions of the influence of the social determinants of health on individual disaster risk by determinant type. Interviewees sensed a strong correlation between low community connection and disaster risk vulnerability. Specific populations thought to have low community connection were perceived to be socially isolated, resulting in low knowledge or awareness of the surrounding disaster risks, or how to prepare and respond to disasters. In addition, they had reduced access to communication and support in time of need.Discussion:The importance of a strong social community connection was a feature of this research. Further research on how health determinants can enable disaster risk awareness and disaster risk communication is warranted.

scholarly journals The Role of the Health Coach in a Global Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 216495612110394
Author(s):  
Meg A Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Cultural Competencies ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Health Coaches ◽  
Professional Health ◽  
Public Health Initiatives

Background While medical teams were perplexed about the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection, transmission and impairment of organ systems and immune function, viral infections spread worldwide. Complex intersectional issues of co-morbidities coupled with marginalized, diverse ethnic/racial populations emerged as significant risks to contracting severe COVID-19. Objective Since a healthy lifestyle is fundamental for lowering risk to chronic diseases, public health initiatives to manage this and future pandemics should include strategies that assist individuals to improve health status through targeted behavior changes. This conceptual paper builds a case for certified professional health coaches as primary actors in future preventive strategies, with expanded skills in addressing social determinants of health and “next generational” cultural competencies. Methods This concept paper primarily synthesizes fast-tracked research in 2020 regarding the demographic impact of COVID-19, specifically those groups suffering the highest morbidity and mortality rates. Exploring these intersectional issues through a conceptual lens provides strategies for certified health coaches to contribute their expertise in behavioral change within the larger contextual settings of racial/ethnic disparities and social inequities. Results As the co-morbidities and other chronic conditions related to COVID-19 among individuals and families in low-income communities are worsened by dual forces (lifestyle/behavioral choices and ingrained structural inequities), adding the support of certified health coaches to build trust, provide more convenient access to address vaccine hesitancy, and dispell falsehoods, is an effective means for advancing health and wellbeing. Group coaching and one-on-one coaching can work in tandem with public health initiatives for reducing chronic disease burden and addressing social determinants of health (SDoH). Skills are identified in coaching SDoH with expanded cultural competencies for health coaches. Conclusion Certified professional health coaches can make a positive impact on general risk reduction of chronic diseases within ethnic/racial minorities, thereby supporting population health in facing future contagions with greater health resilience.

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