Public Health
Specifically, view the Social determinants of health [Video presentation] at https://vimeopro.com/aptrmodules/phlm/video/76355201.
This video is part of Public Health Learning Modules project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and developed by Temple University Department of Public Health and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research as a free teaching resource for public health professionals.
For this component of the Session Long Project, you will explore and discuss how social determinants can influence population health. Your task is to submit a paper that responds to the following questions:
- What area in the world has the highest child mortality rates based on the video presentation?
- Describe the differences in longevity and infant mortality by race and education. Make sure to provide supportive information from the video presentation and your additional literature searches.
- The presentation described several Healthy People 2020 objectives that relate to social determinants of health. Identify one of these objectives and discuss the specific baseline, target, target-setting method, and data source.
Length: 2–3 pages.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, we will explore the influence of social determinants on population health. We will review a video presentation on social determinants of health and discuss various aspects related to child mortality rates, longevity and infant mortality by race and education, and Healthy People 2020 objectives that relate to social determinants of health. Furthermore, we will analyze the targets, target-setting methods, baseline, and data source associated with one of these objectives.
Answer to Question 1:
Based on the video presentation, the area in the world with the highest child mortality rates is Sub-Saharan Africa. The video highlights that this region faces significant challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, inadequate nutrition, and high prevalence of infectious diseases, contributing to a higher child mortality rate compared to other areas.
Answer to Question 2:
The video presentation emphasizes the impact of social determinants, including race and education, on longevity and infant mortality. It states that there are notable differences in these outcomes among different racial and educational groups. For instance, individuals belonging to racial and ethnic minority groups, such as African Americans, tend to have lower life expectancies and higher rates of infant mortality compared to Caucasians.
Moreover, the video suggests that education plays a crucial role in determining health outcomes. Individuals with higher levels of education generally experience better health and lower infant mortality rates. This difference in outcomes can be attributed to factors such as access to healthcare, awareness of preventive measures, and socioeconomic resources that accompany higher education levels.
These findings align with existing literature on social determinants of health. Studies have consistently shown that disparities in longevity and infant mortality persist across racial and educational lines. Factors like discrimination, limited access to healthcare, and socioeconomic disadvantages contribute to these disparities.
Answer to Question 3:
The video presentation highlights several Healthy People 2020 objectives that address social determinants of health. One of the objectives discussed is “Reduce the proportion of adolescents who do not graduate from high school.” This objective aims to improve educational attainment among adolescents and, subsequently, positively influence health outcomes.
The baseline for this objective is set by determining the proportion of adolescents who do not graduate from high school at the beginning of the monitoring period. The target involves reducing this proportion by a specified percentage, indicating the desired improvement in educational attainment.
The target-setting method for this objective may involve analyzing historical trends, comparing the current proportion to previous years, and setting realistic reduction goals. It is important to consider contextual factors, such as regional disparities and socioeconomic variations, while setting targets.
The data source for monitoring progress towards this objective could be national surveys, educational databases, and reports from educational institutions. These sources provide information on high school graduation rates, allowing for tracking and evaluation of the target achievement over time.
In conclusion, this assignment focused on the influence of social determinants on population health. We examined child mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, discussed the disparities in longevity and infant mortality by race and education, and explored a specific Healthy People 2020 objective related to social determinants of health. By analyzing the video presentation and conducting additional literature searches, we gained insights into the impact of social determinants on health outcomes and the importance of addressing these factors in public health initiatives.
