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Human Relations
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Human Relations
1. In the article, We Can Do Better — Improving the Health of the American People Steven
A. Schroeder, M.D., outlines five determinants of health being.[ CITATION Sch07 \l 1033 ]1
These health determinants include genetics, social circumstances, environmental exposures,
behavioral patterns, and healthcare. One of the reasons why the U.S. ranks poorly on many
health measures despite spending more money than other countries on health care is due to
behavioral patterns. Among these behavioral patterns include lack of physical exercise and
smoking which accounts for 40% of all deaths in the country.[ CITATION Sch07 \l 1033 ]1
Another reason Schroeder explains is the non-behavioral determinants of health such as social
circumstances, environmental exposure, and healthcare access. Although Schroeder argues that
medical care plays an insignificant role in reducing premature death, research reveals that U.S.
health care is poorly performed compared to other industrialized nations.[ CITATION Sch07 \l
1033 ]1 For instance, research reveals that the U.S. lacks a universal health care system.
Therefore, many citizens usually depend on their employer's insurance benefits or bear the
charges. As a result, access to health care becomes a challenge due to the poor financial brackets
among the individuals. Besides, the lack of an insurance system limits individuals from seeking
treatment, thus resulting in poor health populations.
2. The increased morbidity and mortality rates in America are influenced by both obesity
and tobacco use. However, these conditions are less likely to be addressed by practitioners as
significant health issues, although they are the primary risk factors for chronic diseases and are
difficult to treat.[ CITATION Sar20 \l 1033 ]2 One can distinguish between smoking or non-
smoking status, unlike obesity. For instance, smoking can cause harm to others through passive
smoking but does not apply to obesity. Besides, individuals can develop a smoking habit due to
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nicotine's effects, which leads to addiction. However, that is not the case with obesity. Obesity
can be controlled through moderate eating, but moderating smoking can still harm an individual.
3. People living in poverty in inner cities are reflected in the pie chart with the following
percentages of health determinants.
Genetic predispositions – 25%
Behavioral patterns -25%
Social circumstances 20%
Environmental exposures 10%
Health care 20%
The percentage of premature deaths for the impoverished populations in inner cities may
increase due to inaccessibility to quality healthcare. Besides, these populations have a high rate
of environmental exposure and thus a surge in the overall percentage.
Similarly, impoverished populations in rural areas lack access to quality healthcare. However,
these populations are less likely to be exposed to various environmental exposures. Therefore,
the percentage of deaths is likely to be lower, as evidenced in the pie chart.
4. Racial disparities in social determinants of health are evidenced by research and may
ultimately affect the quality of life among individuals. In the U.S., racial groups are highly
disadvantaged based on their social and economic attainment.[ CITATION Sin17 \l 1033 ]3 That
is because many racial groups are likely to live in low-income neighborhoods where they are less
likely to receive quality education and attain less-paying jobs. These groups are likely to live a
poor quality of life, thus experiencing increased morbidity and mortality rates.
However, the church can play a significant role in curbing racial disparities. That can be
achieved through the instillation of Christ's teachings to the different racial groups. The church
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serving as a body of Christ can stand as a voice for the voiceless.[ CITATION Sar20 \l 1033 ]2
For instance, there are various verses from the scripture that help in explaining the issues of
inequality. Galatians 3:28 denies the problems of racial disparities by claiming that there is no
Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male, or female before Christ since all are one.[ CITATION
Gae76 \l 1033 ]4 Therefore, by describing the scripture to the people, the church can shed some
light on eliminating racial disparities while fighting for the disadvantaged populations.
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1. Sarna L,FMC,&SSA. Tobacco dependence treatment is critical to excellence in health care.
JAMA Internal Medicine. 2020;180(11):1413-1414.
2. Gaebelein FE. The Expositor's Bible Commentary with New International Version of the Holy
Bible. Holy Bible. 1976.
3. Schroeder SA. We can do better improving the health of the American people. New England
Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(12):1221-1228.
4. Singh GK,KIE,GM,PC,DGP,VIP.&AM. Opioid epidemic in the United States: empirical
trends, and a literature review of social determinants and epidemiological, pain management,
pain management, and treatment patterns. International Journal of Maternal and Child
Health and AIDS. 2017;8(2):89.
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