Comment 1

The social determinants of health refer to the social and economic conditions that determine an individual’s health and medical well-being. Economic and social conditions are variedly distributed amongst people and they affect people’s working and living conditions differently. The social determinants of health affect an individual working and living conditions.   Social determinants are informed by public policies that mirror the political ideologies of the people in authority. Economic conditions determine the social conditions of a community. People who live in affluent areas are more content with their lives and they are mentally and physically healthier than people who are not content with their social status. Poor people generally are less healthy and have shorter life expectancies as compared to rich people.

This differences in health are social injustices and they illuminate powerful health determinants in the modern world. The differences have allowed an increased understanding of how remarkably sensitive health issues are in the social environment. Social determinants contribute to the development of diseases in that poor people are generally more exposed to pathogens than the rich. They eat and drink contaminated food and water, the share amenities and they have no easy access to medical attention.

According to the epidemiologic triad model, the repeated interaction of a disease-causing agent on their host in a conducive environment results in the spread of infectious diseases (CDC, 2014).  The pathogen leaves its host and enters another potential host through a relevant portal.  The pathogen thrives and multiplies in its habitat in what is referred to as a chain of infection (WHO, 2014). Understanding the various transmission channels and exit portals enable a care provider to know the best cause of prevention and treatment. Control measures are typically employed in the section of the infection chain that allows easy intervention.  For instance, in the treatment of a bacterial respiratory infection, a nurse can administer antibiotics to a patient. A nurse can also wear protective gear such as masks and gloves to protect them from getting infections by touching infected bodily fluids.