Behavioral Sciences and Ethics: Lesson 02

Behavioral Sciences and Ethics: Lesson 02

• Medical Sciences Program, Semester 01, Year 01, BIU
• Instructor: Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Khan

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the concept of the social pattern, including social determinants of health and how they influence health outcomes.
• Identify the impact of social inequalities on healthcare services.
• Analyze how different social groups experience health, focusing on health disparities and social gradients.
• Discuss the role of healthcare professionals in addressing social inequalities and promoting health equity.

Health and Well-being

• Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, and economic well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
• Health signifies socially and economically productive human life.

Disease, Illness, and Sickness & Disability

• Disease: an abnormal bodily or mental condition without noticeable signs or symptoms, yet accompanied by discomfort.
• Illness: the subjective feeling of being unwell or unhealthy, often affecting physical, emotional, and psychological states, with or without a diagnosed illness.
• Sickness: the social role a person adopts when they cannot perform usual responsibilities or behavior due to illness, often involving societal perceptions.
• Disability: societal perceptions relating to disability.

Understanding the Social Pattern of Health

• The social pattern of health refers to the observation that health outcomes often vary systematically according to social factors.
• Health is not just a result of genetics or personal choices but also social and economic conditions.

The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

• Social determinants of health (SDOH) are non-medical factors impacting health outcomes.
• Examples: income, education, occupation

SDOH (Graphic)

• Examples of SDOH include: economic stability, education access & quality, health care access & quality, social & community context, and neighborhood & built environment.

How Social Determinants Influence Health Outcomes

• Lower income often limits access to resources.
• Education increases health knowledge and healthier behaviors.
• High-risk occupations (e.g., manual labor) may expose individuals to physical and environmental hazards.

The Concept of Social Gradients in Health

• Stepwise increase in relationship between socioeconomic status and health.
• Health generally improves with each step up in socioeconomic position.
• Example: people with higher educational levels often enjoy better health outcomes.

Health Inequity vs. Health Inequality

• Health inequality describes measurable differences in health outcomes among different population groups.
• Examples include higher rates of heart disease, differences in life expectancy between men and women, and geographical disparities.
• Health inequalities do not always imply unfairness, but some variations may arise from societal injustices.

Health Inequity vs. Health Inequality (2)

• Health inequities refer to health differences that are systemic, avoidable, and often unjust.
• These disparities are rooted in social, economic, environmental disadvantages and can be addressed via policies and interventions.
• Examples include limited access to quality healthcare in low-income communities.
• Health inequities arise from injustices and are thus unfair/unjust.

Case Study: Income and Life Expectancy

• Comparison of life expectancy between low- and high-income groups.
• Discussion points: how income influences lifestyle choices, healthcare access, and stress levels; role of public policy in reducing income-related health disparities.

Strategies to Address Health Disparities

• Policy approaches: implementing universal healthcare to reduce barriers; increasing funding for health education and community health initiatives.
• Community programs: examples of grassroot interventions like community health mobile clinics and nutritional support programs.
• Healthcare providers' role: understanding patients' social backgrounds and tailoring care.

Key Takeaways

• Social determinants play a significant role in shaping health outcomes.
• Collaborative analysis helps deepen understanding of complex health scenarios.
• Considering social factors is essential for ethical and effective healthcare practice.

Understanding Social Inequalities in Health

• Social inequalities in health refer to differences in health outcomes arising from social, economic, and environmental factors.
• Healthcare professional's role includes recognizing inequalities, identifying contributing social determinants, and implementing inclusive care practices.

Role of Healthcare Professionals in Addressing Inequalities

• Healthcare professionals should be aware of factors like income, education, and living conditions.
• Understanding how these factors influence patient health and access to healthcare is essential.
• Healthcare providers should tailor care to meet diverse patient needs and mitigate barriers.

The Importance of Cultural Competence in Healthcare

• Cultural competence involves understanding, respecting, and interacting effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Cultural competency builds trust and improves patient-provider communication.

How to Gain Trust with Patients/Clients

• Using the acronym G.A.T.H.E.R. (Greet, Ask, Tell, Help, Explain, Return).

Why Trust Matters

• Building trust improves patient-provider communication.
• Trust helps reduce disparities by delivering care aligned with cultural values and beliefs.

Advocacy in Promoting Health Equity

• Advocacy involves actively supporting policies, practices, and actions to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
• Types include policy advocacy (supporting legislation to improve healthcare access), patient advocacy (empowering patients to understand and manage their health), and community advocacy (partnering with communities).

Community Engagement for Health Equity

• Encouraging relationships between healthcare providers and communities.
• Promoting awareness and addressing community-specific health issues.
• Collaborating with local organizations for health screenings.

Strategies to Address Social Determinants of Health

• Patient education: educating patients on lifestyle, nutrition, and preventive healthcare, providing info on healthcare resources.
• Policy advocacy: supporting healthcare reforms that address social inequalities, advocating for programs that expand healthcare access to marginalized groups.
• Collaboration with community organizations

Examples of Practical Interventions

• Case study 1: Language barriers and health education; Providing Multilingual Resources, Pictorials and Culturally Relevant Education.
• Case study 2: Lack of access to healthy food; partner with local food banks or advocate for affordable food programs.
• Case study 3: Transportation barriers; organize mobile clinics or partner with transportation services for subsidized medical appointments.

Key Takeaways (2)

• Healthcare professionals play a critical role in recognizing and addressing health inequalities.
• Cultural competence, advocacy, and community engagement are essential for promoting health equity.
• Collaboration and practical strategies empower individuals and communities to address social determinants of health.

This quiz focuses on the intersection of behavioral sciences and ethics in healthcare. You will explore social determinants of health, health disparities, and the role of healthcare professionals in promoting health equity. Assess your understanding of how social patterns impact health outcomes.