Determinants of Health
Introduction
According to The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, there are nine factors that should be considered when looking at population health. These nine items determine a population's state of health, and are not just having a doctor, or getting enough to eat. They are an interrelated network of socioeconomic factors key to our well being.
These factors are: Income and social status, Social support networks, Education, Employment and working conditions, Physical environments, Biology and genetic endowment, Personal health practices and coping skills, Healthy child development, and Health services.
Each one of these helps to provide a safe and supportive environment for us to live, work, play and hopefully thrive in. For the purpose of this paper I will look at Social Network, and Health Services as they relate to my community, Antigonish County.
Social Network
Our social network supports us through practical, emotional, and spiritual networking and comes in many forms in different communities. Antigonish is rich in a strong sense of community, and it is hard to feel alone or abandoned here.
· Community - "Everybody knows everybody here" - this is very true, and while it may at times seem like a burden, the up side is that you are never alone, and people watch out for each other. House fires, barn fires, accidents, deaths in the family, illness, and many other needs are simply taken care of by good hearted people pulling together to help, without question, without needing to be asked.
· Family - We are constantly asking "Who's your Father?" There is a strong awareness of family in the community, with multi-generational support. Grandparents take care of young children for working families, do cooking, washing, and sometimes provide temporary shelter for those in transition. Brothers and neighbours help each other out with fishing, wood cutting, farming and roof repairs just to name a few examples.There is emotional and practical support in a very real way for those who need it.
· Culture - Kitchen parties, dances, and suppers are held where people can gather, many of them on a regular weekly basis. Fundraisers are done in this way for those who are sick, or have other crisis in their lives. Social contact is encouraging, stimulating, and provides a welcome relief from lonliness as well as giving a sense of belonging, and identity. People are brought together in a spirit of community and friendship that is inspiring.
· Church - there are many churches in the community, and each of them seems to take on a certain part of the burden of need. Spiritual and practical support are offered and received somewhere here every day of the week. A soup kitchen feeds between thirty and fourty every Tuesday, one of the cheapest clothing stores anywhere provides nearly free clothes to those in need, and is run by the church.
I have never felt more surrounded by help and support than when I returned home to this community. I can truly say that it has made me a stronger person, more able to face life's challenges, and has helped to launch me into taking major and important steps in my life. I know this is true for many others, and feel that it is this social network that provides the support to make it possible.
Health Services
It is vital that a person feel safe and taken care of medically. That if they have needs or concerns about their health they know they can reach out and will be caught in a safety net. Worries about unaddressed health issues, or lingering health issues that become worse depleat a person's energy resources, and may actually lead to deteriorated health in a very real sense.
· Family Practice - Antigonish has excellent family practice coverage for those seeking a doctor. From all who I have talked to those who need to or want to see a doctor can. There is sometimes a wait period of a week, but not more than that. Several young doctors have been recruited into this community in the past 10 years, preparing to take the place of those planning to retire.
· After hours clinic - in addition, we have an after hours clinic where people can go if they are too sick to wait a week for an appointment, but not sick enough for the emergency room. Not every community has this service, and it provides a wonderful stop-gap for this category of patient. Our local family doctors take turns doing shifts here to keep it covered. Patients can feel secure that they will see a doctor the same day, and do not need to fill the emergency room with colds and minor scrapes. (although unfortunately this does not always stop some from taking this route!)
· St Martha's Hospital - is a large regional hospital with 24 hour service. They cover most of the bases, and for those in need of more serious care there is Care-flight to Halifax. The emergency room does have a waiting period, but they have a good triage system, and those in urgent need get seen immediately.
· St F X U student clinic - provides doctors on a drop in basis for students attending university from out of town who do not have a doctor here. Our local family doctors take turns doing shifts here to keep it covered.
· Women's centre - looks after women's needs for domestic crisis counseling, career counseling, and general women's health issues. There is a nurse examiner for rape victims, health clinics for women's issues, and general emotional support. The kettle is always on for those who want to talk to someone.
· Men's Centre - addresses men's health issues and offers standard screening tests. As well, they deal with anger management, family counselling, and some career or vocational direction. This centre was started by one of our local family doctors.
We have an encouraging and challenging group of medical professionals that work and play here. They mentor and inspire through their own lives and health, challenging us by their personal wellness ethic, and entertaining us and encouraging us to play through their music and acting at times!
We have a very diverse support system that covers nearly all of our health needs. Where there are gaps, they are few, and have solutions readily available within two hours’ drive.
We have a social network where people take care of each other, encourage each other, and teach each other. There is always something going on here, and there is a feeling that the welcome mat is out to all.
In conclusion, whether it is the rich cultural heritage that binds people together here, or the good medical support that picks up the pieces when things go wrong, we are fortunate in this community. There is a sense of strength and well being fostered by the closeness and support which allows people to stay healthy, creative, and even thriving.
According to The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, there are nine factors that should be considered when looking at population health. These nine items determine a population's state of health, and are not just having a doctor, or getting enough to eat. They are an interrelated network of socioeconomic factors key to our well being.
These factors are: Income and social status, Social support networks, Education, Employment and working conditions, Physical environments, Biology and genetic endowment, Personal health practices and coping skills, Healthy child development, and Health services.
Each one of these helps to provide a safe and supportive environment for us to live, work, play and hopefully thrive in. For the purpose of this paper I will look at Social Network, and Health Services as they relate to my community, Antigonish County.
Social Network
Our social network supports us through practical, emotional, and spiritual networking and comes in many forms in different communities. Antigonish is rich in a strong sense of community, and it is hard to feel alone or abandoned here.
· Community - "Everybody knows everybody here" - this is very true, and while it may at times seem like a burden, the up side is that you are never alone, and people watch out for each other. House fires, barn fires, accidents, deaths in the family, illness, and many other needs are simply taken care of by good hearted people pulling together to help, without question, without needing to be asked.
· Family - We are constantly asking "Who's your Father?" There is a strong awareness of family in the community, with multi-generational support. Grandparents take care of young children for working families, do cooking, washing, and sometimes provide temporary shelter for those in transition. Brothers and neighbours help each other out with fishing, wood cutting, farming and roof repairs just to name a few examples.There is emotional and practical support in a very real way for those who need it.
· Culture - Kitchen parties, dances, and suppers are held where people can gather, many of them on a regular weekly basis. Fundraisers are done in this way for those who are sick, or have other crisis in their lives. Social contact is encouraging, stimulating, and provides a welcome relief from lonliness as well as giving a sense of belonging, and identity. People are brought together in a spirit of community and friendship that is inspiring.
· Church - there are many churches in the community, and each of them seems to take on a certain part of the burden of need. Spiritual and practical support are offered and received somewhere here every day of the week. A soup kitchen feeds between thirty and fourty every Tuesday, one of the cheapest clothing stores anywhere provides nearly free clothes to those in need, and is run by the church.
I have never felt more surrounded by help and support than when I returned home to this community. I can truly say that it has made me a stronger person, more able to face life's challenges, and has helped to launch me into taking major and important steps in my life. I know this is true for many others, and feel that it is this social network that provides the support to make it possible.
Health Services
It is vital that a person feel safe and taken care of medically. That if they have needs or concerns about their health they know they can reach out and will be caught in a safety net. Worries about unaddressed health issues, or lingering health issues that become worse depleat a person's energy resources, and may actually lead to deteriorated health in a very real sense.
· Family Practice - Antigonish has excellent family practice coverage for those seeking a doctor. From all who I have talked to those who need to or want to see a doctor can. There is sometimes a wait period of a week, but not more than that. Several young doctors have been recruited into this community in the past 10 years, preparing to take the place of those planning to retire.
· After hours clinic - in addition, we have an after hours clinic where people can go if they are too sick to wait a week for an appointment, but not sick enough for the emergency room. Not every community has this service, and it provides a wonderful stop-gap for this category of patient. Our local family doctors take turns doing shifts here to keep it covered. Patients can feel secure that they will see a doctor the same day, and do not need to fill the emergency room with colds and minor scrapes. (although unfortunately this does not always stop some from taking this route!)
· St Martha's Hospital - is a large regional hospital with 24 hour service. They cover most of the bases, and for those in need of more serious care there is Care-flight to Halifax. The emergency room does have a waiting period, but they have a good triage system, and those in urgent need get seen immediately.
· St F X U student clinic - provides doctors on a drop in basis for students attending university from out of town who do not have a doctor here. Our local family doctors take turns doing shifts here to keep it covered.
· Women's centre - looks after women's needs for domestic crisis counseling, career counseling, and general women's health issues. There is a nurse examiner for rape victims, health clinics for women's issues, and general emotional support. The kettle is always on for those who want to talk to someone.
· Men's Centre - addresses men's health issues and offers standard screening tests. As well, they deal with anger management, family counselling, and some career or vocational direction. This centre was started by one of our local family doctors.
We have an encouraging and challenging group of medical professionals that work and play here. They mentor and inspire through their own lives and health, challenging us by their personal wellness ethic, and entertaining us and encouraging us to play through their music and acting at times!
We have a very diverse support system that covers nearly all of our health needs. Where there are gaps, they are few, and have solutions readily available within two hours’ drive.
We have a social network where people take care of each other, encourage each other, and teach each other. There is always something going on here, and there is a feeling that the welcome mat is out to all.
In conclusion, whether it is the rich cultural heritage that binds people together here, or the good medical support that picks up the pieces when things go wrong, we are fortunate in this community. There is a sense of strength and well being fostered by the closeness and support which allows people to stay healthy, creative, and even thriving.
