Using the Sociology-Ecological Model to Evaluate Social Determinants of Health
In what ways can health professionals use the SEM to address health disparities associated with the social determinants of health? How can health professionals use the SEM to implement effective interventions to improve health outcomes?
The social determinants of health are those unfair conditions in the social environment that affect how people live. These unfair conditions also increase the risk for illness and can reduce life expectancy. The inequitable distribution of various social determinants of health, such as substandard housing conditions or poverty, exacerbates health disparities. Yet, the social determinants of health are influenced by greater political and economic forces at the global, national, and local levels.
The SEM is useful for planning interventions that focus on social determinants. The model allows health professionals to consider individual health behaviors within a sociological context. The sociology-ecological context provides a whole-system approach to health and the built environment. Using an integrated sociology-ecological framework, health professionals can explore the role of substandard housing, poverty, or education in creating disparate health outcomes. Health professionals can also gain further insight for strategies to challenge society, the economic or political climate, and to transform inequitable environments.
For this Discussion,your instructor will assign you to groups. Review the articles assigned to your group and reflect on how various levels in the SEM may serve as an intervention for a health disparity.
Group A: Colorectal Cancer
Post by Day 3 an explanation of how you would apply the interpersonal and organizational levels of the Sociological Model for the prevention of collector cancer. Explain how these levels of the Sociological Model might contribute to or influence proposed interventions for colorectal cancer.
Remember to begin interaction with your colleagues in the Discussion no later than Day 5 and continue engaging through Day 7 by suggesting an alternative intervention not mentioned by your colleagues in Group B that applies to the organizational level of the Sociological Model.
Group B: HIV
Post by Day 3 an explanation of how you would apply the community, society, and/or policy levels of the Sociological Model for the prevention of HIV. Explain how these levels of the Sociological Model might contribute to or influence proposed interventions for HIV.
Remember to begin interaction with your colleagues in the Discussion no later than Day 5 and continue engaging through Day 7. Continue the Discussion by Day 5 and suggest an alternative intervention not mentioned by your colleagues in Group A that applies to the community, society, and/or policy levels of the Sociological Model.
