Challenge the traditional belief that increasing access to medical care will improve health
Essay that Your Learning Resources this week challenge the traditional belief that increasing access to medical care will improve health. In fact, much of this course will challenge the notion that medical care or primary prevention is the answer that will solve the world’s population health problems. While prevention and health care do play a role, they are not a “cure” for population health. The alternative way of perceiving population health introduced in The Spirit Level and the course media contradicts these long-held beliefs. As you focus your attention on the various determinants of health, think about how you can contribute to social change, locally or even globally, to improve population health. To prepare for this Discussion, review the week’s Learning Resources, including the media elements. Pay particular attention to the episode of Unnatural Causes. By Day 4 Post a brief explanation of how broader population-focused determinants, which influence health inequalities and inequities, challenge the traditional approach for assessing population health. Then, explain your personal reaction to the concept of considering population determinants to measure population health. Expand on your insights utilizing the Learning Resources. Resources: Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2010). The spirit level: Why greater equality makes societies stronger. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Press. • “Notes on Graphs” (pp. xix–xxi) • Chapter 1, “The End of an Era” (pp. 3–14) • Chapter 2, “Poverty or Inequality?” (pp. 15–30) • Chapter 3, “How Inequality Gets Under the Skin” (pp. 31–45) Gehlert, S., Sohmer, D., Sacks, T., Mininger, C., McClintock, M., & Olopade, O. (2008). Targeting health disparities: a model linking upstream determinants to downstream interventions. Health Affairs (Project Hope), 27(2), 339-349. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.339 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2013). Foundation health measures. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/about/tracking.aspx WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Executive summary. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/social_determinants/final_report/csdh_finalreport_2008.pdf Herbes-Sommers, C. (Producer), & Smith, L. M. (Director). (2008). Health in America [Video excerpt]. In L. Adelman (Executive producer), Unnatural causes: Episode 1—In sickness and in wealth. United States: Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved from http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/video_clips_detail.php?res_id=213
