How to write an essay on Leading a Change in Healthcare

How to write an essay on Leading a Change in Healthcare

Poverty and Health

Poverty is a major cause of ill health and a major barrier to healthcare access across many nations. Poverty predisposes individuals to behaviors that hinder health including things like smoking, tobacco use, indulgence in drugs, and factors related to the level of education (Pampel et al., 2010). Socioeconomic status is the measure that differentiates the rich from the poor and is based on a stratification system measured by education, occupation, employment, income, and wealth. Evidence suggests that the influence of poverty on health goes beyond the purchase of goods and services that promote health to include aspects like eating unhealthy products and other unhealthy lifestyles (Pampel et al., 2010). Other behaviors like indulgence in drugs and participation in criminal activities are mostly observed in low-socioeconomic class individuals and significantly result in unhealthy living.

A lot of studies have analyzed the relationship between socioeconomic status and health with the most revealing inconclusive results. Most argue that poverty involves behaviors like smoking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating (Bitely, 2021). However, the level of education remains the most outstanding link between poverty and health (Pampel et al., 2010). For example, economists argue that low lifetime earning and the wealth of low- SES groups gives them less reason to invest in longevity (Pampel et al., 2010). Other arguments indicate that latent family traits, class distinctions, and lack of knowledge further contribute to unhealthy behavior among the poor (Bitely, 2021). Additionally, aspects like social support, peer influence, aids for healthy behavior, and community opportunities hinder the maintenance of healthy lifestyles among the poor (Pampel et al., 2010). Overall, the influence of poverty on health encompasses diverse underlying mechanisms apart from the commonly observed tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition.

Health Effects of Gentrification

Where people live, work, and play has a significant impact on their health. Gentrification is a housing, economic, and health issue that involves the transformation of neighborhoods from low to high value (Jelks et al., 2021). Gentrification influences health, well-being, and pathways like physical activity among most people in towns. Evidence suggests that gentrification has an impact on health including aspects of physical and mental health (Baker Institute For Public Policy, 2017). Other studies have focused on the factors that trigger gentrification and results indicate that recent attention to greening initiatives have sparkled gentrification both in large and small towns (Jelks et al., 2021).

To ascertain the influence of gentrification on health, a scoping review was conducted focusing on two areas including human health and pathways to health. Throughout the research process, 15 articles were identified to discuss the issue of gentrification with the majority focusing on major cities in the United States. The key findings from these studies led to a discussion of the relationship between green areas and physical activity, sense of community and belonging, green space safety, and self-reported well-being of individuals (Jelks et al., 2021). Other pathways to health that emerged during the study include improvement in air quality and reduced access to land uses for food. Apart from these positives, it was evident that gentrification can attract newcomers to marginalized neighborhoods leading to increased housing that negatively affects the health of low-income groups. Overall, gentrification leads to mixed impacts on the health, health-pathways, and well-being of individuals.

 

References

Baker Institute For Public Policy. (2017, September 29). Exploring the impact of gentrification on health (Video file). You tube. https://youtu.be/FNTYiDz32JI

Bitely, J. (2021. February). How poverty contributes to poor health (Video file). You tube. https://youtu.be/fTCEQUhdZPc

Jelks, N. O., Jennings, V., & Rigolon, A. (2021). Green gentrification and health: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030907

Pampel, F. C., Krueger, P. M., & Denney, J. T. (2010). Socioeconomic disparities in health behaviors. Annual Review of Sociology, 36, 349–370. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.012809.102529

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