Please comment on this Discussion Post: How do the social determinants of health factor into your previous or current nursing practice? As a nurse, I have looked after patients including single parents, isolated older people, indigenous youth and people with mental health and addiction, in addition to nonstatus refugees. Those subgroups of population, who have lower socioeconomic status living and working in deteriorating conditions, have a higher exposure to risk factors for disease. After assessing their social history, I often refer them to social workers or local support services. I help them access to these services and act as a reliable resource throughout the process. What implications would be the social determinants of health(SDOH) have on a client living with chronic kidney disease? Most clients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) struggle with some social challenges such as unemployment, financial issues, social isolation, food insecurity, and depression (Brown, J.S., 2021). In addition, Brown (2021) indicates that an individual`s income, education and occupation have a strong correlation with the prevalence and progression of CKD. For instance, we often educate clients with CKD to improve their lifestyle and diet. Wilkinson & Marmot (2003)indicate that “ a good diet and adequate food supply are central for promoting health and well-being” (p.26). However, a client with lower incomes is more likely to experience food insecurity (Brown, 2021). By understanding SDOH factors related to people with CKD, as primary health care givers, we need to proactively screen and assess every client`s SDOH, develop individual strategies to support or help each individual with CKD to slow CKD progression and improve quality of their lives. How do make links with your individual experiences? I noticed that I, as an individual, am often not in control of the SDOH factors that may make me sick or unhealthy. For example, current soaring housing prices and Canada cost of living crisis could lead me to suboptimal nutrition, reduced physical activity, and even develop mild depression. Those poor social and economic circumstances will greatly impact people, including my own, health throughout life. Also, soaring housing prices causes more social stratification. Wealth homeowners become richer, while the number of poor people and homelessness has been increasing. Wilkinson & Marmot shows in their social determinants of health fact (2003) that “Societies with high levels of income inequality tend to have less social cohesion and more violent crime” (p22). While earning relatively decent wage, I still feel the emotional stress from current poor socioeconomic circumstances. I could not imagine how people with minimal wage live in the society. Those social economic inequalities will be great impact on people`s health, especially on those people with chronic diseases. (Wilkinson & Marmot, 2003, p23) References Wilkinson, R. G., & Marmot, M. (2003). Social determinants of health: The solid facts (2nd ed.). World Health Organization Europe. This is my comment please add source and continue : Thank you for insightful discussion we share the same experience I work as a harm reduction worker and I have also witnessed how social determinants of health played an important factor in attaining optimum level of health ……….. In my experience as a Hemodialysis Nurse in my country the Philippines I have witnessed some clients unable to follow their hemodialysis schedule because they cant offered doing it three times a week instead they cut off to twice a week, some could not buy their medications they need which greatly affect their heAlth………. In regards to my personal experience, I am on my maternity leave and am not receiving the same wage i was receiving before I also have to cut back on some of the expenses to meet my families needs. I do agree that we cant control SDOH….
