JOANNA TALOTTA B. SC, MRT (R)
This week, we dive into learning about the spheres of influence on health and how focusing on various social determinants of health can impact the overall health in a community
Unit 4: Multilevel Approaches to Understanding Health -
Beyond the Individual
Ethics and Spheres of Influence in Addressing Social Determinants of Health
(Peer Reviewed Article)
This journal explains the concept of spheres of influence and how the care of the patient is greatly influenced by clinicians, health care organizations, and the community/society
Barriers to addressing the societal determinants of health: public health units and poverty in Ontario, Canada
(Peer Reviewed Article)
This journal article focuses on Ontario’s focus on downstream behavioral change strategies rather than broader societal determinants of health, as experienced in its approach to addressing it’s heart health promotion campaign. This downstream focus has proven to be ineffective, if the upstream societal determinants aren’t also addressed.
Primary Health Care and Public Health: Foundations of Universal Health Systems
(Peer Reviewed Article)
This journal article shares the importance of both primary health care and public health care when looking at the overall health of a community. The combination of the two not only addresses health care for a patient population that is acutely ill, but also looks at the importance of other factors such as education, health promotion and disease prevention, safe water, as well as promoting and protecting good health and restoring good health when it is impaired by disease or injury. Other topics addressed are the concept of “Healthy public policy”, in which “health” must be on the agenda of all government ministries as well as the importance of the Socioeconomic Model and how “complementary interventions at several levels is more likely to achieve and sustain success over time than a single intervention”.
A new way to Think about Health Equity: Understanding Spheres of Influence and Concern
(Website)
This article touches on the importance of focusing health equity on the most vulnerable in a community to improve the overall health of a society. Additionally, it focuses on the differences between spheres of influence and spheres of concern – wherein spheres of influence can be limited to address by a heath care system participant.
Current state: A reactive “sick” care system based on an episodic acute care model
(Website)
This article is focusing on the importance of proactive care to help battle the ever increasing incidence of chronic illness. By addressing proactive and predictive care solution will stop the onset of illness.
