SH5008QA Enhancing Public Health Assignment Sample

• Type Assignment
• Downloads564
• Pages12
• Words3065

Introduction: Enhancing Public Health and Managing Social Determinants

Improving the health of the population is very essential for any community or country to grow and develop. Within the country, there are many different types of health issues and problems that the people face. Hence, the country and other healthcare settings must try to manage these issues well. The current essay is based on analysing the different social determinants of health that are coming in the way of a long-term plan for managing childhood obesity. Within the area of managing child obesity, there are many determinants which impact the working greatly. This analysis also highlights key points that are often discussed in UK assignment help resources. Thus, the current essay will outline the different types of determinants which can affect the working of the NHS obesity plan. Also, the solution relating to managing this determinant will be provided at last.

Main Body

Another important aspect influencing childhood obesity is community and cultural environment. Children growing up in communities where unhealthy food options are readily available or where physical activity is limited are more likely to develop obesity. Cultural norms and family eating habits also play a role in shaping children’s lifestyle choices. Addressing these factors alongside other social determinants is essential for the NHS to achieve its long-term obesity reduction targets, as it ensures a more holistic approach to improving children’s health outcomes.

Social determinants of health stand in the way of the NHS

The social determinants of health (SDH) are defined as a certain type of condition which is present in the environment within which the person lives. It includes certain different types of factors which can have a significant impact and influence on health, and it can be both positive and negative. Thus, the different types of social determinants of health can affect or foster the development of people and provide them with a better type of base so that they can develop an effective base for improvement (Whitman et al, 2022). Analysing and researching the different types of social determinants is very necessary for the better working of society. These social determinants impact the working of the country greatly, and ultimately, the overall efficiency is affected. In case social determinants are positive, then it will improve the working and health conditions of the country. On the other side, in case the social determinants are negatively affecting the working, then it will be creating a negative impact, and working will be affected in a negative sense.

SH5008QA Enhancing Public Health Assignment Sample

Liked This Sample? Hire Me Now

Christian Wise 7 Years | PhD

The whole community will be creating a negative impact on the working, and as a result of this, the efficiency of the society will be impacted. In the current lifestyle, childhood obesity is increasing, and because of this, the health conditions among children are deteriorating. According to the research, in 2022/23, approximately 26.8 % of children aged 2-15 are obese (One in eight toddlers and primary school-aged children obese, 2024). Along with this, the statistics published in the NHS survey stated that 1 in every eight children aged between 2-10 is obese. With the increase in obesity, there are many different types of negative effects created on the health condition of the child. For example, when there is excess weight then, it can cause pain and injuries in the knees, back, joints and hips. Also, excessive weight can result in the development of breathing conditions, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and many other different types of conditions (Kumanyika, 2022). All these condition creates a negative impact on the working conditions of the children and the whole society as well.

For managing obesity among children, the NHS is organising and completing the NHS Long Term Plan Targets for reducing childhood obesity. The NHS is the healthcare setting which works for the development of better health conditions for the residents of the country. On a similar note, the NHS is also working to protect children from the harmful effects of obesity. NHS is working hard to solve the issue of obesity, but there are certain determinants of health which affect the working greatly. There is a wide range of social determinants of health, and this can affect the process of reducing obesity by NHS. The different kinds of determinants which impact the working of NHS obesity target are as follows-

• Education: This is a determinant of social health, and the company must manage the work of the NHS in managing obesity. However, education as a social determinant is restricting the working capability and affecting the status of NHS in meeting the required target. This is because of the reason that when children do not have access to education, then it can impact their mindset, and as a result, they will not be able to have proper knowledge relating to obesity. Within the framework of SH5008QA Enhancing Public Health, understanding education as a social determinant is crucial for designing effective interventions. Along with this, if the children are not educated then they will not know about healthy diet, exercising and other related aspect. Thus, as a result of this, the overall efficiency will be impacted, and ultimately, the children not having easy access to education will be facing the issue of obesity. Thus, this will create issues for the NHS in accomplishing the task better.
• Income and social protection: Another determinant of health is income, which is the income level of the child and family also affects the working of the plans of NHS in controlling the working better. When the children and their family income is low, then they cannot afford better and healthy food (Milliken-Smith and Potter, 2021). Also, they do not have enough money to use for enrolling their children for health and weight management. Within SH5008QA Enhancing Public Health, analysing income and social protection helps identify barriers to accessing healthy food and healthcare facilities for children.Thus, as a result of this, the children face the issue of obesity. Moreover, due to a lack of money, good healthcare facilities cannot be availed, and ultimately, it will be creating effects on obesity among children.
• Availability of resource: This is another factor or determinant of health which assists the person in managing and maintaining good health. This is because of the reason that when people have enough resources, then they will be capable of managing and maintaining good health. But when the children and their families do not have proper access to the resources, then their health is affected to a great extent (Iguacel et al, 2021). It is due to the reason that the lack of resources restricts the children from making use of the facilities provided by the different types of healthcare providers. It is due to the reason that when the resources are effectively used, then it improves the child’s capability to manage the work better, and ultimately, the work will be improved.
• Unemployment and job security: When the parents of the children are unemployed, then there is a higher probability that the child will be classified as overweight or obese. This is particularly the reason that when the parents are unemployed, then they will not have proper money to feed their children (Parental Unemployment during the Great Recession and Childhood adiposity, 2025). Hence, this can result in children facing the issue of obesity. It is due to the reason that for providing a healthy and nutritious diet, effective money must be present with the family so that they can appropriately make use of the money to provide a healthy diet to the children.
• Food insecurity: Food insecurity is defined as the level of the economic and social condition of the household being limited and no certainty is present relating to access to adequate food. This is necessary for the reason that when the effective type of food security is present with the child, then they can easily have access to better food facilities. Moreover, when the children do not have access to feedback, then it will increase the issue of obesity among the children (Badalov et al, 2022). This SDH affects the working of the NHS's long-term plan for obesity, as when the children do not have access to food security, the NHS will not be able to provide for them.
• Housing, basic amenities: This is another determinant of social health, which states that having effective access to housing and basic amenities is needed to comply with the NHS obesity reduction target. This is also a determinant which impacts the success of the NHS in controlling obesity among children. In case the children have equitable access to housing and other amenities, then they can easily get the benefit of the NHS long-term plan for obesity reduction. On the other side, when people do not have equitable access to housing and other basic facilities, then they cannot access the facilities provided by NHS as well (Emmons and Chambers, 2021). This is because of the reason that when obesity needs to be maintained effectively, then there must be equitable access given to every person so that better results can be gained. But in actuality, the discrimination takes place and ultimately, it affects the people taking up the services from NHS. It is due to the reason that based on religion, income class and many other bases, equitable housing facilities and access to other basic amenities are not provided. Thus, as a result of this, the overall working and access to the health and obesity management plan by NHS is impacted greatly.
• Early childhood development: This is another social determinant of health, which includes information relating to the early childhood development of children. In case the early development of a child does not take place effectively, then they will have many different issues with their health. It is due to the reason that in case during early childhood, the child has gained rapid and excessive weight, then it will increase the risk of obesity, and it cannot be controlled effectively (Rosenblatt et al, 2021). Thus, the NHS plan for long-term control of obesity, such type of children will face issues. So it is necessary for the NHS to first develop some awareness among the children to undertake some physical activities and then become part of the NHS long-term plan.

Overcoming the SDH for meeting obesity reduction target

With the above analysis, it is clear that NHS need to work on social determinants of health so that it is beneficial for them to manage obesity in children. It is the reason that currently, obesity is very high, and to manage it, NHS is continuously working on implementing different steps. Within the context of SH5008QA Enhancing Public Health, it is essential to develop targeted strategies that address these social determinants effectively, ensuring better outcomes in childhood obesity reduction.However, the different social determinants of health are affecting the working of the NHS and creating different roadblocks in the way of attaining the objectives of reducing obesity. Thus, there are many different strategies through which the social determinants of health can be handled positively (Kepper et al, 2023). This is necessary for the reason that managing these social determinants will assist the NHS in attaining the objectives of reducing obesity. Thus, some of the recommended ways for overcoming the issue of not being able to manage the obesity reduction target are as follows-

• The first and foremost step in managing and improving the attainment of the NHS long-term plan childhood obesity reduction target is to enhance equality among the people well. Irrespective of social class, race, gender, age and many other different factors, every person must have easy access to healthcare facilities (Vilar-Compte et al, 2022). When equitable access is provided to every person, then they can avail the facilities of the NHS long-term plan very easily. Hence, for this, it is necessary for the NHS and other related healthcare bodies to effectively try to provide equal rights to all people to manage better work. It is crucial for the reason that when there is equality present, then it will assist all the people to effectively try to manage and improve the working.
• Along with this, compliance with the social cognitive theory (SCT) can also be helpful to NHS in managing and meeting its target of obesity reduction. This theory emphasises the fact human behaviour is directed by three different types of aspects that is personal factors, environmental factors and behaviour. All these three aspects impact the behaviour and mindset of the person (Aaron and Stanford, 2021). Thus, by improving the environmental influence, the NHS can try to motivate children to follow a happy and healthy life. Also, the NHS employees can try to manage and improve the mindset of the children to work for maintaining a healthy life by uptaking good and nutritious food. NHS can influence personal factors and try to attract children to enrol in the initiatives taken by the NHS and try to control obesity and attain the targets set in the long-term plan.
• Further, another measure that the NHS can undertake for the improvement of obesity control is to improve the eating habits of the children. For this, NHS can organise a campaign which will focus on sharing knowledge relating to good eating habits. This can further include NHS working and making posters and templates which will highlight the different foods which are healthy and good for the people (Gómez et al, 2021). Ultimately, with the help of this poster and other material, all the children will be able to understand the importance of a good and healthy lifestyle. Thus, as a result of this, the overall capability will be improved. Further, by way of campaigns and posters, many different messages will be shared and will motivate the children to effectively try to manage and improve the overall work.
• In addition to this, the NHS can also try to organise different fitness campaigns and other related events which will help the children understand the importance of physical exercises for reducing obesity. It is necessary for the reason that when the effective type of knowledge will be developed of the children relating to exercise, then it will be beneficial for managing the working well (Millender et al, 2021). It is necessary because when the NHS shares the knowledge relating to physical exercises and other easy types of exercise, then it will help the children develop an interest in participating in the exercise and continue in future as well.
• Moreover, NHS can also comply with the application of the social-ecological model for the improvement of the interest of children towards the reduction of obesity. This theory states that it is necessary to understand the various factors which affect the behaviour of the person and how successful programmes can be built through social environments (Kino et al, 2021). This theory emphasises the different types of levels relating to influence, which can be done on different bases like on an individual basis, at the organisation level, based on public policy or any other different types of the interpersonal level as well. Thus, this social-ecological model is assistive to NHS in the plan for making a consistent social change of developing the knowledge of children towards reducing obesity and trying to improve health to a great extent.

Conclusion

Lastly, it is concluded that according to the current lifestyle and trends, obesity among children is increasing rapidly. Many children are having the issue of obesity, and as a result of this, their overall capability is affected, and their health is also impacted. The above analysis evaluated that NHS is facing many different issues in attaining their objective of reducing obesity. These factors include some social determinants of health like education, income, healthcare access and many other different variables. All these aspects restrict the children from effectively complying with the NHS's long-term plan for obesity reduction. Along with this, the overcoming measures were also discussed in the essay, which helps in managing these issues well. It included the application of theories like social cognitive theory, social-ecological model and many other measures like organising campaigns and others.

References

• Aaron, D.G. and Stanford, F.C., 2021. Is obesity a manifestation of systemic racism? A ten‐point strategy for study and intervention. Journal of Internal Medicine, 290(2), pp.416-420.
• Badalov, E., Blackler, L., Scharf, A.E., Matsoukas, K., Chawla, S., Voigt, L.P. and Kuflik, A., 2022. COVID-19 double jeopardy: the overwhelming impact of the social determinants of health. International Journal for Equity in Health, 21(1), p.76.
• Emmons, K.M. and Chambers, D.A., 2021. Policy implementation science–an unexplored strategy to address social determinants of health. Ethnicity & disease, 31(1), p.133.
• Gómez, C.A., Kleinman, D.V., Pronk, N., Gordon, G.L.W., Ochiai, E., Blakey, C., Johnson, A. and Brewer, K.H., 2021. Addressing health equity and social determinants of health through healthy people 2030. Journal of public health management and practice, 27(Supplement 6), pp.S249-S257.
• Iguacel, I., Gasch-Gallen, A., Ayala-Marin, A.M., De Miguel-Etayo, P. and Moreno, L.A., 2021. Social vulnerabilities as risk factor of childhood obesity development and their role in prevention programs. International journal of obesity, 45(1), pp.1-11.
• Kepper, M.M., Walsh‐Bailey, C., Prusaczyk, B., Zhao, M.I.N., Herrick, C. and Foraker, R., 2023. The adoption of social determinants of health documentation in clinical settings. Health services research, 58(1), pp.67-77.
• Kino, S., Hsu, Y.T., Shiba, K., Chien, Y.S., Mita, C., Kawachi, I. and Daoud, A., 2021. A scoping review on the use of machine learning in research on social determinants of health: Trends and research prospects. SSM-population Health, 15, p.100836.
• Kumanyika, S.K., 2022. Advancing health equity efforts to reduce obesity: changing the course. Annual review of nutrition, 42(1), pp.453-480.
• Millender, E., Barile, J.P., Bagneris, J.R., Harris, R.M., De Faria, L., Wong, F.Y., Crusto, C.A. and Taylor, J.Y., 2021. Associations between social determinants of health, perceived discrimination, and body mass index on symptoms of depression among young African American mothers. Archives of psychiatric nursing, 35(1), pp.94-101.
• Milliken-Smith, S. and Potter, C.M., 2021. Paternal origins of obesity: Emerging evidence for incorporating epigenetic pathways into the social determinants of health framework. Social Science & Medicine, 271, p.112066.
• Rosenblatt, R., Lee, H., Liapakis, A., Lunsford, K.E., Scott, A., Sharma, P. and Wilder, J., 2021. Equitable access to liver transplant: bridging the gaps in the social determinants of health. Hepatology, 74(5), pp.2808-2812.
• Vilar-Compte, M., Gaitán-Rossi, P., Félix-Beltrán, L. and Bustamante, A.V., 2022. Pre-COVID-19 social determinants of health among Mexican migrants in Los Angeles and New York City and their increased vulnerability to unfavorable health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Immigrant and Minority health, pp.1-13.
• Whitman, A., De Lew, N., Chappel, A., Aysola, V., Zuckerman, R. and Sommers, B.D., 2022. Addressing social determinants of health: Examples of successful evidence-based strategies and current federal efforts. Off Heal Policy, 1, pp.1-30.