The Effect of Social Determinants of Health on Type Two Diabetes
Often in public health, socioeconomic status (SES) is utilized to assess an individual or community’s positionality and social standing regarding the type of resources and care that are made accessible. Those who have high SES tend to more easily obtain quality care or living in areas that allow them to live higher-quality lives. This notion is supported by what the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines as the social determinants of health, which contribute to the condition in which a person lives. These circumstances are impacted by a person’s environment and the amount of money, power, and resources accessible. Those considered to have low SES face health disparities that can impact their quality of life and well being. Health disparities may include limited access to quality health care, access to nutritious food, and exercise, which can impact the overall health of an individual. Because of this, the prevalence of certain diseases disproportionately affect low income communities, with type two diabetes being one of the leading health risks that target low income communities — the CDC has found there to be increased rates of type 2 diabetes in areas that are impacted by low SES.
Those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to develop type two diabetes because access to quality healthcare is stratified, meaning that access to healthcare is contingent upon the amount of resources and capital a person has. Low SES communities are also at higher risk of earlier deaths or experiencing premature complications. A study done in 2020 found that the prevalence of diabetes is attributable to one’s socioeconomic status because type two diabetes prevalence was significantly higher in communities with lower income, lower high school graduation rates, single-parent households, and crowded housing. A randomized study conducted in 2011 illustrates the impact of a neighborhood as a lived environment and social determinant on health outcomes. They found that over 4,000 working class mothers who were living in poverty stricken public housing, who then moved to neighborhoods that were associated with higher SES, slowly impacted their families’ health and wellness. Moving from a high-poverty area to a low-poverty census tract, were associated with reduced prevalence of obesity and diabetes after a ten to fifteen year follow up.
Those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to develop type two diabetes because access to quality healthcare is stratified, meaning that access to healthcare is contingent upon the amount of resources and capital a person has. Low SES communities are also at higher risk of earlier deaths or experiencing premature complications. A study done in 2020 found that the prevalence of diabetes is attributable to one’s socioeconomic status because type two diabetes prevalence was significantly higher in communities with lower income, lower high school graduation rates, single-parent households, and crowded housing. A randomized study conducted in 2011 illustrates the impact of a neighborhood as a lived environment and social determinant on health outcomes. They found that over 4,000 working class mothers who were living in poverty stricken public housing, who then moved to neighborhoods that were associated with higher SES, slowly impacted their families’ health and wellness. Moving from a high-poverty area to a low-poverty census tract, were associated with reduced prevalence of obesity and diabetes after a ten to fifteen year follow up.
Social determinants of health are a variety of factors that make up a person’s lived experiences and conditions, which are shaped by the distribution of resources, money, power etc and contribute to disparities and inequities in public health.
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Stability in terms of housing, health care, income, and access to a healthy diet and exercise is associated with people of higher socioeconomic status; thus diabetes tends to be less of a risk. A social determinant, which can directly affect the risk of type two diabetes, is the environment and community in which a person lives. In relation to developing type two diabetes, for example those living in low income/low socioeconomic areas, are less likely to have direct access to affordable grocers that carry nutritional food, in turn reducing their ability to choose healthier options. The social determinants of health serve as a basis for understanding how socioeconomic status contributes to diabetes-related outcomes. Factors such as unhealthy behaviors, economic and social conditions, policy and social norms, environmental influences, and inadequate health care are thought to contribute to this risk.
On a larger scale, they can help us understand how inequities in living and working conditions and the environments in which people live have direct impacts on their health and well-being. Addressing health disparities by first looking at the fundamental and structural components that determine and affect one’s health is crucial to dismantling and breaking down the barriers in place that prevent every community and person from living a healthy, quality life. Working to address these issues and provide equitable and sustaining solutions to communities can contribute to an overall better, healthier life, including a decrease in susceptibility to diseases such as type two diabetes.
On a larger scale, they can help us understand how inequities in living and working conditions and the environments in which people live have direct impacts on their health and well-being. Addressing health disparities by first looking at the fundamental and structural components that determine and affect one’s health is crucial to dismantling and breaking down the barriers in place that prevent every community and person from living a healthy, quality life. Working to address these issues and provide equitable and sustaining solutions to communities can contribute to an overall better, healthier life, including a decrease in susceptibility to diseases such as type two diabetes.
Featured Image Source: Nataliya Vaitkevich
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