Determinants of health 1

Running head: Exploring health benefits and determinants of health

Health Practices
Student: Shona Leach
Student number: 822 836 243
College: Humber
NURS 160
Professor: Mary
Date: October 9th, 2013

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As of August 2012 the average cost of produce has risen by 3 %( Stats Can). While
getting access to fast food has become increasingly easier. This coupled with the simple fact that
many people lack the social support network they need to live a balanced life, leaves them prey
to many illnesses. Given his information it is easy to connect the direct link between social
support networks and income to peoples health practices, and their determinants of health.
Thorough out this essay I will take and in-depth, reflective look at my own personal/cultural
health practices, and determinants of health, that has shaped my life thus far, then I will
compared my findings to someone of varying cultural background. I will also explore different
steps that I can take to expand, and better my health practices.
Health is defined as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being and is not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO 1948). This is a definition that I can identify with
because it encompasses vital elements that I relate to. For me health is a very personal issue, it is
not only a whole body, but also a whole person experience. It is a concept that includes all
aspects of whom a person is spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. If even one of
these factors is altered for me, then my entire state of health is compromised. This is because
logically all criterias that makes me who I am, are equally important. I see it as a domino effect,
if my spiritual state changes, that trickles down to alter my emotional state, which in turn alters
my mental state, and then my physical state. So if I am praying and in tune with my spiritual
side, I find that I am more calm, and peaceful, which make me feel happier, which then means
that mentally Im at a place where my mind is focus. Therefore I get better rest, and I am free of
anxiety, which is then reflected in my physical state because I can manage my time more
effectively, and my body shows little or no signs of stress.

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Beliefs are important they compel, direct, and drive you. I view life as a gift, one that
must be cherished, protected, and lived to the fullest. That being said when it comes to our
personal health I believe that it is important to do our due diligence to maintain and achieve
optimal health. I would say that I have a pretty full life. I work approximately 24 hours per week,
I am a full time student, single mother of two lovely boys, and my children engage in
extracurricular activities outside of school. Now on the flip side I participate in dance classes one
hour per week, attend the gym at least three days a week, cook four times per week, and keep a
semi active social life. The answer to how I can juggle all these things lead me to my first
determinant of health my social support network. Having such a vast group of family and friends
that I can count on for unwavering support is the key to my success, and maintaining a healthy
state. Having a good support system grants me the opportunity to fulfill my duties as a mother,
student, friend, daughter, and a person. While leaving me relatively stress free. As mentioned
above I am a single mother and sole financial support for my family. This leads to my second
determinant of health income. Though I wouldnt say that I am totally disadvantaged health wise
because of my income, I must be honest and say that some of my choices are limited because of
this. Choices such as where I can live, the type/brand of foods I can purchase, how much dental
coverage I have, among many others. One cannot help but notice that to eat healthier choices
today cost far more than the less healthy alternatives. A good example of how my choices are
limited due to income would be the fact that I have never been able to visit a regular dentist. I
have always gone to a school of dentistry for treatment because they charge about half of what an
established dental office would.

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Moreover coming from a Caribbean cultured background also plays an important role in
my health practices and beliefs. This affects my health in both positive and negative ways. From
an early age I can remember my mother using things around the house to treat my colds and cuts,
things such as lime/lemon on cuts and bruise, peppermint tea for stomach aches and this putrid
mixture of garlic, lemon, and hot water for colds. The list of my mothers home remedies is
endless. This is something that I incorporate in my life today as an adult; I always try to treat my
pain, symptoms, and illness at home before I consult a doctor. At times I even call my mother for
her advice on what I should do. As I reflect on this now, I think this could be partly to do with
fear of the unknown. I essentially believe that my mother and I are weary of the westernized way
of treatment, because of lack of knowledge on ingredients in medication, plus the fact that most
contain artificial substances. My family is also big on family functions, where we get together as
a unit once a month for Saturday dinner. During this time of bonding, we are feasting, and
indulging in alcohol. It is expected that all members of the family attend regularly, no exception
or excuses. This is something that I enjoy because it is a special time for us to reconnect, and
unwind from our busy lives. However these functions run very late, are fueled by alcohol
consumption, and Caribbean foods are known for their rich flavors, which can be accounted to
numerous spices that we season our foods with which is filled with salt. Hence this is something
that culturally affects my health practices.
Although my social network and my cultural background have attributed to many of my
positive health choices, a large gap remains on fully committing to a constant healthy living. I
make a conscious effort to make home cooked meals, exercise, and be informed about food
products. However, even with all these supporting factors during holidays, birthdays and or
special occasions (graduations, Saturday night dinner engagement parties etc) I tend to indulge

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on food and the festivities. As a result my sleep is off as well as my planned diet, and the amount
of time it takes to bounce back from these occasions usually takes at the minimum a couple days.
Given the fact that during these monthly events has become a big part of my life, it is also a way
of showing respect to my family and friends to participate in any celebration. These issues may
seem small but on a long term scale it most defiantly affects my overall health. Some strategies
Ive put in place to overcome these habits are not totally eliminating attending these monthly
functions but to pace myself and have everything in moderation. As well as to log my intake of
sleep, food, stress level. I believe that keeping track of those three things can begin to compass
me in the right direction especially to focus on my stress level, with running a tight schedule for
not only myself but my children. Therefore continuous self reflection, logging, and behavior
modification are something that I am beginning to implement in my life.
Perception is the neurological process of recognition and interpretation of sensory
stimuli based chiefly on memory (The Free Dictionary). I have often found that once you really
take a look at a situation from someone elses point of view, you usually find that you arent as
different as you originally perceived. This case was no exemption. Its important to outline that
even though we may be different in our beliefs, and approach to health, we are all coming from
predominantly the same place; a place of healing, wellness, and wanting to do right by our
bodies. When analyzing someone from a Tibetan background I found that we shared a few
things culturally in our approach to our health practices. Some of which include our belief in
home remedies,

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Everyone has a culture. To provide appropriate client care, the nurse must understand
her/his culture and that of the nursing profession. Many people say they do not have a culture,
but this is false. Each person has particular beliefs, values, biases etc. that he/she has learned, and
these elements affect the way people view and response to their world and other people (CNO,
2009). This is a very strong statement, one that holds very true, and as nurses we need to
constantly keep this concept in mind especially in such a diverse country such as Canada.