Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “the state of total health: not only the absence of illness and infirmity but the presence of optimal levels of health related to size, age, health, ethnicity, and lifestyle.” A number of definitions have also been used over time. Some are more appropriate than others when it comes to describing health. The American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and the Public Health Service are some of the organizations that define good health.
Societal stress has been considered a factor in the increasing occurrence of health conditions. There are various studies that highlight the relationship between social conditions and health status, such as obesity, depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. In addition, there is also an increase in the occurrence of diseases linked to high levels of stress. Therefore, maintaining a healthy psychological state is important to avoid the onset of diseases such as heart problems and diabetes.
One way to evaluate the influence of social determinants on health status is through the use of the questionnaire. A questionnaire collects data regarding the sociodemographic determinants, personal factors, and other relevant lifestyle choices. Data are analyzed to determine the effect of these determinants on health status. Researchers use statistical methods and qualitative methods to assess the quality of the results. They also conduct researches to determine the determinants that have stronger effects on health status.
When evaluating the influence of socioeconomic status on health status, researchers examine two aspects. First, they ask people to rank their level of socioeconomic status as good, poor or worse. Second, they use data from public policies that aim to promote good health through programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Studies show that poor socioeconomic status has been associated with poor health outcomes. However, when these studies were adjusted for other factors such as health expectations, exercise, and caloric intake, they revealed that poor health consequences were actually caused by other factors such as poor socioeconomic status.
The second aspect that is examined involves the relationship between environmental factors and illness. Researchers divide illnesses into two categories: mental illnesses and physical illnesses. Mental illnesses occur when a person experiences a cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to process information, make decisions, and learn from experiences. Mental illnesses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, and other disorders. Physical illnesses, on the other hand, include heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The relation between environment and health was examined using a sample of industrial workers in two industries: food processing and manufacturing and nonfood manufacturing. After controlling for multiple potential confounders, the study found that there is a strong and positive relationship between illness and exposure to poor occupational safety practices and self-rated health. The findings suggest that although the main article is about stress and its relation to illness, the results should be considered as a rough guide to the general relationship between stress and health. In addition, this study is useful for current workers, as well as future workers considering improving their wellbeing through better ergonomics, work efficiency, and safety. By making employees aware of the potential dangers of poor ergonomics practices and increasing awareness of their own health, employers can decrease the number of work-related illnesses while also providing higher compensation for workers who are injured or ill at work.