What Is Social Health


When asked what social health is, people often get confused. By the term social health, we mean two totally different things. You could either mean the health of a person and his related ability to interact socially or how our society is faring as an entity

 

Ask yourself what is social health? What are the possible answers that you can come up with? Yes, you are correct. Social Health implies to your social interaction. This means a healthy and active participation in all the activities going in your society. This is a huge process in itself which has a procedure. If you have a loving relationship at home, only then you can go ahead and establish a similar relationship with others in your neighborhood. You need to have old as well as make new friends and interact with them on a regular basis. Establishing cordial relationships with multiple entities in your vicinity is the key to maintain successful social health. These activities make a person important and active part of the society.

 

When we inquire about the health of a person, we take into account only the physical and metal health of a person. The last kind and also one of the most important, social health is ignored. It is equally important to notice that while a person may be of sound mental and physical health but his ability to interact socially may be questionable. Human beings are social animals. For years, our ancestors have roamed the earth in groups helping each other and trying to make a living with whatever was available. Even today, we do the same. We inhabit locations where there are other people for us to get help and exist harmoniously.

 

There is one more interpretation of what is social health. By this term, we mean that if our society is taken as a body then social health will be a merger of both physical as well as mental health. The way people think acts as an indicator of the social health of a society. Also, the rate of crime, corruption, greed and even poverty are all indicators of the social health of a society. A society where drugs, cocaine, marijuana and such addictive products find their way to children is not regarded as a healthy society. This is one major reason of social health gaining such importance in our lives and our well being.

 

Social determinants of health

Till now, we have discussed “what is social health” in general as well as various indicators of social health. Let us now explore different determinants of social health. These include many social and economic conditions which affect our health directly or indirectly. To put it differently, these conditions are not ‘individual conditions’ but societal conditions which prevail in the society. These determinants affect an individual’s health, country’s health and related jurisdiction. The SDOH National Conference list is unique as it specifically focuses on the public policy environment (e.g., income and its distribution) rather than characteristics associated with individuals (e.g. income and social status).

·        Aboriginal status

·        early life

·        disability status

·        education

·        employment and working conditions

·        food security

·        gender

·        health care services

·        housing

·        income and its distribution

·        racism

·        social safety net

·        social exclusion

·        Unemployment and employment security.

 

American Social Health Association

Established in the year 1914, The American Social Health Association (ASHA) is an American non-profit organization which has been involved in improving the health with a center of attention on putting a stop to Sexually Transmitted Diseases and infections (STDs/STI) and their dangerous consequences in the society. ASHA provides tips for reducing STD risk and offers suggestions on talking with health care providers and partners about STD testing and diagnoses. The decision to concentrate on the sexual diseases was decided because in US alone, 19 million new cases are registered on a yearly basis.

 

What is social health is not merely a question but a grave issue to ponder on. In order to remain a healthy and active participant in the society, one has to be fit. Fit not only in terms of physical and mental health but also social health. No matter how well you are make an endeavor to go out and see for yourself how you can contribute to your social health.



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