{"id":376,"date":"2022-04-05T04:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-05T04:10:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-09-04T23:56:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-04T15:56:23","slug":"what-influences-health-and-what-can-bring-about-change-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/what-influences-health-and-what-can-bring-about-change-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What Influences Health And What Can Bring About Change?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s more to good health than most people realize. In honour of World Health Day <\/em>which is on April 7, we just published an article on, What does it mean to be healthy?<\/em><\/a> <\/em>It\u2019s clear that physical health, mental health, emotional well-being and overall wellness are all tied together.<\/p>\n

Your general well-being, chances of suffering from certain illnesses, and overall longevity are all connected to a variety of factors which can change throughout the course of your life. While genetics and lifestyle habits certainly have a role to play in your long-term wellness, your health is also shaped by society, your access to education, the state of your relationships, and many other complex elements.<\/p>\n

Health isn\u2019t just something we pursue when speaking to a doctor, or taking our daily supplements<\/a>. Health is a dynamic concept fed and influenced by our communities, schools, workplaces, relationships, state of mind and surroundings.<\/p>\n

In celebration of World Health Day<\/em>, we\u2019re exploring some of the most significant factors that can influence your health, and how you can bring about positive change.<\/p>\n

What Determines Your Health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As public health experts<\/a> often advise, our health is largely determined by the social, cultural, economic, and physical environments we live in. Everything from your access to healthy food and water, to the kind of pollutants you\u2019re exposed to at work each day will determine how healthy you\u2019re likely to be in the long term.<\/p>\n

According to the Health Foundation\u2019s study on the \u201csocial determinants of health<\/a>\u201d, the endless series of factors which contribute to our health also don\u2019t act in isolation. All of these determinants are woven together in a mutually reinforcing way.<\/p>\n

For instance, if you don\u2019t do well at school, you\u2019re less likely to have a high-paying job, access to good housing and healthy food when you\u2019re older. However, the reason you don\u2019t do well at school could be because you have a poor home environment, or because your community doesn\u2019t have the right educational resources to support you.<\/p>\n

Usually, the \u201csocial determinants\u201d of health fall into a range of segments, from family and community influence, to access to certain forms of nutrition. While there are aspects of each of these areas beyond our control, there are often steps we can take to protect and enhance our health by looking at these factors in greater depth.<\/p>\n

Influences on Your Health<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve just discussed how many factors help determine your health. Let\u2019s review some of the main factors which might influence your health.<\/p>\n

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Family, Friends, and Communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To be healthy, one could easily argue the importance of healthy relationships<\/a>. Similarly, a supportive social circle and access to community support is commonly associated with better health. Studies show deficiencies in social relationships are frequently associated with a 30% higher risk<\/a> of heart disease and stroke. Isolation and lack of social relationships also lead to increased risk of various mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

People who are more socially connected to family, friends, and their community live longer lives because they have various forms of support helping them to thrive. A good family helps you to develop positive habits, such as eating well and exercising. Supportive friends can help you to deal with common causes of stress, and overcome various challenges. Being part of a good community also ensures you have ways to develop good habits, including joining local exercise groups.<\/p>\n

While you can\u2019t control who your family members are, you can improve your social health by:<\/p>\n