How does socioeconomic status SES affect health outcomes?

How does socioeconomic status SES affect health outcomes?

There is evidence that socioeconomic status (SES) affects individual’s health outcomes and the health care they receive. People of lower SES are more likely to have worse self-reported health,5,6 lower life expectancy,7 and suffer from more chronic conditions8-11 when compared with those of higher SES.

How is SES related to health?

Socioeconomic status (SES) underlies three major determinants of health: health care, environmental exposure, and health behavior. In addition, chronic stress associated with lower SES may also increase morbidity and mortality.

In what way does low SES impact your life chances?

Low SES and exposure to adversity are linked to decreased educational success (McLaughlin & Sheridan, 2016). Such toxic stress in early childhood leads to lasting impacts on learning, behavior, and health (Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health et al., 2012).

What is low SES associated with?

SES affects overall human functioning, including our physical and mental health. Low SES and its correlates, such as lower educational achievement, poverty and poor health, ultimately affect our society.

How does low social class affect health?

People in lower socio-economic groups are more likely to have long-term health conditions, and these conditions tend to be more severe than those experienced by people in higher socio-economic groups.

How does social class affect life expectancy?

The most deprived areas have the lowest healthy life expectancy while the least deprived areas have the highest (figure 1, 2). For both males and females in the most deprived areas, there is almost a 20-year difference in healthy life expectancy compared with those living in the least deprived areas.

How are SES indicators and health status are related?

Similarly, higher incomes are usually associated with better nutritional status, housing conditions, medical services, etc. In addition, people with higher levels of education tend to have better health awareness and health-related knowledge [30]. Consequently, higher SES may be correlated with better physical health.

Why does poverty affect health?

Poverty affects health by limiting access to proper nutrition and healthy foods; shelter; safe neighborhoods to learn, live, and work; clean air and water; utilities; and other elements that define an individual’s standard of living.

How does social structure affect the health of individuals?

Acting via roles, social networks, and status, social structure can affect the health, values, occupational attainment, and sense of belonging in society. (We will also consider how some other social psychological variables are relevant influences on these.)

What is the impact of socioeconomic status on adequate nutrition and health?

People with high socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to have healthier food habits, whereas people with low SES have dietary profiles less consistent with nutritional recommendations or dietary guidelines, hence contributing to their poorer health status.

How do economics affect health?

In the United States, the economy shapes the complex interactions among employment, health coverage and costs, as well as financial access to care and health outcomes. Available evidence indicates that, as in previous downturns,1,2 few employers plan to drop health coverage or restrict employee eligibility.

How does SES impact mental health?

A low socioeconomic status (SES) is known to be associated with more frequent mental health problems. People of the lowest SES are estimated to be two to three times as likely to have a mental disorder than are those with the highest SES.

How does low SES cause stress?

The correlation between SES and uncertainty stress may be explained by both risk situation exposure and individual resources. Individuals with lower SES may have greater exposure to frequent and intense uncertain situations but also have less access to rewarding or potentially beneficial situations.

How does social class affect health care?

Low SES is an important determinant of access to health care. Persons with low incomes are more likely to be Medicaid recipients or uninsured, have poor-quality health care, and seek health care less often; when they do seek health care, it is more likely to be for an emergency.

How does poverty affect health outcomes?

Residents of impoverished neighborhoods or communities are at increased risk for mental illness,22, 23 chronic disease,17, 24 higher mortality, and lower life expectancy. Some population groups living in poverty may have more adverse health outcomes than others.

How does poverty affect mental and physical health?

Poverty in adulthood is linked to depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychological distress, and suicide. Poverty affects mental health through an array of social and biological mechanisms acting at multiple levels, including individuals, families, local communities, and nations.

How does social class affect health and illness?

How does poor health lead to lower SES?

For example, poor health leads to lower SES if chronic or acute health conditions limit workforce participation and, in turn, this process results in job loss.

Does socioeconomic status affect health outcomes among older adults?

As documented in this mini-review, substantial evidence exists to support the strong interplay between socioeconomic status (SES), healthcare access, and healthy aging. Several studies document the relationship between SES, healthcare utilization, and health outcomes among older adults across the globe.

Do blacks’low SES explain poor health outcomes?

Many studies have documented the importance of blacks’ low SES as a partial explanation for poor health outcomes relative to whites.

How does SES affect older adults’ access to healthcare?

While SES hinders the ability of older adults to access healthcare services, improving their financial situation in any capacity alleviates burdens and stressors that can improve their healthcare use patterns and health outcomes.