SOCS16732 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: lifespan

Human Development: Lifespan Name Institution Course and Code Professor Date Human Development: Lifespan Part A: Introduction Social determinants of health describe the factors in which human beings are born, grow, live, work, and age. Raphael et al. (2020) indicate that they significantly affect the general health of individuals and populations. Understanding these variables is critical in developing effective strategies to improve communities’ health and well-being, primarily through social service workers who address these issues from multiple perspectives. This essay explores the impact of education, early child development, social exclusion, disability, and job insecurity on my health, navigating both negative and positive effects. It will include how my role as a social worker can work at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to address education, disability, and Early Child Development social determinants. Part B: Determinants of Health Education According to Raphael et al. (2020), people with more education have greater access to various societal and financial resources, promoting their upward social mobility and overall health.             The advancement in education has positively affected my health. After finishing high school in 2023, I began studying at Sheridan College in the Social Service Worker program. Education was always essential for both of my parents, and their encouragement and motivation helped me want to get a higher degree. Although my parents have to spend lots of money on my studies, they focus on education because they know there are only benefits in the future. Besides increasing the chances of getting a job in the future, the emphasis on education helps me develop knowledge and skills that allow me to live a healthier life. Holt-Lunstad (2022) notes that education is essential as it supports access to health literacy, which supports leading a healthy life.             Education also impacts an individual's health differently as it offers personal and professional advancement opportunities. As I progress through my education, I am gradually developing a sense of agency in healthcare, thus enhancing my ability to acquire preventive services and comprehend information associated with physical health. From this perspective, the education process helps maintain my general well-being, as it contributes to the feeling of purpose and accomplishment, which are crucial in mental health. Unemployment and Job Security Raphael et al. (2020) hold that workplace employment and conditions significantly impact health. Since employment offers financial security, social standing, and opportunities for personal growth, it is healthier than being unemployed. My past struggles with job insecurity and unemployment have had a detrimental effect on my ability to maintain good health. I worked as a dishwasher at a restaurant in high school, but I received bad treatment and was eventually fired. My manager demoted me and replaced me with a white acquaintance who kept calling in ill, raising concerns about racial discrimination. It was challenging to juggle work and school, and my employer did not understand my commitment to my studies. My physical and emotional health were negatively impacted by this event, which also created a great deal of stress and anxiety. According to Vanjani et al. (2023), job security and employment support a healthier life, given that an individual can afford basic needs and medical care. The negative effect on health was also experienced at the family level. I witnessed how my parents struggled while searching for a job after coming to Canada. Initially, they faced challenges in securing a steady job, which greatly affected our family financially and in terms of resourcefulness. They were able to secure better-paid employment, which led to an improvement in our overall socioeconomic status. My mother was able to further her education, allowing her to hold a consultant manager position. We enjoy a middle-class lifestyle since both parents have good-paying jobs. On the other hand, the first 13 years of work uncertainty left a permanent negative mark on their health and well-being, proving how vital work plays in maintaining an individual's health. Early Child Development Early childhood development influences physical, mental, and emotional health, substantially impacting health and well-being (World Health Organization, 2014). My health potential has been positively impacted by early childhood development. Opportunities that my parents did not have in their native country were made available to me when I was growing up in Canada. My parents highly valued a loving and encouraging atmosphere, which set a solid foundation for my future health and well-being. Eventually, my father's learning disability—which was overlooked in his native country—was acknowledged in Canada, where he was able to get the assistance he required. Vanjani et al. ...