Risk Factors |
A risk factor is and characteristic or exposure that will increase an individuals chance of developing a disease or injury. Diabetes risk factors include;
> Unhealthy dieting > Physical Inactivity > High Blood pressure Protective Factors
A protective factor is a characteristic that will reduce an individual’s
risk of gaining a disease or injury. Protective factors for diabetes include;
regular physical activity, healthy dieting
Social Determinants
Social determinants include socio-economic, socio-cultural
and environmental. These determinants have a significant impact upon diabetes as
some factors are non-modifiable which decisively affects the nature of health.
Socio-economic determinants consist of income, occupation and education. Socio-economically disadvantaged people more at risk of developing a disease such as diabetes as they are less likely to engage in the protective factors. Those of a low socio economic status would have poor levels of education which reflects on their knowledge of healthy alternatives. Education reflects an individual’s employment level as without the correct education, an individual would not be able to receive a high paying occupation. This effects income, as an individual with a low pay will have health barriers such as not having enough money to pay for a gym membership, or to pay for medical treatment. It is known that people of a socio-economic status are less likely to engage in physical activity, are more likely to abuse alcohol, are more likely to become obese and are more likely to have diets that are unhealthy. These factors are considered as risk factors as they put an individual at risk of developing diabetes. Another contributing factor is socio-cultural factors. Socio-cultural factors include family, peers and background. These factors are easily modifiable as an individual can choose who their company is. Family can influence an individual’s behaviour in choosing healthy alternatives as they are the ones who set an example. If an individual grows up around family who choose unhealthy options, it is more likely that the individual will adopt them too. Environmental factors are an individual’s surroundings, i.e. home, workplace, school, and where they live. Those who are geographically living in rural and remote areas can put population groups at risk of developing diseases such as diabetes. This is due to their location. Their location acts as a barrier as health facilities and services are out of reach. This makes detection, management, treatment and prevention inaccessible. The lack of health services and facilities around rural and remote areas put those individual’s at more risk. This makes the management of diabetes impossible as diabetes patients rely on medical treatment. |