There are numerous factors that influence the quality and quantity of men’s lives. Beginning well before birth and continuing throughout their lives, social determinants of health represent one of the most significant influences.
These social and economic elements of men’s lives can include their parents’ jobs, the neighborhoods they grow up in, and critically, their accessibility to education, healthcare, and technology.
Regrettably, one of the most dependable ways men can find themselves in a favorable health situation is by wisely choosing their parents. Both the genetic and environmental factors of a man’s upbringing can leave a lasting impact on their lives. Nevertheless, by understanding these social determinants of health, it becomes possible to devise strategies for individual improvement as well as broader societal reform.
Cumulative advantage (and disadvantage)
In his book Outliers: The Story of Success (Little, Brown & Co., 2008), Malcolm Gladwell points out that there is a disproportionate number of elite Canadian hockey players born in the early months of the year. This phenomenon is not a result of celestial influences on hockey skills but is attributed to the age cutoff in Canada, which has traditionally been January 1—creating conditions for cumulative advantage.
Before age 10, even a minor difference in months of age can lead to considerable variations in physical maturity. Therefore, a hockey player born in January is likely to be larger, stronger, and faster than one born in December, resulting in increased attention from coaches and faster skills development. This success could lead to opportunities to compete in higher divisions, play with superior teammates, and access better coaching and training, perpetuating the cycle.
Consequently, more NHL players come from January, February, and March than from any other months. Thus, even at a young age, and for reasons beyond their control, these social determinants of health can have far-reaching effects on men’s lives.
Socioeconomic determinants of health
Beyond the rink, cumulative advantage and disadvantage linked to social determinants of health have substantial implications. Consider socioeconomic status; a child born into a wealthier family is much more likely to remain in a higher income bracket later in life.
The most reliable predictor of earning wealth is having wealth. Conversely, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may experience a similar effect but in reverse; climbing the social ladder is difficult (though not impossible).
Let’s examine the life paths of two imaginary children. Joe is born in an affluent suburb of a major city, while John is raised in subsidized housing with his six siblings in a challenging neighborhood under a single parent.
Joe’s parents can afford to provide him with organic food, enroll him in private school, and drive him to various sports activities throughout his upbringing. Consequently, he receives an excellent education that enables him to attend university, land a job in a high-income bracket, and enjoy a vibrant social life.
Conversely, John’s father works double shifts to support the family, but the only affordable housing available has mold issues, leading to respiratory problems for John. His school is overcrowded, and he struggles to keep up due to frequent absences. To help his family financially, John takes a construction job and ultimately drops out of high school. Years of hard labor and neglecting self-care have resulted in chronic pain for John.
In these two scenarios, it’s easy to see that Joe and John experience vastly different health and well-being outcomes later in life. These disparities may not stem from the individuals themselves but from the broader social and economic conditions surrounding them.
What next?
To tackle systemic challenges such as the negative effects of social determinants of health, we must focus on altering modifiable lifestyle factors at the individual level and addressing systemic inequities at the population level.
Incorporating physical activity and fostering social connections are two effective and low-cost strategies to enhance health and well-being. By taking small, gradual steps toward healthier habits, individuals may be able to mitigate some adverse effects arising from cumulative disadvantages.
However, implementing large-scale changes will necessitate a societal movement toward greater equity at the policy level, which will take time and effort.
Monitor and manage your health and well-being using technology
Various platforms are available to help identify and address mental health challenges. Industry leaders like Harper (harperinstitute.com) offer at-home kits that provide comprehensive insights into your current mental health and well-being through clinically validated digital assessments and biological measurements.
Using this information, they generate personalized recommendations tailored to encourage positive lifestyle changes, enhance resilience, and improve overall well-being.
Building resilience resources using technology for social connection
Having both quantity and quality in your relationships can strengthen your resilience, aiding you in facing adversity. When meeting in person is not feasible, leverage technology to connect with friends and family through texts, calls, or video chats.
Your DNA is not your destiny
While many social determinants of health are beyond your control, concentrate on those that you can influence, such as your diet, physical activity, and social relationships.
– Pack a healthy lunch.
– Take an evening stroll with your partner.
– Organize a family gathering.
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