course materials

1. Social Workers in Healthcare and Social Factors Discussion
Social Workers in Healthcare and Social Factors DiscussionSocial Workers in Healthcare
and Social Factors DiscussionCLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR ASSIGNMENTBe sure to your
postings and responses with specific references to the resources and the current literature
using appropriate APA format and style.By Day 5Respond to at least two different
colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:Provide a constructive critique of
your colleague’s post. Offer different perspectives on the social factors your colleague
selected.Analyze your colleague’s post and expand on the interventions with additional
insight.Share an insight gained from having read your colleague’s posting.DB1Maranda—
Social workers in healthcare address many challenges based on a holistic approach to an
individual’s needs, strengths, and systems. Two social factors that influence health
outcomes include socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity. While there are many
reasons that these social determinants impact health, many stem from either lack of
resources, education, and a variety of other social issues that social workers often attempt
to address.In regards to socioeconomic status, limited access to resources that promote
health is the notable barrier to achieving health for individuals with lower socioeconomic
status (Moreno-Maldonado, et al., 2019). Whereas many have access to healthcare, healthy
foods, exercise options, etc., others are limited to what they may be able to afford, therefore
leading to inequality in health. Additionally, psychological and social strain can cause
increased stress surrounding the struggle of limited resources, therefore also leading to
greater health issues (Moreno-Maldonado, et al., 2019). While socioeconomic status impacts
health, there are many factors involved. Walden University Social Workers in Healthcare
and Social Factors DiscussionIn regards to race and ethnicity, many factors can relate to the
limitations of healthcare including immigration status, socioeconomic status, language
barriers, and a variety of other challenges that limit the access to healthcare and education
on healthy living (Dulin, et al., 2012). Additionally, access to primary care and regular
medicine has been a barrier to preventative healthcare (Dulin, et al., 2012). While race and
ethnicity may impact the health of individuals, the cultural and social implications
surrounding it are quite widely seen.A medical social worker may intervene by addressing
the cause of the outcome including cultural beliefs, educational opportunities, or other
areas that are impacted by an individual’s social needs. While financial opportunities may
vary, addressing the health needs is an important step to managing the gap in inequality
among individuals. Developing educational opportunities that are all inclusive could
promote overall health and well-being regardless of socioeconomic status with the goal to

2. address the unhealthy habits and promote health could benefit both groups (Moreno-
Maldonado, et al., 2019). Additionally, regular healthcare visits help to identify issues and
promote healthier behavior, therefore making access to care even more of a consideration
in promoting overall physical health (Edwards & Loprunzi, 2017). Because culture and
values still play a role in the healthcare that is delivered, providers should be encouraged to
identify the holistic needs of an individual to improve overall quality of life and wellness
(Edwards & Loprunzi, 2017). As social workers, education and regular healthcare could
significantly improve the health of individuals with lower socioeconomic status or
minorities.Overall, addressing the challenges of health due to social issues is quite
important for social workers in healthcare to address the greater needs of individuals.
While socioeconomic status and race and ethnicity impact an individual’s health, it’s
important to assess holistically and understand the reasoning. For instance, when someone
is ‘non-compliant’, it is important to recognize whether it is a personal choice or if they have
limited access, etc. rather than assuming they are choosing to not follow a provider’s orders.
Another example comes from my own experience in seeing a patient that was missing
multiple appointments because the calls were in English and he only spoke Spanish,
therefore limiting his ability to stay on track with appointments and follow through. This
can be seen and challenged with further programs to educate individuals and
communities and also offer preventative medicine. Without accessible healthcare,
individuals are at a disadvantage to improve their health, therefore causing even greater
concern for their well-being and overall quality of life. As social workers, it is a
responsibility to promote the well-being of others and improve quality of life, especially
considering those that are vulnerable and oppressed.ReferencesDulin, M. F., Tapp, H., Smith,
H. A., Urquieta de Hernandez, B., Coffman, M. J., Ludden, T., Sorensen, J., & Furuseth, O. J.
(2012). A trans-disciplinary approach to the evaluation of social determinants of health in a
hispanic population. BMC Public Health, 12(1), 769–778. https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1186/147…Edwards, M.K. & Loprinzi, P.D.. (2017). Psycho-
Socioeconomic bio-behavioral influences on health-related quality of life. Health Promotion
Perspectives, 7(3), 124–127. https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.15171/hp…Moreno-Maldonado, C., Ramos, P., Moreno, C., &
Rivera, F. (2019). Direct and Indirect Influences of Objective Socioeconomic Position on
Adolescent Health: The Mediating Roles of Subjective Socioeconomic Status and Lifestyles.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(9). https://doi-
org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3390/ije…DB 2Kynshasha—Social factors and health
outcomesFor this initial discussion posting, I selected socioeconomic status and educational
attainment as two social factors of interest to me that influences health outcomes.
According to Arpey, et al. (2017) people of lower socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely
to have worse self-reported health, lower life expectancy, and suffer from more chronic
conditions compared to those of higher SES. People of lower SES receive fewer diagnostic
tests and medications for many chronic diseases and have limited access to healthcare
because of cost and/or coverage (Arpey, et al., 2017). Physicians does not think people with
lower SES will comply with medical recommendations and/or return for follow-up visits,
which is why people with lower SES are less likely to receive diagnostic tests, less likely

3. prescribed mediation(s), and less likely to be referred to a specialist if and/or when needed
(Arpey, et al., 2017). According to Alkerwi, et al. (2015) people with higher SES are more
likely to have healthier food habits, whereas people with lower SES are less consistent with
nutritional recommendations and/or dietary guidelines, which significantly contributes to
poorer health outcomes such as, heart disease and/or diabetes.According to Lee (2015)
higher educational levels commonly results in better jobs, more finances, and better health
insurance which leads to improved and/or quality health outcomes. Higher educational
levels are also connected to healthier diets, which improves a person’s health. People with
lower educational levels often live in areas and/or neighborhoods where there is a lack of
access to supermarkets and/or healthy food choices, lack of access to physicians and/or
lack of access to reactional facilities, which all affects a person’s health and/or health
outcomes (Lee, 2015). I think that it is significantly bias for a McDonald’s burger to cost
$1.00 and a salad to cost $8.00. If my highest level of education is 9th grade, then I am
commonly unemployed or working at a fast food restaurant making minimum wage. Of
course, I am going to choose the $1.00 burger from McDonalds that might cause me a heart
attack compared to the $8.00 salad.Social work interventionsAccording to Mitchell (2012)
social workers can provide psychosocial counseling. I think that psychosocial counseling
will be a targeted social work intervention that could be used to improve health outcomes.
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (2015) psychosocial includes
psychotherapy and social and vocational training that aim to provide , education, and
guidance to patients and their families. Individuals can receive employment training and
health insurance coverage training, such as Medicaid and Medicare during psychosocial
therapy. Social Workers in Healthcare and Social Factors DiscussionSocial work taskThe
social worker may need to advocate for individuals and their families to reach the desired
health outcome(s). Medicaid and/or Medicare recipients are having a hard time identifying
a provider that accepts their insurance coverage and/or that is accepting new patients.
Therefore, the social worker might advocate for additional resources in terms of providers.
The social worker may have to help people successfully complete an application for
Medicaid and/or Medicare to ensure people have equal access to health
insurance.ReferencesAlkerwi, A., Vernier, C., Sauvageot, N., Crichton, G. E., & Elias, M. F.
(2015). Demographic and socioeconomic disparity in nutrition: application of a novel
Correlated Component Regression approach. BMJ Open, 5(5). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-
006814Arpey, N. C., Gaglioti, A. H., & Rosenbaum, M. E. (2017). How socioeconomic status
affects patient perceptions of health care: A qualitative study. Journal of Primary Care &
Community Health, 8(3), 169-175. doi: 10.1177/2150131917697439Lee, R. (2015).
Learning matters: How education affects
health. https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/learning_matters_how_educ
ation_affects.htmlMitchell, J. A. (2012). Integrating education on addressing health
disparities into the graduate social work curriculum. HHS Public Access, 32(5), 471-486.
doi: 10.1080/08841233.2012.725458