Healthy aging is an important public health issue, both nationally and internationally. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes healthy aging as a process whereby all people of all ages are able to live a healthy, safe and socially inclusive lifestyle.  

Discuss how social determinants of health for the older adult are impacted for those living in poverty.  

I just attached two discussions to make a reply to each one. Each reply should include 200 words and a minimum of two references in APA 7 format within the last 5 years.

Plagiarism must be less than 10 % 

Peer 1, Norely:

SDH and its impacts on health have recently been the subject of research. SDH has been defined as non-medical conditions that affect the health of individuals. These factors include conditions such as economic policies, development agendas, political aspects, and social norms. SDH play an important aspect in the health of individuals and it determines how people can access healthcare or shape their well-being and quality of life. SDH has influenced the inequality in the health of individuals. Some of the populations that have been highly affected are older adults. Economic factors are a significant part of the SDH, mostly for elderly populations. It has been stated that by 2030, an estimated 20% of the US population is expected to be around 65 years and above, thus increasing the SDH risk (SDH of Health and their Impact on Seniors 2022). Calls to focus on and improve SDH factors are being discussed in order to improve the quality of life of the elderly and venerable people.

One of the concerning issues in SDH is poverty, which mostly affects the elderly. The well-being and health of the elderly are highly linked to their financial background. Economic security is vital in ensuring individuals can cover their medical and health expenses such as pharmaceuticals, medical bills, and healthy lifestyles. Poverty also influences the food security and nutrition of the elderly population. Individuals living in poverty will find it challenging to afford nutritious food or even food to sustain their health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 40 million Americans had challenges with food security and hunger. An estimated of 50% of the individuals aged 50 years and above were among the most affected by access to food security (SDH and their impact on seniors 2022). Without proper nutrition and food security, the health of the elderly population will start to get worse. Most elderly adults are faced with consequential choices of whether to pay rent, purchase healthy food, or purchase medications and being in poverty does not help but rather makes things worse for these elderly populations living in poverty. Also, poor economic benefits contribute to their lack of to access proper health care. Access to affordable and high-quality health is important to elderly people (Older People and the Social Determinants of Health – Wiley Online Library 2021). The elderly are always finding it challenging to navigate their health and may need help from professional healthcare providers. Without financial abilities, their health is expected to worsen over time.

Peer 2, Germina:

The term “social determinants of health” refers to the environmental, social, and economic situations that people are exposed to on a daily basis that have an impact on their overall health and well-being. As people get older, they are at a greater risk of experiencing increased health problems that are both age-related and caused by chronic illnesses. The social factors that determine health become even more crucial for elderly people who are living in poverty, and this can have a substantial effect on both their general health and their sense of wellbeing.

The capacity to acquire necessary medical care and services is the first item that suffers as a direct result of poverty’s influence on the social variables that define the health of older people. This is because poverty directly affects the social aspects that determine health. It’s possible that a senior adult will have trouble getting the appropriate medical treatment and services owing to a number of various factors that are out of their control. A lack of information about the health care system, limited access to health insurance, limited financial resources, and limited transportation alternatives are some of these challenges. In addition to this, there is restricted access to various forms of medical insurance. For instance, an elderly person who does not have access to transportation may be unable to make it to their doctor’s appointments or to the pharmacy in order to pick up medications that are important for their condition. Their health could suffer as a direct result of these actions. In addition, if an older adult does not have appropriate understanding of the health care system, they may not be aware of the services and treatments that are available to them, as well as the ways by which they can acquire access to such services and treatments. This can make it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their health care. If an older adult does not have health insurance, they may not be able to afford essential medical treatments or medications, even if they are able to receive them. This is the case even if they are able to obtain the treatments or prescriptions. Even if they are able to get their hands on the therapies or prescriptions, this will still be the case. Last but not least, it can be exceedingly difficult for an older adult to receive the care that they require if they do not have the financial resources to pay for the essential medical care and treatments.

When it comes to elderly people who are living in impoverished conditions, a lack of access to medical treatment and services can have a variety of bad impacts on their overall health. These include an increased risk of developing chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis; an increased risk of falling and other injuries; and an increased risk of developing mental health difficulties. Other risks include a decreased life expectancy and an increased risk of developing cancer. One additional danger is a potential reduction in life expectancy. In addition, elderly individuals who live in poverty may have a more difficult time managing their chronic diseases, which can result in a more rapid decline in their general health if they do not have access to proper medical treatment and therapies. If this is the case, their overall health may deteriorate more quickly.