Question

I need your opinion on what individual factors (personal characteristics, Genetics, Developmental stages of life, lifestyle) affect community/public Health?

thank you

Answer 1

Individual factors that affect Community or Public health:

Public health or the community health refers to the health status of the individuals in a particular society as a whole. There are many factors that can determine the health status of the community, such as environmental factors, individual factors, availability of health services etc. The major Individual factors that affect public health are :

* Genetics or hereditary/ biological factors :

An individual's genetic make up,age, sex and the presence of any inherited condition can largely affect the individual's health, there by the community health.  

For example: Sickle cell Anaemia, an inherited condition that prevalent among certain tribes in Asia and Africa, affect the tribe's overall health status and the particular community .

* Diet and physical activity

Lifestyle disorders are more common now a days, when comparing with olden days. Developed countries are more prone to Coronary artery diseases, heart attack, stroke , Diabetes Mellitus etc. These disorders engulf the lion amount of money from individual, and community. Each year Government's health sector is spending a large amount money for treating lifestyle disorders, that are mainly due to the regular consumption of high calorie , fatty diet along with the lack of regular physical activity . Malnutrition and Vitamin deficiency also weakens the individual's health.

* Alcoholism and other drug abuse:

One of the major cause of deterioration of health in the individuals and the community is alcoholism or drug abuse. Millions of youth in many countries are spoiling due to the drug abuse and resultant health and behavioural changes. Many are suffering with mental illness due to continous drug abuse. Many communities are reporting the increased rate of suicide among their population due to alcoholism and other substance abuse.  

* Other Individual factors like educational status, income , cultural/ religious beliefs of the individual , health and illness perception also can determine his/ her health , there by community' health. For example: A community, whose individuals observe a great caution against COVID 19 , can experience a reduction in the infectious disease attack among it's population.  

Many individual factors , that can have a profound effect on health of the individual can largely influence the community or Public health as a whole .