Question

_{Case Study 1: Mrs. Zaretsky (Health Illness and Disease) Mrs. Zaretsky a 64-year-old widow lives in a low-income area. She has multiple health problems including diabetes and hypertension. She eats a lot of fast food and smokes. She visits the clinic and community centre because of a sore on her foot that refuses to heal. She is on several medications but doesn’t always take them because she thinks they are too expensive so sometimes she doesn’t bother to get them refilled. She also has an intense dislike for the pharmacist who often chastises her for not getting her medications as scheduled. Mrs. Zaretsky has been encouraged to come to join the centre for lunch and meet some of the other ladies. She says she doesn’t mind the meal but really doesn’t like those old biddies. 1. What determinants of health could be affecting Mrs. Zaretsky? 2. Which of the following is a determinant for Mrs. Zaretsky? Age, gender, behaviour or social norms. Why? 3. What health modifications can be encouraged with her? 4. In a socioenvironmental approach to health, what questions would you need to address to decrease smoking behaviour with her (or in her area)?}

Answer 1

1 - Health determinants that could be affecting Mrs. Zaretsky include

• Income and social status.
• Education and literacy.
• Physical environments.
• social supports and coping skills.
• Healthy behaviors.

2 - In this case of Mrs.Zaretsky her behavior is the main health determinant. She does not want to follow anything. She finds some reasons to avoid the things that she doesn't like. In this scenario, we can understand that she avoids medications by mentioning reasons like, it is too expensive or complaining about pharmacist's behavior.

3 - She should be encouraged to gradually reduce the consumption of fast foods as well as to quit smoking. Moreover, it is important to motivate her to take medications regularly, otherwise her present condition will get worsened soon. At the same time, doing exercises regularly and eating healthy foods will also be beneficail for her.