The social determinants of health

by | Nov 12, 2024 | healthcare

 

 

 

The social determinates of health include factors other than access to health care, such as socioeconomic status, economic stability, access to quality education, physical environment, support networks, employment, etc. Although efforts to improve healthcare within the United States usually point to responsibilities within the healthcare system, there is a growing recognition that these social determinants of health are also critical—from the individual to the population level.
As a DNP-prepared nurse, you will consider and address the social determinants of health when working with patients. Think about the ways in which this will positively impact your patients’ experiences and outcomes, as well as the communities you serve.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Patient Outcomes

As a DNP-prepared nurse, I recognize that addressing the social determinants of health is crucial for improving patient outcomes. By considering factors beyond clinical care, I can provide more holistic and effective care.

Positive Impact of Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Improved Patient Experiences:

  • Enhanced Patient-Provider Relationships: By understanding the social factors that influence a patient’s health, I can build stronger relationships based on empathy and trust.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: Addressing social needs can increase patient motivation and adherence to treatment plans.

The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Patient Outcomes

As a DNP-prepared nurse, I recognize that addressing the social determinants of health is crucial for improving patient outcomes. By considering factors beyond clinical care, I can provide more holistic and effective care.

Positive Impact of Addressing Social Determinants of Health

Improved Patient Experiences:

  • Enhanced Patient-Provider Relationships: By understanding the social factors that influence a patient’s health, I can build stronger relationships based on empathy and trust.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: Addressing social needs can increase patient motivation and adherence to treatment plans.
  • Reduced Health Disparities: By recognizing and addressing the social determinants of health, I can help to reduce health disparities and promote health equity.

Improved Patient Outcomes:

  • Reduced Morbidity and Mortality: Addressing factors like poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity can lead to better health outcomes.
  • Improved Quality of Life: By addressing social needs, I can help patients improve their overall quality of life, including mental health, physical well-being, and social connections.
  • Lower Healthcare Costs: Addressing social determinants of health can prevent costly health problems and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

Strategies for Addressing Social Determinants of Health

  • Community Partnerships: Collaborate with community organizations to provide resources and support, such as food banks, housing assistance, and job training programs.
  • Patient Advocacy: Advocate for policies that address social determinants of health, such as affordable housing, quality education, and access to healthy food.
  • Health Literacy: Educate patients about health information and empower them to make informed decisions about their health.
  • Cultural Competency: Develop cultural competence to provide culturally sensitive and effective care.
  • Social Screening: Screen patients for social needs and connect them to appropriate resources.

By incorporating these strategies into my practice, I can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of my patients and the communities I serve. As a DNP-prepared nurse, I am committed to addressing the root causes of health disparities and promoting health equity.

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