Approaches to Addressing Health Issues
Do health theories truly define the extent of a public health or social issue?
The social and behavioral sciences have provided myriad models and theories that health professionals often use when developing health
interventions. While some of these models focus on changing an individual’s health behavior, others encompass social and environmental
influences. As described in Week 2, the premise of ecosocial theory posits that the behavior of individuals is dependent upon the dynamic
interaction of intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy influences.
Consider the inequitable distribution of rates of obesity when comparing affluent versus lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Can food
deserts (where easy access to cheap fast-food far outweighs the prevalence of healthy and nutritious food) lead to higher rates of obesity
in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods? Do social class, education, and culture represent additional contributing factors in these
communities? What perspectives or lens can best inform interventions to address obesity in low-income communities?
For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Then, select a health issue and population of interest. Consider which level
in the SEM might most impact changes in health outcomes in your selected population. Reflect on a social or behavioral theory/model
associated with a level in the SEM to focus the intervention for your target population.
Post by Day 3 a brief description of the health issue in the population you selected. State your position as to which level in the SEM
would most impact changes in health outcomes for this population and explain why. Then, identify a social or behavioral theory/model that
maps to the SEM level. Briefly explain how this social or behavioral theory/model could be applied in an intervention aimed at your target
population. Be specific and provide examples.
Introduction An examination of the changing health patterns in this century justifies both celebration and dismay. (Levins, 1998) The
world of public health is replete with past triumphs and challenges in addressing health issues. Consider for example increased life
expectancy at birth, advances in promoting safe drinking water, the eradication of smallpox, or even technological advances that make
diagnosis and treatment for myriad health issues more expedient. While these triumphs are certainly celebrated and contribute to the
quality of life for everyone, we must keep in mind that “solutions designed to solve isolated problems can exacerbate or give rise to new
ones” (Levins, 1998). Effective interventions are based on understanding the context in which a health issue occurs and selecting
appropriate theories and strategies for addressing the problem within that context. In this week, you will explore how different theories
and models are better suited for interventions aimed at specific targets—e.g., the individual or community. This week, you examine social
and behavioral theories and consider how these theories and models relate to levels in the social ecology framework. You also consider the
impact of cultural perspectives on health interventions. Objectives Students will: Identify concepts of social and behavioral theories and
models Analyze social and behavioral theories and models in relation to levels in the social ecology framework Evaluate levels of the
Socio-Ecological Model on the impact of health outcomes Identify considerations in choosing an appropriate theory or model to address a
health issue in a particular population Analyze the impact of cultural perspectives on health Required Resources Readings Coreil, J.
(Ed.). (2009). Social and behavioral foundations of public health (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Chapter 4, “Behavioral and Social
Science Theory” Chapter 8, “Comparative Health Cultures” Casey, M. M., Eime, R. M., Payne, W. R., & Harvey, J. T. (2009). Using a
socioecological approach to examine participation in sport and physical activity among rural adolescent girls. Qualitative Health
Research, 19(7), 881–893. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Colorectal
cancer control program (CRCCP): Social ecological model. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/crccp/sem.htm Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. (2013, Jan 13). Colorectal cancer control program (crccp): Social ecological model. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/crccp/sem.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer
Institute. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice (NIH Publication No. 05-3896) (pp. 1–37). Retrieved from
http://www.med.upenn.edu/chbr/documents/TheoryataGlance.pdf Optional Resources Stokols, D. (1996). Translating social ecological theory
into guidelines. American Journal of Health Promotion, 10(4), 282–298.