SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEAL TH IN TRANSITIONAL COUNTRIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.5/no.1/art.2251Abstract
The World Health Organization states ten major determinants of social health, of which income is discussed as the most modifiable factor. The population of most transitional countries faces poverty due to a shift in government or a shift into a market economy. Due to the stresses provided by societal shifting, the population rotates around unhealthy habits and behavior (i.e. drugs, smoking and alcohol abuse). Croatia, being a postwar transition country, portrays this trend and due to the pressure of joining the EU, the Croatian Ministry of Health has excelled in creating better living standards and educating the people to practice a healthier lifestyle. ASEAN Ministers of Health have also realized an unhealthy trend within Southeast Asian transitional countries and have collaborated to create supportive environments for healthy lifestyle choices. Although poverty cannot be fully eliminated, job security and job satisfaction can be promoted to reduce social pressures that promote unhealthy behaviors. Government intervention is necessary, such as the example in Croatia, to educate the people about healthy living and promotional health materials should constantly be distributed to maintain a healthy population.
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