Influences of Health

This model of health is interesting when I apply it to Newfoundland and Labrador. First, looking at the first tier of health with individual factors age, gender and genetics, we have barriers to health. Newfoundland and Labrador has an aging population. This puts a strain on healthcare. Individual factors also play a role in our health as a province. Newfoundland and Labrador ranks below average in obesity, smoking and heavy drinking (Canadian Institute for Health Information, n.d.). We are lucky as Newfoundlanders to live in a climate with no air quality issues and we have access to health care even in our smallest communities. Access to fresh produce can be more challenging in the winter months; however, we never have to do without. Our province’s weather also has an affect on our health by the amount of sunlight we see. In St. John’s we see a lot of fog, this discourages out door activities and people being active.

References:

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.publichealthwm.org/what-health-equity/what-influences-health

Canadian Institute for Health Information (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.cihi.ca/en/an-in-depth-look-at-the-newfoundland-and-labrador-health-care-system