We often think we have no control of our life. Now that being true in many ways, we do have the power of autonomy. No one can choose where they are born, what genitalia they have, how rich their parents are or if they even have present parents. Someone might look at a homeless person and blame them for their choice. They may have decided to do things that put them in a bad situation but there are also things that may have no control over. If an individual was born into a home that was in a neighborhood with lots of crime, poor education system, no good access to healthy foods or medical care, they might live a life poorer health than someone with the opposite. The things and people around us influence one’s likelihood to live a long healthy life. Environmental factors such as air quality, access to fresh foods, and transportation can negatively affect vulnerable populations. If someone is working a job with no health insurance and just got diagnosed with diabetes, that will greatly influence their life and health. Societal factors like growing up around drug users and crime can influence someone to also grow up to live a life like that. The environment and community we grow up molds and shapes our values and outlook at a very young age. This then moves on to affect us for the rest of our lives. 

Over the years we’ve seen a push to help these populations. More and more people are recognizing that certain populations are facing problems in which they have no control over. Unfortunately, a lot of people lack the education regarding social determinates of health. A lot of politicians use this misunderstanding that people have and turn it into hate to drive elections. Lack of momentum within our government has continued to put these populations on the back burner. Programs such as MaineCare, WIC, English language learners (ELL), and public transportation are just some examples of ways the government is helping the public. There still is much more to be done though. To help these populations we need to further educate others and continue to voice to government officials the needs of one’s community. In Maine we have high rates of heroin use. This is just one example of a public health crisis occurring here in Maine. It’s a public health issue as it causes addiction, transmission of blood born diseases, and death. Safe and clean needle use is a public health intervention that would better the health of many. Education regarding safe needle use and knowledge of where to get access won’t stop their addiction, but it can save their life. 

In my first undergraduate degree I took some sociology classes that talked about the social determinants of health. I never looked at the world the same after that. After that I learned about nursing and determined that was what I wanted to peruse. Not only did what I’ve learn help drive me to further my education, but it will help me be a better provider to my patients. It will help me to start the conversation of how I can help them. It’ll make me want to peel back a few layers to really determine what is driving their issue. I think it’s also taught me to be a much more understanding human being.