Social determinants of health (SDOH) are situations in which individuals work and learn
that impact their health and lives. SDOH tends to affect low-income countries most, especially
during a pandemic (Paremoer,2021). This research will focus more on analyzing the effects of
SDOH on COVID-19 in low-income countries, including education, unemployment, and
transportation.
Learners in low-income countries have lost a great deal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO regulations advised most countries globally to close their schools during the COVID-19
pandemic. During the pandemic, low-income countries had inadequate funds to allow the
learning systems to occur virtually. Consequently, learners had to wait for the government to
ease their learning restrictions (Paremoer,2021). During this time, most of these learners engaged
in illegal activities while at home, including drug dealing, robbery, early pregnancy, and negative
peer influence.
Apart from education, the unemployment rate increased in low-income countries during
the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of COVID-19 resulted in the contraction of the
economy in these countries. Moreso, this government had financial deficits to fight the pandemic
and pay its citizens. Therefore, the government and companies in these countries had to reduce
the number of employees for sustainability and survival (Rollston,2020). This decision led to a
significant increase in unemployed individuals in low-income countries.
SDOH has a significant impact on societies globally. These include education,
unemployment and transportation. SDOH primarily affects low-income countries. Low-income
need to be more innovative to counter the adverse effects of SDOH. If appropriately addressed,
these countries can control SDOH during pandemics like COVID-19.
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References
Paremoer, L., Nandi, S., Serag, H., & Baum, F. (2021). Covid-19 pandemic and the social
determinants of health. BMJ, 372.
Rollston, R., & Galea, S. (2020). COVID-19 and the social determinants of health. American
Journal of Health Promotion, 34(6), 687-689.