Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu (Sep 2020)
Income possibilities and constraints and health status of society
Abstract
Introduction and Objective The scope of problems concerning income possibilities and constraints in the image of the state of health of society is important and interesting from the social, economic, legal, health, and psychological perspectives. The article deals with the contemporary macro-economic conditioning of the socio-economic status of households and problem of their liabilities, and presents statistical data reflecting the economic condition of average Polish families. A part of the considerations deal with relationships between income and health, including the availability of health sector services, as well as the effect of health status on income. The issue of unemployment is also indicated as generating health problems. The considerations pertaining to the situation in Poland are a starting point for comparing them with the data from international studies. The aim of the study is the presentation of income possibilities and constraints in the context of the state of health of society. Current state of knowledge The phenomenon of poverty exerts an empirically confirmed effect on the deterioration of the state of health, quality of life, susceptibility to diseases, and a decrease in the average life span. This regularity is observed in many countries worldwide. Simultaneously, the financial means of persons with a worse health status are seriously limited due to, among others, absenteeism at work, reduced performance, and the necessity to bear the costs of treatment. Conclusions Income possibilities are placed at the forefront of factors which condition the state of health, effectiveness of treatment and prophylaxis. In the case of diseases, and disease-associated reduction in the activity on the labour market, a decreased psychological and physical wellbeing, limitation or lack of access to treatment and prophylaxis are enhanced.
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