Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Jul 2024)
An Overview of the Social Health Problems in Iran and Solutions
Abstract
A healthy and vibrant society depends on the presence of citizens with a positive and motivated spirit. Achieving such a society requires that social well-being be realized as a form of mental, individual, and social health in today's communities. Given the novelty of the concept of social well-being, there is yet to be full consensus among researchers on its dimensions and indicators. The widespread interest in social well-being in Iran and globally stems from its conceptual attractiveness as it can delineate prevailing social conditions and serve as a valuable analytical tool for scholars and policymakers in this field. Disorders in social health, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, divorce, and suicide, are crucial issues in contemporary society that warrant extensive study. By investigating their causes and consequences, strategies can be proposed for their prevention and reduction. This study begins with defining the key concepts of social health and the abnormalities resulting from disorders within it. It proceeds to provide statistical insights into these disorders worldwide and in Iran, utilizing keywords such as social health, social disorders, depression, anxiety, addiction, divorce, and suicide, as found in recently published books and articles. The components and indicators of social problems are reviewed, and solutions are proposed for the prevention and mitigation of each social disorder. Research findings indicate that among mortality and disability factors in Iran, depression ranks 4th and anxiety 7th and there is a close relationship between the occurrence of depression, stress, and anxiety in individuals. Globally, 2% of the population suffers from substance use disorders, and the daily smoking rate in Iran is estimated at 10.7%. Moreover, the divorce rate in Iran is reported at 14%, with the highest rates in Alborz, Mazandaran, Semnan, Tehran, and Markazi provinces. Suicide rates in Iran show Ilam, Hamadan, and Kermanshah provinces as having the highest rates. Ilam province is one of the most dangerous regions in Iran, where 28.94 deaths occur due to suicide in every hundred thousand cases. The results indicate significant overlap among these social harms in many aspects, where the occurrence of one can pave the way for another. Thus, preventing social problems such as anxiety and depression can effectively contribute to preventing other social issues such as addiction, divorce, and suicide, thereby enhancing social Health. Therefore, conducting national surveys in this area and making evidence-based decisions can substantially aid in preventing social harm.
