Reflection Essay
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Date
The video ‘Not Just a Paycheck’ examines how the job employment policy and insecurity affect an individual’s health. On the other hand, ‘Place Matters’ video indicates that an individual’s geographical area is a good predictor of someone’s health. Place matter is a designed national wide initiative that improves the health outcomes by engaging communities primarily through learning experiences. The essay discusses factors that influence the vulnerability of individuals as well as that of the community levels. Films are essential tools to disseminate health information, promoting health as well as constructing health-related narratives.
Not Just a Paycheck is a video showing how the residents living in western Michigan struggled against domestic violence, depression, diabetes, and heart diseases. The struggle started after the Electrolux Corporation closed the country’s largest refrigerator factory. I believe that closing the local manufacturing plant turned the lives of Greenville, Michigan workers upside down. In my view, Greenville residents’ health deteriorated quickly since most people were used to a good middle-class life. Unfortunately, the plant’s shutting down made most of the workers scrap severance pay, live under unemployment benefits and health plan that ended in a year. The situation made the hospitals in the area flood with depressed patients, domestic abuse, and alcoholism. However, the situation in Vastervik, Sweden, was different compared to that of Greenville, Michigan. The health of Vastervik residents remained steady as workers who had lost their jobs got 80% of their salary as unemployment benefits. The funds helped people who had lost their jobs to train for other jobs as the Electrolux plant paid more than 3 million dollars to stimulate new business construction. In my opinion, since workers in America are left to fend for themselves and pay the prices for both wealth and health, most people are prone to diseases as a result of chronic stress. On the other hand, Sweden’s citizens live a better life as the government provides a safety net for the people.
An individual’s residential location is vital in considering the health factors of a person. Factors such as lack of access to employment, segregation, nutritious food, and affordable, well-built housing have been deemed harmful to long-time black Americans’ health. In my perspective, the zip code and street address are essential in the United States and are good predictors of health in a population. Economic, social, and physical surroundings where people live powerfully shape the chances and wellbeing of life. The Place Matters video outlines the relationships between races and ethnicity, places, and Richmond residents’ health conditions in California.
Nonetheless, as social conditions of both a community and an individual worsen, so does the health of a person. In my view, living in a polluted environment may result in chronic stress, high risks for heart diseases, and lower life expectancy. Furthermore, the street address is an essential predictor of a person’s health, as it shows that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is bad for your health. The Place Matters video shows that after Gwai Boonkeut moved into urban areas that were neglected by black Americans, their health gets eroded due to the environmental pollution from the petrochemical companies.
The two videos have outlined overarching themes that have affected the health of individuals. For instance, the video Place Matters depicts three compositions that have been observed. One of the themes expressed here is the neighborhood conditions where they can indirectly affect health. The neighborhood condition makes healthy choices difficult, easy, or even impossible. The second theme is whereby the private investment resolution and public policy alternatives have shaped the neighborhood conditions. Moreover, working with the public health department and the Seattle Housing Authority have seen the neighborhood community having won the federal grants to reconstruct High Point. Lastly, the social environment and built spaces have a direct effect on the resident’s health conditions. Polluting industries in Richmond are concentrated where the poor and back Americans live, which should not be the case. In my view, improving the quality of life for people in society directly impacts their health. Thus, neighborhood policy improvement is as well a health policy.
On the other hand, the Not Just a Paycheck video depicts three themes as well. Unemployment, layoffs, and insecurity of jobs have a negative impact on health. From the discussions above, high unemployment rates are associated with diseases such as heart attack, kidney diseases, homicide, alcohol abuse, and suicide. Secondly, a society that supports one another in times of difficulties has a better health outcome than those that do not. For instance, in Vastervik, Sweden, the workers who lost their jobs get support from the government; thus, a lower illness rate is noticed compared to Greenville, Michigan workers. Finally, public policies that support the social welfare net can prevent unemployed workers from uncertainties that affect their health. Workers who have lost their jobs should be taken care of together with their families. This will prevent diseases, especially those that come as a result of chronic stress.
Sudden loss of jobs can trigger severe illnesses of an individual and lead to the death of individuals. The study shows the social, physical, emotional, and economic vulnerabilities that affect a person and a community at large from the discussions above. These factors may affect an individual’s health, and hence the ability to withstand the impacts of a hostile environment has also been discussed. Authoritative agencies should ensure that more measures are put in place on matters regarding health issues without biasness.