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Socio-Environmental Approach

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Socio-Environmental Approach

The socio-environmental approach to disease prevention, also identified as the socio-ecological

model is used to better understand a disease and subsequent effects of implementing prevention

strategies. The model has four distinct levels used to better understand a disease and then come

up with appropriate prevention strategies. The goal of the model is to stop the disease before it

begins or manifests in the individual and can be used in understanding different diseases (Early,

2016). One of the prevalent diseases that can be comprehensively analyzed by the model is

cancer.

Based on the model, carrying out a cancer disease control and prevention will begin with the first

level, which is the individual. Under the individual level, all personal history and biological

factors that increase the prevalence of contracting cancer are identified. Some of these factors

include exposure to certain chemicals ad radiation, tobacco and alcohol use, some viral

infections, and family history. Prevention strategies at the individual level are designed to

encourage behaviors that prevent cancer.

The second level is relationship, which analyses any close associations or relationships that may

increase the risk of contracting cancer. The close circle of a person such as family and peers

influence their behaviors, contributing to a range of practices that increase the prevalence of

suffering from cancer (Lewis et al., 2017). Prevention strategies at this level involve mentoring

and prevention programs that reduce exposure to cancer-causing conditions and healthy

relationships.

The third level in the model is community, which examines settings such as the neighborhood,

schools, and workplaces where social relationships take place. Cancer prevention strategies at
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this level are designed to have a positive impact on the processes, climate, and policies that

address cancer-causing elements within the social environment.

The fourth level in the model is societal, which explores the broad societal factors that create a

climate where cancer is inhibited or encouraged. Societal factors include cultural and social

norms that encourage poor health structures for caner screening and treatment, poor education

systems to offer education about cancer, and capitalist policies (Early, 2016). These factors fail

to address carcinogenic environments.

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References

Early, J. (2016). Health is More than Healthcare: Its Time for a Social Ecological Approach.

Journal of Nursing and Health Studies, 01(01). https://doi.org/10.21767/2574-

2825.100000e2

Lewis, S., Barry, M., Bucher, L., Goldsworthy, S., Harding, M., Heitkemper, M. M., Kwong, J.,

Lok, J., Roberts, D., & Tyerman, J. (2017). Medical-surgical nursing in Canada:

assessment and management of clinical problems (4th ed.). Elsevier Canada, A Division

Of Reed Elseviercanada, Ltd. (Original work published 1983)