Socioeconomic status is one of the social factors affecting health outcomes. Peltzer and Pengpid assert that income, employment status or occupation, and level of education are social factors that measure the socioeconomic status impact on health outcomes. As the socioeconomic status (SES) rises, there is a drop in the prevalence of risk factors for some diseases, especially those associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. For example, an individual, country, city, or state with higher income ensures the patients go for early diagnosis and access to advanced treatment. Therefore, components of socioeconomic factors have an impact on health outcomes.
Health literacy is a social factor that also influences health outcomes in several ways. According to Liechty, health literacy is affected by age, ethnicity, and geographic region. Geographical areas characterized by low literacy levels and persons discriminated against based on their race and ethnic backgrounds have common health outcomes. Patients lack enough knowledge about their condition or give an unclear explanation on how they feel likely to lead to misdiagnosis. Similarly, the use of unclarified medical jargon to patients can lead to misunderstanding of the medication instructions, and thus it may result in low health outcomes.
An intervention to provide health literacy can be delivered to improve health outcomes. According to Adams, health literacy will provide a platform for comprehending and applying health information. Therefore, high health literacy leads to favorable health outcomes. Adams notes improved health outcomes are determined by proper care at the health facility, understandable and straightforward language in the health-related materials, and training of health practitioners in proper techniques of communication.
The health care system is mandated to ensure a conducive environment and interaction between the patients and health practitioners is enabled to improve health outcomes. Simple contact with patients through avoidance of medical jargon, answering patients’ questions with enthusiasm, and using visual aids and teach-backs aid in confirming comprehension to the patients. The healthcare system should provide a conducive facility setting, avail time for all persons without discrimination, and offer explanations of the medical information. Health literacy, therefore, ensures the interaction of patients indirectly and directly.
To reach the desired outcomes, the social workers should complete a few tasks. Liechty indicates that some of these tasks are clinical tasks, such as performing a physical examination of patients, writing medical prescriptions, and offering a correct interpretation of instructions for medications, and preventive tasks, such as providing counseling and comprehension of gender and age-related medical services. Also, navigation of the health care system in executing the public medical services.