Rainbow Model of Health
Health models assist with the identification of important factors influencing the health of both populations and individuals. There is more to health than strictly physical factors, and the Dahlgren-Whitehead ‘rainbow model’ helps to uncover many other influences by mapping “not just the physical and environmental conditions in which people live” but also “the psychosocial factors such as social networks, social status and individual lifestyle” (Models of Health, 2017).
As a registered nurse, it is my responsibility to treat my patients while keeping all these levels in mind. I recognize that every patient is unique and has their own specific set of needs. These differences lie in our genetics, our lifestyle and career, along with our culture and values. It is important to assess every factor of a patients’ health in order to care for them in the most thorough and effective way.
Each patient is unique, and genetics and physiology can assist in our investigation of an individual’s needs. Looking for the specific needs of each patient can be found by identifying age, sex, family history etc., to help assess, identify and prevent illness or risk of illness. Along with genetic and physical elements, it is important to assess a patients support systems. Family and friends can be very important to assist in recovery, and we need to be able to identify what resources may be needed by an individual for health improvement. For example, if a patient has no family in the country to help take care of them after surgery, a referral to homecare may be necessary.
Community plays a large part in the access to health resources. Living in a big city such as Calgary, AB, I have access to hospitals, clinics, online resources, support groups and many more health resources to promote my health and prevent or treat illness. Living in rural Alberta, it can be difficult to access the same clinics or resources due to a lack of space, funding, population needs and subsiding in a remote location. The accessibility of valuable resources such as intensive care units, prenatal care, support groups etc., can significantly increase an individuals or populations health promotion or illness prevention.
Along with location and accessibility are the conditions in which individuals live and work. In Canada we have access to food, shelter, clean drinking water and many other necessities, but some third world countries do not have the same access to these needs. Hydration, proper nutrition, sanitation and medicine are some of the elements that we need to maintain a healthy body or population. Work environments can also put one’s health at risk. Accidents are more prone to happen working with heavy equipment, such as in the rigs in the oil fields in northern Alberta, than if you were to work at a desk in a nice warm office every day.
This health model identifies many different and significant influences, all of which contribute to the health of individuals and their societies. By investigating and addressing as many individual and environments effects as we can, we can promote and improve the overall health of many diverse societies.
References
Figure 1. Dehlgren-Whitehead ‘Rainbow Model’ of health. Reprinted from Community Development & Health Network. (2017). Retrieved March 03, 2019 from https://www.cdhn.org/sites/default/files/downloads/FACTSHEETS%201_Screen%20View%281%29.pdf
Models of Health. (2017). In Community Development & Health Network. Retrieved March 3, 2019 from https://www.cdhn.org/sites/default/files/downloads/FACTSHEETS%201_Screen%20View%281%29.pdf