Determinants of Health and Inequalities
Recognise how trauma, stigma, discrimination, housing, relationships, substance use, biology and access shape mental and physical health.
How to prepare for the NMC Mental Health Nursing CBT
Combine reliable unit-aware calculation with newly qualified mental health nurse judgement grounded in the Code, recovery, rights, therapeutic relationships and safety.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Health outcomes arise from interacting determinants, not solely individual choices.
Exam cue: Connect the determinant to a specific health risk or access barrier.
Concept 2
Assessment should identify structural and personal factors that change distress, risk, protective factors, access and prevention.
Exam cue: Choose a realistic support or referral rather than blame.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Reducing distress to individual choice while ignoring trauma, exclusion or material conditions.
Guardrail: Do not select a familiar task if it ignores deterioration, consent, medicines risk, scope, communication or follow-up.
Offering advice that is impossible within the person's resources.
Guardrail: Do not select a familiar task if it ignores deterioration, consent, medicines risk, scope, communication or follow-up.
Memory anchors
What are determinants of mental health?
Interacting social, economic, environmental, developmental, psychological and biological influences.
What is a health inequality?
A systematic difference in health status or access between groups.
How should low health literacy change care?
Use plain language, accessible formats, teach-back and practical support.
What makes prevention equitable?
Interventions are adapted to barriers, risk and available resources.
What is the nurse's role?
Assess need, provide support, advocate, signpost and coordinate appropriate services.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
A patient repeatedly misses medication because they move between temporary hostels. What should the care plan prioritise?
A person cannot heat their flat and reports worsening sleep, pain and mood. What is the most holistic response?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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