Identifying the Social Determinants of Health Impacting Those Living in Vietnam Affected by Agent-Orange-Related Health Complications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3995Keywords:
Social Determinants of Health, agent orange, vietnamAbstract
Through a literature review, I will be covering the social determinants of health that affect people living in Vietnam who are impacted by Agent Orange exposure. Agent Orange was a chemical herbicide used in the Vietnam War which still has lasting health effects on Vietnamese citizens today. Exposure to Agent Orange causes a number of health issues, including various kinds of cancer, birth defects, and deformities. Social determinants of health are the non-medical conditions that can impact a person's health outcomes. This paper will discuss conditions such as location, gender, education, and ethnicity, all of which may impact the ability of a person with Agent-Orange-related disorders to get the healthcare they need.
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