Socioeconomic Factors, Consumer Health, and Broader Well-Being

This book explores the intricate connections between socioeconomic factors, consumer health, and broader well-being, offering a multidisciplinary perspective on how various determinants shape individual and community health outcomes. By addressing key issues such as mental health in workplace environments, adolescent health education, consumer behaviour in food choices, and the well-being of older adults, the book highlights the pressing need for holistic health interventions. The chapters provide a diverse range of research-based insights, employing quantitative and qualitative methodologies to advance the discourse on public health and wellness.

The book is structured into five key sections, each focusing on a critical aspect of health and wellness. Each section reflects a unique lens, ranging from gender and mental health to cultural wellness practices and elderly care, capturing both the diversity of lived experiences and the systemic factors that shape well-being.

In “Bridging Gaps in Adolescent Health and Hygiene Education,” we explore community-based interventions among tribal adolescents in Purulia, West Bengal. “Empowering Women through Workplace Wellness” highlights innovative strategies from Bangladesh aimed at promoting gender-inclusive health environments. The chapter on urban mental health delves into gendered patterns of psychological well-being within rapidly changing cityscapes. In contrast, “Dancing Away Stress” offers a creative and holistic approach to emotional regulation through expressive movement. Lastly, “I Am Alone but Not Lonely” investigates how living arrangements among older Indian adults influence their sense of autonomy and quality of life. Together, these chapters foreground a critical message: that health and well-being are deeply social phenomena: shaped by culture, context, opportunity, and inequality.

In aligning with the Vision Viksit Bharat agenda, this volume emphasizes that achieving holistic national development requires a sustained focus on social inclusion, gender equity, and mental and physical wellness across all stages of life. It is intended for academics, policymakers, health professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the broader socioeconomic dimensions of well-being. Through empirical research and case studies, it advocates for policies and practices that promote equitable health outcomes for all.