Living conditions affect people's well-being.
Condition is a term that comes from the Latin word condicio . The concept has several uses: when it appears in the plural, it can refer to the circumstances or dispositions that affect the state, quality or situation of something or someone.
Life , on the other hand, also has several meanings. Life refers to the existence of a living being; the way of living; and the time elapsed from birth to the present or until death, for example.
With these ideas in mind, we can move forward with the definition of living conditions . This is the name given to the set of factors that influence a person's well-being .
What are living conditions?
Living conditions are various aspects that can be measured or analyzed and that determine, in part, the way of life of human beings . Depending on their living conditions, an individual usually has greater or lesser possibilities of progress .
There are economic, social, cultural, political and other issues that determine living conditions. It is important to consider that these conditions, while they may be shared by many people , are particular to each individual and correspond to specific moments.
This means that living conditions are not fixed, but can change over time . Suppose a man lives in a precarious house, without sewers or electricity, until he wins the lottery and gets the money he needs to move. So he moves into a house with more comforts and services. It can be said, then, that his living conditions have improved since he won the lottery.
If living conditions are not adequate, the possibilities for progress are limited.
From the material to the emotional
Living conditions are often associated with material elements , especially the availability of economic resources to meet basic needs (food, health , etc.) and the characteristics of the home. This has a direct effect on physical condition, but also emotional consequences .
Those who lack financial security and are unable to cover basic expenses (such as food and healthcare) may suffer from self-esteem problems, anxiety disorders or stress . Living conditions therefore go beyond the material and affect each person in many ways.
Living Conditions Survey
The Living Conditions Survey is a survey carried out in many countries , including those in the European Union ( EU ). It is usually carried out annually to obtain data that allow poverty to be measured and the inequality existing in a community to be known.
The information obtained from the Living Conditions Survey is very useful for the creation and implementation of public policies . When the survey reveals that residents of a certain neighborhood have difficulty accessing the health system, to mention one possibility, the government can decide to build a health care center in that area. If in another district it is noted that the main deficiency is the lack of availability of means of transportation, meanwhile, the authorities can work to facilitate the arrival of the metro or subway to the area.