Health Inequalities: The role of a place

Question 1

Define ‘salutogenesis’.

Answer 1

The study of the origins of health and focuses on factors that support human health and well-being, rather than on factors that cause disease.

Question 2

Define ‘iatrogenic’.

Answer 2

Disease induced in a patient by the treatment or comments of a physician.

Question 3

Define ‘obesogenic’.

Answer 3

Tending to cause obesity.

Question 4

What aspects of the environment matter?

Answer 4

• Food
• Security
• Crime
• Cultural background
• Water
• Proximity/access to (un)healthy supplies
• Housing
• The wider built environment
• Climate
• Physical environment

Question 5

How does food and water matter to the environment?

Answer 5

• Safety – germs, toxins, animals, fluoridation
• Security – guaranteed supply, affordability
• Access/Proximity to unhealthy food/supplies e.g. obesogenic

Question 6

How does housing matter to the environment?

Answer 6

Damp; overcrowded; no garden; safety: structure,
appliances or furniture, temperature control

Question 7

How does the wider built environment matter to the environment?

Answer 7

• Density of bars, off licences, night clubs (alcohol supply, noise and crime); takeaways, healthy food availability
• Traffic: noise, pollution, vibration, accidents, community severance, pavements / cycle paths / traffic speed restrictions
• Gyms / parks / golf courses etc.
• Cultural opportunities e.g. theatre, cinema, community
  centres

Question 8

How does the climate matter to the environment?

Answer 8

Water: floods, drought; cold: excess deaths, lack of
daylight –SAD/suicide; sun/heat: (skin) cancer, heatwave,
forest fires; wind: tsunami/hurricanes/tornadoes, sunshine (vitamin D), outdoor activity opportunities

Question 9

How does the physical environment matter to the environment?

Answer 9

• Earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, rockfall
• Land quality and use: topography, mineral resources,
  pollutants, agriculture
• Forests and woodland, national parks, beaches, lakes –
  opportunities for physical activity, improved mental wellbeing

Question 10

How does the cultural background matter to the environment?

Answer 10

How does the behaviour of those around you
influence your own behaviour and health –
(passive) smoking, alcohol consumption, diet,
learned behaviour

Question 11

How does crime matter to the environment?

Answer 11

fear: stress; victim: violence/racism; theft: fear,
poverty