Essay 3 Flashcards
(6 cards)
Health inequalities
Diet, smoking, alcohol , access to care
Diet
Death from cardiovascular disease are 5x more higher in the most deprived areas compared to those in the least deprived areas , as those living in the least deprived areas tend to have healthier diets. This is mainly due to the high prices of healthy foods such as fresh fish , fruits & veg being too expensive for low income families. As many low income families opt to a cheaper solution such as ready meals, which contain high levels of sodium contributing to health issues.
Children living in the most deprived areas are twice as likely to be obese compared to those in the least. Individualists argue that this is down to dietary choices however collectivists argue that this is down to the prices of healthy foods. Overall diets are a large factor which impacts health inequalities through pricing of healthy foods and people being totally oblivious on just how bad their diet is.
Smoking
Smoking kills 1 in 2 long term smokers , usually from lung cancer. 32% of adults in the most deprived areas are current smokers compared to 6% in the least deprived areas. Women in the most deprived areas are 11x more likely to smoke during pregnancy compared to women in the least deprived areas. This can cause the child to experience respiratory problems when they are born.
Individualists argue that smoking is a life style choice but collectivists argue that it can be used as a coping mechanism for low income families to use as they struggle to make ends meet. Overall it is clear that smoking impacts health inequalities through people at any age.
Alcohol
Hazardous alcohol consumption can lead to liver disease such cirrhosis. Over the past decade harmful alcohol consumption has been higher in the least deprived areas, compared to the most deprived areas. However people living in the most deprived area are 5x more likely to die from alcohol. This can mainly be down to the way the alcohol is being consumed.
For example binge drinking is much more common in deprived areas compared to least deprived. Those in the least deprived areas tend to over consume alcohol, however it is often over the course of a luxurious meal or 2. Overall alcohol affects health inequality through binge drinking and the cumulative affect of other bad habits.
Access to health services
Poverty related health issues are common in deprived areas but health professionals are usually deterred from working in deprived areas which leads to a lack of staff and waiting times. Aswell as people living in deprived areas , they may lack things like transport to attend appointments or technology to access online appointments and they may also be on zero hour contracts at work ; which means they may not want to take time off work to attend an appointment as they may miss out on pay.
Overall accessing health services is a factor impacting on health inequalities as people living in deprived areas may have longer wait times to be seen and also may have trouble actually attending their appointments , leaving health issues untreated.
Conclusion
In conclusion health inequality is a big issue that needs addressing through so,emotional the factors discussed. Some factors bigger than other for example, diet is a massive contributor to health inequality nowadays, as cost of living limits people’s shopping.
