Health Inequities and Health Literacy/Health Status Flashcards
(16 cards)
AH GUARD DOGGSS (Health inequities acronym)
Access to health care
Health Literacy
Geographic location
Unemployment
Access and level of education
Racism
Dislocation of land
Discrimination
Occupation
Gender
Government economic and social policies
Social isolation
Socioeconomic status
Describe geographic location
As the distance from major cities increases, health inequities increase; individuals living in remote and isolated communities have the poorest health of all Australians in Australia. Health facilities and services are often lacking in these communities. The ratio of doctors to patients is lower. There are high levels of unemployment, lower socioeconomic status, increased violence against women, and the increased use of alcohol and other drugs.
Describe Dislocation of land
Dislocation of land refers to the forced removal or separation of people from their traditional lands or environment, which has a significant impact on their health, wellbeing, and cultural identity.
Describe Gender
Males and females are affected by different health issues and have different life expectancies. Females tend to outlive males, however, they are more likely to be hospitalised earlier in life due to pregnancy and childbirth. Stereotypes and strict gender norms can impact on the health of all people.
Describe Access to health care
Access to health care refers to a person’s ability to obtain and use appropriate health services when needed. It includes more than just availability—it also involves factors like affordability, location, cultural acceptability, and health literacy.
Describe unemployment
Unemployment refers to the condition of being without paid work, while actively seeking employment. It reduces income and can create long-term social and emotional consequences. The unemployed are at an increased risk of mental illness due to reduced self-worth and loss of identity. They are less likely to have the money to pay for private health insurance and as a consequence, must use the public health system to access health care.
Describe Occupation
Certain occupations carry a greater degree of risk to health than others. For example, long-distance truck drivers are at greater risk of motor vehicle accidents whilst plasterers are at greater risk of developing lung disease. Also, unsafe or unethical workplace practices may cause unjust or unfair working situations for employees, which may include workplace bullying, sexual harassment and risks to physical safety.
Describe access to and level of education
This refers to both a person’s ability to access education (early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary) and the highest level of education they achieve. Education provides knowledge, skills, and opportunities that shape long-term health outcomes.
Describe government economic and social policies
These are decisions and actions by governments that affect how resources are distributed across areas such as healthcare, education, housing, employment, welfare, and income support. These policies can either reduce or widen health inequalities, depending on how they are designed and implemented.
Describe socioeconomic status
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure that combines a person’s income, education level, and occupation. It reflects how much access a person has to material and social resources that support health and wellbeing.
(extra info) -It appears that people in high socioeconomic groups tend to spend time, money and energy on preventative medicine such as regular medical check-ups, breast screening, immunisations, diet and exercise, whereas those in the low socioeconomic groups tend to make greater use of doctors and emergency services, and less use of preventative health services.
Describe social isolation
Social isolation has a negative impact on health. It is more difficult to access health facilities in rural areas or in new environments. In addition, isolation may lead to individuals suffering from depression and stress-related conditions.
Describe health literacy
A number of factors may influence an individual’s health literacy, including living in poverty, education, race/ethnicity, age, and disability. Adults living below the poverty level have lower health literacy than adults living above the poverty level.
Describe discrimination
Discrimination means being treated unfairly or unjustly on the basis of gender, age, race, physical or intellectual impairment. Being part of a group that is discriminated against can lead to poorer physical and mental health.
Describe racism
Racism involves the belief that one race is superior to others and leads to discriminatory actions, behaviours, or policies that marginalize or exclude people based on their race or ethnicity. It can be overt or subtle
What is a health inequity
Not all people have equal access to health or the equal ability to achieve good health. These differences are identified as health inequities
What does a health inequity contribute to?
Poor heath status
