OPIC Flashcards
Problems with inequality in health
Income distribution theory – relative income within a county matters more than the average income
o The UK has a steep wealth gradient (lots of people far away from average)
The Black Report – looking at reasons for socioeconomic differences in health
○ Artefact – due to statistical and measurement problems
■ Concerns about quality of data and method of measurement
○ Social selection – ill-health causes lower class
■ Chronically ill people are more likely to be disadvantaged
○ Behavioural – ill-health due to people’s choices and decisions
■ Lower classes engage in more damaging behaviour e.g. smoking
○ Materialist – low income allows less money to be spent on health etc.
■ Lack of choice in exposure to hazards and adverse conditions
Features of Marmot - aims for fair society
o Give every child the best start
o Enable all children and adults to maximise their capabilities and have control over their lives
o Create fair employment and good work for all
o Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
o Create and develop healthy sustainable places and communities
o Strengthen the role and impact of health prevention
How can community groups/charities can help
o Food – e.g. donations from supermarkets, food voucher schemes
o Housing – advice, temporary shelter
o Transport – to medical appointments
o Debt – advice
o Older patients who are housebound and can’t collect medication
o Isolation (especially in elderly)
o Drug and substance abuse help and advice
Define carer
Person of any age who provides unpaid support to a partner, child, relative or friend who wouldn’t manage to live independently or whose health/wellbeing would deteriorate without help
May be due to frailty, disability, serious health condition, mental ill health or substance abuse
How can carers help
· Medical knowledge · Organisation · Listening/patient · Communication · Stress management · Food preparation · Health care · Lifting and handling · Safety/awareness of hazards · Financial and legal help · Transport
When taking a hx from a carer establish
· Frequency of crises
· What they do in a crisis – do they need help?
· What services they have access to – for the patient
· What welfare support they have – for themselves
· Impact of their health, social life, finances, employment
o Eligibility for carers allowance if caring for over 35 hours a week
o Council tax reduction
o Income support
o Universal credit
