Q1 Health Inequalities Flashcards
(22 cards)
Intro to Discuss the prevalence of Health Inequalities
Commonly understood that there are health inequalities globally it can often be overlooked that within the UK we suffer from differences in health and wellbeing
Health Foundation 2022
Cross sectional study
Women in the poorest area have same number of diagnosed illnesses as 60 than those in the richest have at 76yrs old
On average people in poorest are diagnosed with illnesses 10yrs younger when in poorest compared with richest
Why is early diagnosis an issue
Less years in good health
Health interventions earlier
Reducing quality of life
Pros of health foundation research
Post covid study
Considers the whole of the UK
Cons of health foundation research
Cross-sectional observational study so can not be used to determine causes
London Health observatory
Even within the same city differences in health
Every 2 tube stops east of Westminster reduces life by 1 yr
London Health observatory achieve
Highlight levels of inequality within one city
Cons of health London Health observatory
Arbitrary figure
Does not take into account the pockets of wealth and poverty in London
Whitehall study main aim
Show how health inequalities go beyond a persons postcode and focuses on work status
Whitehall study findings
Lower status and lower pay jobs when accounting for confounding factors increase risk of CVD mortality 2.1 higher rate
Also people in those jobs are more likely to smoke and be obese
Whitehall study overall
While completed in the 60s it did highlights how a persons socio-economic status may increase risk for NCDs
How does diet contribute to these drawing on models introduction
Clear that health inequalities exist within the UK but its is important to understand mechanisms to try and improve health of individuals that need it most.
Diet leads to more premature deaths than alcohol and drugs combined.
In order to fully understand the reason behind a change in diet many epidemiologists draw on models such as Dahgren and whitehead rainbow model.
Early model but lead to future models such as health model and WHO model.
Who came up with Rainbow Model
Dahlgren and Whitehead
First area of Rainbow model to consider
Individual personal preference.
Persons own choices and preferences is why they eat what they eat.
Example includes opting for takeaway which is calorie dense and lacks micronutrients.
What research has suggested take away isn’t just personal choice
University of Sheffield have highlighted that around the UK there are areas that are food swamps such as areas of the North East.
If a person lives in these areas there access to takeaway is greater ta access to fresh produce of healthier alternatives.
Overall for personal choice
While a person can choose to not have unhealthy foods the decision is impacted by there social and community network.
What other ways does social and community network interact with Rainbow model
May impact a persons education level or job aspirations.
This may be due to different aspirations between communities
Types of jobs with different working environment
Office or wfh job owning your own trade business or a shift manager.
Trade worker access to fridge for lunch is limited limiting options for one of the meals a day.
Whitehall study and working environment
The more free an individual is during the work day the lower the risk on NCDs.
Research by Bonham Monash University
9-5 job often result in better eating habits and health than a person on shifts particularly nights
Educational differences around UK
Some areas of the UK have more students attending university than others.
Importance of education
Higher the level of education a person receives the more susceptible to nutritional education in later life.
More likely to follow government Eatwell plate and guidance and even follow advice of dietician.
