Select ONE of the following groups that experience health inequities:
- Socioeconomically disadvantaged people
- People in rural and remote areas
- Overseas-born people
- The elderly
- People with disabilities
To what extent do socioeconomic factors affect the health of this group? (8 marks)
Group selected:............................................................................................
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Group selected: People with disabilities
Introduction – Overall judgement
- Socioeconomic factors significantly affect the health of people with disabilities in Australia
- Create a cycle of disadvantage that severely impacts both physical and mental wellbeing
- Influence multiple aspects of life including healthcare access, housing, and social participation
Employment barriers – Primary socioeconomic influence
- Approximately 30% lower employment rates than general population
- Limited income potential restricts ability to afford:
-
- Specialised healthcare services not covered by Medicare
- Gap payments for NDIS-supported therapies
- Essential assistive technologies and modifications
- Directly impacts access to vital treatments, therapies, and medications
Educational disadvantage – Compounding factor
- Physical access barriers and inadequate support in educational settings
- Lower completion rates of secondary and tertiary education
- Results in limited employment options and lower-paying positions
- Creates cycle of disadvantage affecting ability to afford:
-
- Private health insurance
- Preventative healthcare services
- Regular health monitoring
Housing challenges – Financial manifestation
- Limited accessible housing options at premium prices
- Contributes to housing stress and potential homelessness
- Associated mental health conditions including anxiety and depression
- Extended waiting lists for accessible public housing (often several years)
- Many forced to live in unsuitable accommodation that compromises health and safety
Counter-argument – Other determinants:
- Environmental barriers exist regardless of socioeconomic status
- Healthcare system gaps include inaccessible facilities and equipment
- Societal attitudes and stigma affect quality of care
- Healthcare professionals’ lack of disability awareness leads to diagnostic overshadowing
- These factors can affect health independent of financial means
Predominant influence – Financial burden:
- Gap payments for therapies not fully covered by support systems
- Specialised equipment costs beyond subsidies
- Home modifications essential for independence
- Significant portion of household income consumed by disability-related expenses
- Disability Support Pension often insufficient, falling below poverty line
- Forces difficult choices between healthcare needs and other essentials
Conclusion – Final judgment:
- Socioeconomic factors affect health of people with disabilities to a very large extent
- While other factors contribute, financial disadvantage creates the most pervasive barriers
- Long-term cycle of disadvantage significantly impacts:
-
- Quality of life
- Health outcomes
- Life expectancy for Australians with disabilities
Show Worked Solution
Group selected: People with disabilities
Introduction – Overall judgement
- Socioeconomic factors significantly affect the health of people with disabilities in Australia
- Create a cycle of disadvantage that severely impacts both physical and mental wellbeing
- Influence multiple aspects of life including healthcare access, housing, and social participation
Employment barriers – Primary socioeconomic influence
- Approximately 30% lower employment rates than general population
- Limited income potential restricts ability to afford:
-
- Specialised healthcare services not covered by Medicare
- Gap payments for NDIS-supported therapies
- Essential assistive technologies and modifications
- Directly impacts access to vital treatments, therapies, and medications
Educational disadvantage – Compounding factor
- Physical access barriers and inadequate support in educational settings
- Lower completion rates of secondary and tertiary education
- Results in limited employment options and lower-paying positions
- Creates cycle of disadvantage affecting ability to afford:
-
- Private health insurance
- Preventative healthcare services
- Regular health monitoring
Housing challenges – Financial manifestation
- Limited accessible housing options at premium prices
- Contributes to housing stress and potential homelessness
- Associated mental health conditions including anxiety and depression
- Extended waiting lists for accessible public housing (often several years)
- Many forced to live in unsuitable accommodation that compromises health and safety
Counter-argument – Other determinants:
- Environmental barriers exist regardless of socioeconomic status
- Healthcare system gaps include inaccessible facilities and equipment
- Societal attitudes and stigma affect quality of care
- Healthcare professionals’ lack of disability awareness leads to diagnostic overshadowing
- These factors can affect health independent of financial means
Predominant influence – Financial burden:
- Gap payments for therapies not fully covered by support systems
- Specialised equipment costs beyond subsidies
- Home modifications essential for independence
- Significant portion of household income consumed by disability-related expenses
- Disability Support Pension often insufficient, falling below poverty line
- Forces difficult choices between healthcare needs and other essentials
Conclusion – Final judgment:
- Socioeconomic factors affect health of people with disabilities to a very large extent
- While other factors contribute, financial disadvantage creates the most pervasive barriers
- Long-term cycle of disadvantage significantly impacts:
-
- Quality of life
- Health outcomes
- Life expectancy for Australians with disabilities
♦♦ Mean mark 45%.