Explain how socioeconomic characteristics can affect the health behaviours of Australians. (5 marks)
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*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method to show cause and effect: [P] State the cause/factor [E] Show how it causes the effect [Ev] Evidence demonstrating why/how [L] Reinforce the causal relationship. **Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.
*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method to show cause and effect: [P] State the cause/factor [E] Show how it causes the effect [Ev] Evidence demonstrating why/how [L] Reinforce the causal relationship.
**Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.
- [P] Education levels determine health literacy.
- [E] This leads to different abilities among individuals to understand health information.
- [Ev] As a result, university graduates are more likely to correctly interpret nutrition labels while those with limited education are at greater risk of misunderstand things like dosage instructions.
- [L] This shows a connection between education and health decision-making ability.
- [P] Employment provides structure and resources.
- [E] This promotes regular health routines and provides greater access to workplace health programs.
- [Ev] This happens when employers provide programs that offer gym discounts and mental health support, improving their employees overall wellbeing.
- [L] These elements work together to create healthier lifestyle patterns.
- [P] Income constraints can limit health choices.
- [E] This results in prioritising immediate essential needs such as rent over preventative care.
- [Ev] The reason for this is low-income families spend, on average, 40% of household income on housing, leaving little or nothing for things like for gym memberships or quality (expensive) food.
- [L] This demonstrates why poverty directly impacts health behaviours through restricted options.