HMS, HAG 2016 HSC 31b

To what extent do different factors contribute to the health inequities experienced by a population group in Australia? (12 marks)

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Assessment Statement

Different factors contribute to a significant extent in creating health inequities experienced by people with disability in Australia.
Socioeconomic, environmental and social determinants interact systematically to create compounding disadvantages that limit health outcomes substantially.

Socioeconomic Factors – Major Contribution

Employment discrimination creates substantial health inequities for people with disability through reduced income and limited healthcare access.
Unemployment rates exceed 50% among people with intellectual disability compared to 5% in the general population.
This economic disadvantage leads to reliance on public healthcare systems with extended waiting periods and reduced specialist access.
Evidence supporting major impact includes people with disability experiencing twice the rate of unmet healthcare needs due to financial barriers.
Private health insurance remains unaffordable, limiting access to allied health services like physiotherapy and psychology that could prevent secondary health complications.

Environmental Factors – Substantial Contribution

Physical accessibility barriers significantly restrict healthcare service utilisation among people with mobility impairments and sensory disabilities.
Medical facilities often lack appropriate ramps, accessible toilets, and communication aids required for safe healthcare delivery.
Transport limitations compound access problems with inadequate accessible public transport preventing routine medical appointments and emergency service access.
Geographic isolation particularly affects rural people with disability who face combinations of physical barriers and service shortages creating severe health disadvantages.

Social Factors – Moderate Contribution

Healthcare provider attitudes create discrimination and poor-quality care experiences that discourage continued healthcare engagement.
Limited disability awareness training results in miscommunication, inappropriate treatment approaches and inadequate accommodation of individual needs.
These social barriers lead to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate medication management, and reduced preventative care participation among people with disability.

Final Assessment

Evidence demonstrates significant combined impact where multiple factors interact to create systematic exclusion from optimal healthcare.
Socioeconomic factors prove most influential through direct financial barriers, while environmental and social factors amplify existing disadvantages substantially.

Show Worked Solution

Assessment Statement

Different factors contribute to a significant extent in creating health inequities experienced by people with disability in Australia.
Socioeconomic, environmental and social determinants interact systematically to create compounding disadvantages that limit health outcomes substantially.

Socioeconomic Factors – Major Contribution

Employment discrimination creates substantial health inequities for people with disability through reduced income and limited healthcare access.
Unemployment rates exceed 50% among people with intellectual disability compared to 5% in the general population.
This economic disadvantage leads to reliance on public healthcare systems with extended waiting periods and reduced specialist access.
Evidence supporting major impact includes people with disability experiencing twice the rate of unmet healthcare needs due to financial barriers.
Private health insurance remains unaffordable, limiting access to allied health services like physiotherapy and psychology that could prevent secondary health complications.

Environmental Factors – Substantial Contribution

Physical accessibility barriers significantly restrict healthcare service utilisation among people with mobility impairments and sensory disabilities.
Medical facilities often lack appropriate ramps, accessible toilets, and communication aids required for safe healthcare delivery.
Transport limitations compound access problems with inadequate accessible public transport preventing routine medical appointments and emergency service access.
Geographic isolation particularly affects rural people with disability who face combinations of physical barriers and service shortages creating severe health disadvantages.

Social Factors – Moderate Contribution

Healthcare provider attitudes create discrimination and poor-quality care experiences that discourage continued healthcare engagement.
Limited disability awareness training results in miscommunication, inappropriate treatment approaches and inadequate accommodation of individual needs.
These social barriers lead to delayed diagnosis, inappropriate medication management, and reduced preventative care participation among people with disability.

Final Assessment

Evidence demonstrates significant combined impact where multiple factors interact to create systematic exclusion from optimal healthcare.
Socioeconomic factors prove most influential through direct financial barriers, while environmental and social factors amplify existing disadvantages substantially.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.