\(D\)

\(C\)

• Health inequities arise from complex interactions between social, economic and environmental factors that systematically disadvantage certain population groups through unequal access to health-promoting resources.
• Socioeconomic disadvantage creates health inequities by limiting access to essential health-promoting resources and opportunities. Low income levels restrict access to nutritious foods, safe housing and quality healthcare services that are necessary for optimal health outcomes. Educational limitations reduce health literacy and decision-making capacity, leading to poor health choices and delayed healthcare seeking. Employment instability generates chronic stress and prevents consistent healthcare access through insurance coverage. This results in higher rates of chronic diseases, mental health issues and premature mortality among disadvantaged populations compared to affluent groups.
• Geographic isolation contributes to health inequities through reduced access to healthcare services and health-promoting infrastructure. Rural and remote communities experience significant barriers including limited healthcare facilities, specialist shortages and extensive travel requirements for medical care. Distance from services delays emergency treatment and prevents regular preventive healthcare access. Poor infrastructure limits access to clean water, sanitation systems and recreational facilities that support healthy lifestyles. These geographic barriers result in higher injury rates, unmanaged chronic conditions and reduced life expectancy compared to metropolitan populations.
• Both factors interact to compound disadvantage, as socioeconomically disadvantaged groups are more likely to live in geographically isolated areas where healthcare access remains most limited.

Rural and Remote Australians

• Media representation directly shapes public perceptions about rural communities through stereotypical portrayals that influence funding priorities.
• This occurs because mainstream media often depicts rural areas as backward or resistant to change rather than highlighting systemic disadvantages.
• When negative stereotypes dominate coverage of rural health issues, urban audiences develop unsympathetic attitudes toward resource allocation needs.
• For instance, when television programs portray rural people as self-reliant and independent, public support decreases for government health service funding in remote areas.
    
• Limited media access creates barriers to health promotion message delivery that compounds existing rural health disadvantages.
• This happens because rural communities often experience poor internet connectivity and reduced television reception affecting health campaign exposure.
• Geographic isolation leads to missed opportunities for accessing digital health promotion initiatives and online health resources.
• Evidence of this includes rural youth missing social media mental health campaigns due to poor digital infrastructure, resulting in delayed help-seeking behaviours during crisis periods.
    
• Positive media advocacy generates significant policy improvements when rural health stories receive compassionate and accurate representation.
• This works by humanising rural health challenges and creating emotional connections with urban audiences and politicians.
• Community-driven media initiatives trigger increased government attention and funding announcements for rural health infrastructure development.
• A clear example is rural communities using local newspapers and radio stations to document healthcare worker shortages, prompting state government recruitment incentive programs and improved medical training placements.

\(C\)

• Economic changes support populations experiencing health inequity because improved financial resources enable better access to healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices. This occurs because economic disadvantage creates barriers to accessing medical services, nutritious food and safe housing.
  For example, increasing minimum wages and providing employment opportunities enables low-income families to afford preventive healthcare and quality food. This leads to reduced financial stress and improved capacity to make healthy choices.
  Additionally, government investment in affordable housing programs creates stable living environments that support better health outcomes. The reason for this is secure housing reduces exposure to environmental health risks and provides a foundation for accessing education and employment.
• Cultural changes address health inequities because they challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices that prevent equal access to healthcare. This happens when healthcare providers receive cultural competency training to better understand diverse populations’ needs.
  For instance, implementing culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples results in increased trust and participation in health programs.
  Consequently, this produces higher rates of preventive care utilisation and better health outcomes.
  Furthermore, community education campaigns that reduce stigma around mental health facilitate greater help-seeking behaviour among affected populations.
• Therefore, combined economic and cultural interventions create comprehensive support systems that address both structural barriers and social attitudes. This process ensures sustainable improvements in health equity across different population groups.

Any TWO of the following

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (social exclusion)

• Social exclusion affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through historical disconnection from mainstream services and community networks.
• This isolation reduces access to healthcare, employment opportunities, and social support systems that promote wellbeing.

Socioeconomically disadvantaged (educational disadvantage)

• Educational disadvantage creates barriers to health literacy and employment for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
• Lower education levels limit understanding of health information and reduce income potential, affecting ability to access quality healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices.

Culturally and linguistically diverse (cultural discrimination)

• Cultural discrimination impacts culturally and linguistically diverse populations through language barriers and prejudice in healthcare settings.
• This discrimination reduces trust in health services and creates reluctance to seek medical help when needed.

Rural and remote (geographic isolation)

• Geographic isolation affects rural and remote populations through limited access to specialist services and transport difficulties.
• Distance barriers prevent regular health monitoring and emergency care access, leading to delayed treatment and poorer outcomes.