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HMS, HIC 2012 HSC 7 MC

Which of the following is a clear example of social justice principles in action?

  1. Providing children and infants with priority health care in all instances
  2. Providing public health policies that are passed by government officials
  3. Providing health materials and services that are delivered in a variety of languages
  4. Providing incentives for people of higher socioeconomic status to use private health care facilities
Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Multilingual health services demonstrate equity and access principles.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Priority based on age alone isn’t equitable.
  • B is incorrect: Policy creation doesn’t demonstrate social justice implementation.
  • D is incorrect: Incentivising wealthy people contradicts equity principles.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32b

Explain how the social justice framework can be applied to address factors which may cause health inequities in Australia.   (12 marks)

Show Answers Only

  • The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
  • Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
  • Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
  • Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
  • Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
  • The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

Show Worked Solution

  • The social justice framework provides structured approaches to reduce health inequities through four key principles. This works by addressing systemic barriers that prevent equal health outcomes for all Australians across different population groups.
  • Participation ensures that disadvantaged communities have meaningful voice in health policy decisions and service design. This occurs because involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in healthcare planning leads to culturally appropriate services that respect traditional healing practices. Therefore, community consultation enables targeted interventions that address specific population needs whilst promoting self-determination in health choices and empowering communities to identify their own health priorities.
  • Equity focuses on providing resources based on need rather than equal distribution across all areas. This means that remote communities receive additional funding for healthcare services to compensate for geographical disadvantages. As a result, mobile health clinics deliver specialist care to isolated populations, which reduces geographical barriers to treatment and creates more balanced health outcomes. Furthermore, equity requires addressing underlying social determinants like housing and education that influence health status.
  • Access removes physical, financial, and cultural barriers preventing people from using health services effectively. This happens when bulk billing medical services eliminate financial obstacles for low-income families and pensioners. Consequently, Indigenous health services provide culturally safe environments that encourage help-seeking behaviours and improve health service utilisation rates. Additionally, interpreter services enable culturally diverse populations to communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
  • Rights establishes that all Australians deserve quality healthcare regardless of background, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. This triggers policy changes that protect vulnerable groups from discrimination and ensure equal treatment opportunities. Therefore, anti-discrimination legislation prevents healthcare denial based on ethnicity or socioeconomic status, which ensures equal treatment opportunities and promotes dignity in healthcare interactions.
  • The significance is that these principles work together to create comprehensive solutions addressing multiple inequality causes simultaneously. This demonstrates that social justice frameworks can systematically address multiple causes of health inequities whilst promoting sustainable improvements in population health outcomes and creating more equitable Australian society.

♦♦♦ Mean mark 37%.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 036

Assess how the social justice principle of equity has been applied to improve the health outcomes of people with disabilities in Australia.   (8 marks)

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Judgment Statement

  • The application of equity principles has been moderately effective in improving health outcomes for people with disabilities.
  • This assessment examines healthcare accessibility and support system effectiveness.

Healthcare Accessibility

  • Medicare and PBS subsidies demonstrate strong financial equity measures. These programs reduce medication costs and provide bulk-billing options for people with disabilities. 
  • These and other similar programs have resulted in significant improvements in basic healthcare access.
  • However, specialist treatments still require high out-of-pocket expenses. Many wheelchair users report paying thousands for equipment not fully covered.
  • This shows limited effectiveness in addressing all healthcare costs. The results indicate strong foundations but incomplete coverage.

Support System Effectiveness

  • The NDIS achieves significant individualised support for participants. It provides funding for therapies, equipment and care based on personal needs.
  • This demonstrates high effectiveness in tailoring services.
  • Notwithstanding this success, implementation problems create major barriers. Long wait times and complex paperwork exclude many eligible people.
  • Rural participants face minimal service options compared to cities.
  • When all factors are considered, equity application remains inconsistent across locations.

Overall Assessment

  • On balance, equity initiatives prove moderately successful with substantial room for improvement. While programs like NDIS and Medicare produce measurable results, gaps persist in coverage and access. The 30% employment gap between people with and without disabilities indicates systemic inequities remain.
  • This assessment shows Australia needs more comprehensive equity strategies to ensure equal health outcomes for all people with disabilities.
Show Worked Solution

Judgment Statement

  • The application of equity principles has been moderately effective in improving health outcomes for people with disabilities.
  • This assessment examines healthcare accessibility and support system effectiveness.

Healthcare Accessibility

  • Medicare and PBS subsidies demonstrate strong financial equity measures. These programs reduce medication costs and provide bulk-billing options for people with disabilities. 
  • These and other similar programs have resulted in significant improvements in basic healthcare access.
  • However, specialist treatments still require high out-of-pocket expenses. Many wheelchair users report paying thousands for equipment not fully covered.
  • This shows limited effectiveness in addressing all healthcare costs. The results indicate strong foundations but incomplete coverage.

Support System Effectiveness

  • The NDIS achieves significant individualised support for participants. It provides funding for therapies, equipment and care based on personal needs.
  • This demonstrates high effectiveness in tailoring services.
  • Notwithstanding this success, implementation problems create major barriers. Long wait times and complex paperwork exclude many eligible people.
  • Rural participants face minimal service options compared to cities.
  • When all factors are considered, equity application remains inconsistent across locations.

Overall Assessment

  • On balance, equity initiatives prove moderately successful with substantial room for improvement. While programs like NDIS and Medicare produce measurable results, gaps persist in coverage and access. The 30% employment gap between people with and without disabilities indicates systemic inequities remain.
  • This assessment shows Australia needs more comprehensive equity strategies to ensure equal health outcomes for all people with disabilities.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 030 MC

A local health district allocates proportionally greater resources to areas with higher rates of chronic disease and lower socioeconomic status.

This approach best reflects which social justice principle?

  1. Rights
  2. Access
  3. Equity
  4. Participation

Show Answers Only

\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct as equity means allocating resources according to need to achieve fairness in outcomes.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as rights focus on protecting entitlements rather than resource allocation.
  • B is incorrect as access relates to the ability to use services rather than the distribution of resources.
  • D is incorrect as participation involves community members in decision-making rather than resource allocation.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 500 MC

The New South Wales government has implemented a policy that provides free dental check-ups for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote communities.

This initiative primarily addresses which social justice principle?

  1. Rights
  2. Participation
  3. Supportive environments
  4. Equity

Show Answers Only

  1. \(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct because the principle of equity can involve the directing of resources to groups with higher needs.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect. Although the initiative does support health rights, equity is primarily addressed.
  • B is incorrect. Participation (involving the community in decision-making) is not at issue here.
  • C is incorrect because the initiative isn’t primarily promoting a supportive system environment.