smc-5505-60-Inequities

HMS, HIC 2013 HSC 33b

How can the social justice framework be applied to address the causal factors of health inequities? (12 marks)

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The social justice framework provides systematic approaches to address health inequity causes. It ensures fair distribution of resources and opportunities across all population groups through structured policy interventions.
Participation enables disadvantaged communities to engage in health decision-making processes that affect their wellbeing and community outcomes. Community consultation programs allow Indigenous communities to design culturally appropriate health services. These services address specific needs rather than imposing mainstream approaches that ignore cultural values. Health committees include diverse population representatives who can identify local health priorities and barriers. Such involvement ensures that interventions reflect actual community needs rather than government assumptions. This results in more effective and acceptable health programs that communities actively support.
Equity requires resource allocation based on need rather than equal distribution. This ensures disadvantaged groups receive additional support to achieve similar health outcomes as privileged populations. Targeted funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations provides culturally safe healthcare. This addresses historical trauma and systemic discrimination effects. Additional funding for rural health services compensates for geographic disadvantages. These include mobile clinics, specialist visits and telehealth services. The approach recognises that equal treatment does not produce equal outcomes.
Access focuses on removing structural barriers that prevent people from obtaining necessary health services. Medicare provides universal healthcare coverage that eliminates financial barriers to essential medical treatment. Interpreter services remove language barriers for multicultural communities, enabling effective healthcare communication. These measures ensure that structural obstacles do not determine health outcomes.
Rights establish legal entitlements to health services and protection from discrimination. These cannot be denied based on personal characteristics or group membership. Anti-discrimination legislation protects people with disability from healthcare exclusion, ensuring equal treatment access.

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The social justice framework provides systematic approaches to address health inequity causes. It ensures fair distribution of resources and opportunities across all population groups through structured policy interventions.
Participation enables disadvantaged communities to engage in health decision-making processes that affect their wellbeing and community outcomes. Community consultation programs allow Indigenous communities to design culturally appropriate health services. These services address specific needs rather than imposing mainstream approaches that ignore cultural values. Health committees include diverse population representatives who can identify local health priorities and barriers. Such involvement ensures that interventions reflect actual community needs rather than government assumptions. This results in more effective and acceptable health programs that communities actively support.
Equity requires resource allocation based on need rather than equal distribution. This ensures disadvantaged groups receive additional support to achieve similar health outcomes as privileged populations. Targeted funding for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations provides culturally safe healthcare. This addresses historical trauma and systemic discrimination effects. Additional funding for rural health services compensates for geographic disadvantages. These include mobile clinics, specialist visits and telehealth services. The approach recognises that equal treatment does not produce equal outcomes.
Access focuses on removing structural barriers that prevent people from obtaining necessary health services. Medicare provides universal healthcare coverage that eliminates financial barriers to essential medical treatment. Interpreter services remove language barriers for multicultural communities, enabling effective healthcare communication. These measures ensure that structural obstacles do not determine health outcomes.
Rights establish legal entitlements to health services and protection from discrimination. These cannot be denied based on personal characteristics or group membership. Anti-discrimination legislation protects people with disability from healthcare exclusion, ensuring equal treatment access.

♦♦♦♦ Mean mark 36%.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 018

Explain how health inequities affect Indigenous Australians compared to non-Indigenous Australians and propose TWO specific strategies to address these inequities. (6 marks)

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*Cause-and-effect language that directly addresses the “Explain” keyword is bolded in the answer below.

Gap in life expectancy:

Indigenous Australians have a lower life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians. This occurs because of ongoing health inequities resulting from colonisation and systemic discrimination.

Higher chronic disease rates:

Indigenous Australians experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic conditions. This happens when social disadvantage combines with limited healthcare access.
As a result, diabetes rates are 3-4 times higher among Indigenous Australians. This is due to historical disruption of traditional diets which led to reliance on processed foods.

Strategy 1

Expanding Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) would lead to improved health outcomes. This works by providing culturally safe healthcare which causes increased trust and service use.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti in South Australia demonstrates how Indigenous-led healthcare results in better health. This occurs because patients feel understood and respected.

Strategy 2

Housing improvement programs would cause reduced disease rates. This happens when better infrastructure prevents overcrowding and poor sanitation.
The Housing for Health program shows how fixing houses directly leads to fewer infectious diseases. This relationship results from improved living conditions enabling better hygiene practices.

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*Cause-and-effect language that directly addresses the “Explain” keyword is bolded in the answer below.

Gap in life expectancy:

Indigenous Australians have a lower life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians. This occurs because of ongoing health inequities resulting from colonisation and systemic discrimination.

Higher chronic disease rates:

Indigenous Australians experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic conditions. This happens when social disadvantage combines with limited healthcare access.
As a result, diabetes rates are 3-4 times higher among Indigenous Australians. This is due to historical disruption of traditional diets which led to reliance on processed foods.

Strategy 1

Expanding Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) would lead to improved health outcomes. This works by providing culturally safe healthcare which causes increased trust and service use.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti in South Australia demonstrates how Indigenous-led healthcare results in better health. This occurs because patients feel understood and respected.

Strategy 2

Housing improvement programs would cause reduced disease rates. This happens when better infrastructure prevents overcrowding and poor sanitation.
The Housing for Health program shows how fixing houses directly leads to fewer infectious diseases. This relationship results from improved living conditions enabling better hygiene practices.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 012

Explain how improving access to health services could reduce health inequities experienced by people living in rural and remote areas. (5 marks)

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[P] Geographical distance creates healthcare delays.
[E] This leads to worsening conditions and complications.
[Ev] This occurs because travelling 4+ hours for specialists means people postpone treatment until emergencies.
[L] This demonstrates why distance directly causes poor health outcomes.
[P] Implementing telehealth removes travel barriers.
[E] This allows immediate access to medical consultations.
[Ev] As a result, rural patients can manage chronic conditions through video appointments with city specialists.
[L] This relationship can result in early intervention matching metropolitan standards.
[P] Financial support enables specialist access.
[E] This leads to rural residents affording necessary healthcare.
[Ev] Travel subsidies cover accommodation and fuel costs, allowing regular treatment that was previously unaffordable.
[L] These elements work together to equalise healthcare opportunities between rural and city populations.

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[P] Geographical distance creates healthcare delays.
[E] This leads to worsening conditions and complications.
[Ev] This occurs because travelling 4+ hours for specialists means people postpone treatment until emergencies.
[L] This demonstrates why distance directly causes poor health outcomes.
[P] Implementing telehealth removes travel barriers.
[E] This allows immediate access to medical consultations.
[Ev] As a result, rural patients can manage chronic conditions through video appointments with city specialists.
[L] This relationship can result in early intervention matching metropolitan standards.
[P] Financial support enables specialist access.
[E] This leads to rural residents affording necessary healthcare.
[Ev] Travel subsidies cover accommodation and fuel costs, allowing regular treatment that was previously unaffordable.
[L] These elements work together to equalise healthcare opportunities between rural and city populations.