smc-5505-70-Indigenous/TSI

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)

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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 038

Analyse a specific project that applies social justice principles to address health inequities in rural communities. (8 marks)

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*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method; [P] Identify components and their relationship, [E] explain the interaction/influence between them, [Ev] provide evidence showing the relationship in action, [L] linking sentence back to question.

Sample Answer:

Project: Hear Our Heart Ear Bus Project

[P] This project combines mobile healthcare delivery with community participation.
[E] This interaction demonstrates how access and engagement work together to reach isolated children.
[Ev] The mobile bus travels to remote schools while local Aboriginal health workers help conduct screenings, and creating trust which has resulted in 90% participation rates.
[L] This relationship between mobility and cultural connection reveals effective health equity strategies.
[P] Resource allocation is directly related to educational outcomes.
[E] The dynamic between hearing health and learning shows that early detection helps prevent academic failure.
[Ev] Children receiving treatment show 40% improvement in literacy scores within one year, as hearing problems no longer impede classroom participation.
[L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking health intervention to educational success.
[P] Multiple stakeholder involvement operates on interconnected levels.
[E] Health specialists provide expertise while educators identify at-risk students and communities ensure cultural safety.
[Ev] These elements combine to produce comprehensive care. In this model, teachers refer students, specialists diagnose and local workers provide follow-up support .
[L] Together, these factors produce sustainable health improvements.
[P] The project’s impact extends beyond individual health.
[E] The broader impact shows community empowerment through local employment and skill development.
[Ev] Training Indigenous health workers creates ongoing capacity, meaning communities can maintain ear health programs independently.
[L] This shows a real world example of where social justice principles create lasting systemic change.

Show Worked Solution

Sample Answer:

Project: Hear Our Heart Ear Bus Project

[P] This project combines mobile healthcare delivery with community participation.
[E] This interaction demonstrates how access and engagement work together to reach isolated children.
[Ev] The mobile bus travels to remote schools while local Aboriginal health workers help conduct screenings, and creating trust which has resulted in 90% participation rates.
[L] This relationship between mobility and cultural connection reveals effective health equity strategies.
[P] Resource allocation is directly related to educational outcomes.
[E] The dynamic between hearing health and learning shows that early detection helps prevent academic failure.
[Ev] Children receiving treatment show 40% improvement in literacy scores within one year, as hearing problems no longer impede classroom participation.
[L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking health intervention to educational success.
[P] Multiple stakeholder involvement operates on interconnected levels.
[E] Health specialists provide expertise while educators identify at-risk students and communities ensure cultural safety.
[Ev] These elements combine to produce comprehensive care. In this model, teachers refer students, specialists diagnose and local workers provide follow-up support .
[L] Together, these factors produce sustainable health improvements.
[P] The project’s impact extends beyond individual health.
[E] The broader impact shows community empowerment through local employment and skill development.
[Ev] Training Indigenous health workers creates ongoing capacity, meaning communities can maintain ear health programs independently.
[L] This shows a real world example of where social justice principles create lasting systemic change.

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.

Show Worked Solution

*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.