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HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 022

Analyse how socioeconomic status can contribute to risky health behaviours for Australians, and provide TWO specific examples.   (4 marks)

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Model Answer

  • Lower socioeconomic status often correlates with reduced access to health information, leading to lower health literacy and fewer resources to make informed health decisions.
  • Example 1: Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may engage in higher rates of tobacco smoking as a coping mechanism for financial and social stressors. 
  • Financial constraints can limit access to healthier food options, recreational facilities, and preventative healthcare, creating barriers to adopting protective health behaviours.
  • Example 2: Food insecurity in lower-income households can lead to reliance on nutrient-poor foods that are often cheaper and more accessible. This can contribute to higher rates of obesity and related health conditions in these communities.

Show Worked Solution

Model Answer

  • Lower socioeconomic status often correlates with reduced access to health information, leading to lower health literacy and fewer resources to make informed health decisions.
  • Example 1: Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may engage in higher rates of tobacco smoking as a coping mechanism for financial and social stressors. 
  • Financial constraints can limit access to healthier food options, recreational facilities, and preventative healthcare, creating barriers to adopting protective health behaviours.
  • Example 2: Food insecurity in lower-income households can lead to reliance on nutrient-poor foods that are often cheaper and more accessible. This can contribute to higher rates of obesity and related health conditions in these communities.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 021

Explain how social media influence can act as a sociological cause of risky health behaviours among young Australians.   (3 marks)

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Model Answer

  • Social media platforms create a distorted presentation of reality where risky behaviours like binge drinking or dangerous physical challenges are often glorified and normalised, influencing young people’s perceptions of what constitutes acceptable behaviour.
  • Peer influence is amplified through social media, where adolescents experience pressure to conform to perceived norms, including participation in viral challenges or trends that may involve health risks such as vaping or extreme dieting.
  • Social media algorithms tend to create echo chambers that reinforce existing attitudes and behaviours. This can act to escalate exposure to content that normalises risky health behaviours while minimising exposure to messages that promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

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Model Answer

  • Social media platforms create a distorted presentation of reality where risky behaviours like binge drinking or dangerous physical challenges are often glorified and normalised, influencing young people’s perceptions of what constitutes acceptable behaviour.
  • Peer influence is amplified through social media, where adolescents experience pressure to conform to perceived norms, including participation in viral challenges or trends that may involve health risks such as vaping or extreme dieting.
  • Social media algorithms tend to create echo chambers that reinforce existing attitudes and behaviours. This can act to escalate exposure to content that normalises risky health behaviours while minimising exposure to messages that promote a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 013

Explain how TWO sociological determinants can influence young people's participation in risky health behaviours. Provide examples in your response.   (4 marks)

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Answers could include two of the following:

Peer group influence

  • Significant sociological determinant as young people often modify their behavior to gain acceptance from their peer group.
  • For example, a young person may begin vaping or drinking alcohol at social gatherings due to perceived peer pressure and desire to fit in with their social circle.

Socioeconomic status can also influence risky behaviours

  • Young people from lower socioeconomic areas may have limited access to organised sports or recreational activities
  • This potentially leads to increased engagement in risk-taking behaviors like drug use or unsafe driving for entertainment.

Financial stress within families

  • May result in reduced parental supervision due to work commitments, providing more opportunities for risky behaviour participation.
Show Worked Solution

Answers could include two of the following:

Peer group influence

  • Significant sociological determinant as young people often modify their behavior to gain acceptance from their peer group.
  • For example, a young person may begin vaping or drinking alcohol at social gatherings due to perceived peer pressure and desire to fit in with their social circle.

Socioeconomic status can also influence risky behaviours

  • Young people from lower socioeconomic areas may have limited access to organised sports or recreational activities
  • This potentially leads to increased engagement in risk-taking behaviors like drug use or unsafe driving for entertainment.

Financial stress within families

  • May result in reduced parental supervision due to work commitments, providing more opportunities for risky behaviour participation.