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HMS, HIC 2023 HSC 28aii

Explain the effect of sociocultural factors on the health of young people.   (5 marks)

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Sample answer

  • Cultural food practices significantly influence young people’s nutritional health through inherited dietary patterns. Traditional diets create protective health effects because Mediterranean and Asian cultures emphasise vegetables, fruits and whole grains. These patterns result in reduced obesity and chronic disease risk. However, religious dietary requirements can generate access challenges when appropriate food options are unavailable outside home environments.
  • Cultural attitudes toward physical activity directly affect young people’s fitness levels and health outcomes. Some communities promote active lifestyles through cultural sports which enhances cardiovascular health and social connection. Conversely, cultures prioritising academic achievement over physical participation may lead to sedentary behaviours and associated health risks.
  • Religious and cultural values create both protective and challenging effects on health behaviours. Communities restricting alcohol and substances produce significant physical health benefits by preventing addiction and injury risks. Strong family connectedness within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant communities provides crucial mental health protection through support networks. These relationships generate resilience and belonging which reduces psychological distress during adolescent development.
Show Worked Solution

Sample answer

  • Cultural food practices significantly influence young people’s nutritional health through inherited dietary patterns. Traditional diets create protective health effects because Mediterranean and Asian cultures emphasise vegetables, fruits and whole grains. These patterns result in reduced obesity and chronic disease risk. However, religious dietary requirements can generate access challenges when appropriate food options are unavailable outside home environments.
  • Cultural attitudes toward physical activity directly affect young people’s fitness levels and health outcomes. Some communities promote active lifestyles through cultural sports which enhances cardiovascular health and social connection. Conversely, cultures prioritising academic achievement over physical participation may lead to sedentary behaviours and associated health risks.
  • Religious and cultural values create both protective and challenging effects on health behaviours. Communities restricting alcohol and substances produce significant physical health benefits by preventing addiction and injury risks. Strong family connectedness within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant communities provides crucial mental health protection through support networks. These relationships generate resilience and belonging which reduces psychological distress during adolescent development.

♦ Mean mark 49%.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 017 MC

Research indicates that Australian communities with high walkability scores tend to have lower rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity. However, these neighbourhoods often experience rising property values, which can lead to the displacement of lower-income residents to areas with fewer recreational facilities and poorer transport connections.

This scenario most comprehensively illustrates the interaction between which TWO determinants of health?

  1. Health behaviours and biomedical factors
  2. Environmental factors and socioeconomic characteristics
  3. Broad features of society and health behaviours
  4. Biomedical factors and environmental factors

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\(B\)

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  • B is correct as the scenario describes how the built environment (walkability) interacts with socioeconomic factors (property values) to influence health outcomes. 

Other options:

  • A is incorrect because while health behaviours (like walking) are implied, the scenario primarily focuses on the structural determinants rather than individual choices or biomedical factors.
  • C is incorrect because although broad features of society might indirectly relate to urban planning, the scenario directly addresses environmental design and socioeconomic impacts.
  • D is incorrect because biomedical factors (genetic or physiological characteristics) are not mentioned in the scenario.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 014

Outline how TWO different health determinants could interact to influence the health of an individual.   (3 marks)

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Environmental and health behaviour interaction:

  • Environmental factors and health behaviours can interact when a person living in an area with limited access to fresh food (environmental factor) is more likely to consume processed foods (health behaviour), potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.

Socioeconomic and biomedical interaction:

  • Socioeconomic characteristics and biomedical factors interact when a person with low income (socioeconomic factor) may have limited resources to manage a genetic predisposition to diabetes (biomedical factor), resulting in poorer disease management.

Show Worked Solution

Environmental and health behaviour interaction:

  • Environmental factors and health behaviours can interact when a person living in an area with limited access to fresh food (environmental factor) is more likely to consume processed foods (health behaviour), potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.

Socioeconomic and biomedical interaction:

  • Socioeconomic characteristics and biomedical factors interact when a person with low income (socioeconomic factor) may have limited resources to manage a genetic predisposition to diabetes (biomedical factor), resulting in poorer disease management.