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HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 23

Explain how environmental determinants contribute to the health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.   (5 marks)

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  • Geographical isolation limits access to healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This leads to delayed treatment and higher mortality rates from preventable conditions.
  • Remote locations create barriers to specialist medical care and emergency services. Consequently, chronic diseases like diabetes progress untreated, resulting in severe complications and increased morbidity.
  • Poor housing conditions in remote communities expose families to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. This causes higher rates of infectious diseases and respiratory conditions among Aboriginal children.
  • Limited infrastructure restricts access to clean water and proper waste management. This results in increased risk of waterborne diseases and environmental health hazards.
  • Distance from major centres reduces employment opportunities and educational access. Therefore, economic disadvantage perpetuates poor health outcomes across generations.
  • Inadequate transport systems prevent regular healthcare visits and health screenings. This means early intervention opportunities are missed, leading to worse long-term health outcomes.

Show Worked Solution

  • Geographical isolation limits access to healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This leads to delayed treatment and higher mortality rates from preventable conditions.
  • Remote locations create barriers to specialist medical care and emergency services. Consequently, chronic diseases like diabetes progress untreated, resulting in severe complications and increased morbidity.
  • Poor housing conditions in remote communities expose families to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. This causes higher rates of infectious diseases and respiratory conditions among Aboriginal children.
  • Limited infrastructure restricts access to clean water and proper waste management. This results in increased risk of waterborne diseases and environmental health hazards.
  • Distance from major centres reduces employment opportunities and educational access. Therefore, economic disadvantage perpetuates poor health outcomes across generations.
  • Inadequate transport systems prevent regular healthcare visits and health screenings. This means early intervention opportunities are missed, leading to worse long-term health outcomes.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 118

Outline TWO inequities related to environmental factors of health in Australia and suggest one way each could be addressed.   (4 marks)

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Geographic location

  • Indigenous Australian communities in remote areas experience health inequities due to limited access to health services, resulting in higher rates of preventable hospitalisations.
  • This could be addressed through increased investment in telehealth infrastructure and training local community health workers to provide basic healthcare services.

Pollution exposure

  • People of lower socioeconomic status often live in areas with higher pollution levels from industrial zones or major roadways, leading to increased respiratory conditions.
  • This inequity could be addressed through stricter environmental regulations for industries in residential areas and subsidised housing developments in areas with better air quality.
Show Worked Solution

Geographic location

  • Indigenous Australian communities in remote areas experience health inequities due to limited access to health services, resulting in higher rates of preventable hospitalisations.
  • This could be addressed through increased investment in telehealth infrastructure and training local community health workers to provide basic healthcare services.

Pollution exposure

  • People of lower socioeconomic status often live in areas with higher pollution levels from industrial zones or major roadways, leading to increased respiratory conditions.
  • This inequity could be addressed through stricter environmental regulations for industries in residential areas and subsidised housing developments in areas with better air quality.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 108

Outline how air quality as an environmental factor influences the health status of Australians living in major cities.   (3 marks)

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  • Air quality in major cities is compromised by higher pollution levels from motor vehicles and industry.
  • It directly impacts respiratory health, increasing incidence of asthma, bronchitis and respiratory infections.
  • People living near major roads or industrial areas face elevated risks of cardiovascular disease.
  • This results in higher rates of hospitalisation and medication usage for respiratory conditions in urban populations.
  • Air pollution particularly affects vulnerable groups including children, elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Show Worked Solution
  • Air quality in major cities is compromised by higher pollution levels from motor vehicles and industry.
  • It directly impacts respiratory health, increasing incidence of asthma, bronchitis and respiratory infections.
  • People living near major roads or industrial areas face elevated risks of cardiovascular disease.
  • This results in higher rates of hospitalisation and medication usage for respiratory conditions in urban populations.
  • Air pollution particularly affects vulnerable groups including children, elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 086 MC

Which of the following BEST explains why air quality can be considered an environmental determinant of health?

  1. Air quality is affected by factors such as education level.
  2. Poor air quality increases the risk of respiratory infections and cardiovascular conditions.
  3. Air pollution primarily affects individual health choices regarding physical activity.
  4. Air quality improvements are determined by cultural attitudes toward the environment.
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\(B\)

Show Worked Solution
  • B is correct as poor air quality resulting from emissions increases the risk of respiratory infections and other cardiovascular conditions.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect as air quality is an environmental factor, not primarily a socioeconomic one.
  • C is incorrect as while air pollution may impact physical activity choices, this is not the primary way air quality acts as a health determinant.
  • D is incorrect as air quality is an environmental factor that affects health directly, not primarily through cultural attitudes.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 016

Analyse how environmental factors contribute to health inequities between urban and rural Australian 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.

  • [P] Geographic isolation interacts with healthcare infrastructure availability.
  • [E] The relationship between distance and service access shows rural residents can face 4+ hour journeys to specialists.
  • [Ev] This leads to delayed cancer diagnoses, with rural patients presenting at later stages 30% more often than urban counterparts.
  • [L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking remoteness to poorer health outcomes.
     
  • [P] Environmental hazards operate on multiple levels across different settings.
  • [E] Rural areas experience agricultural chemical exposure while urban zones face air pollution, creating distinct health risks.
  • [Ev] Farm workers show 40% higher pesticide-related illness rates, whereas city residents develop respiratory conditions from traffic emissions.
  • [L] These elements combine to produce location-specific health inequities.
     
  • [P] Infrastructure quality directly influences physical activity opportunities.
  • [E] A positive relationship between built environments and exercise shows rural areas are at a disadvantage due to their lack gyms, paths and public transport.
  • [Ev] As a consequence, rural obesity rates exceed urban by 20%, because limited infrastructure restricts movement options.
  • [L] This interaction demonstrates how environment shapes health behaviours.
     
  • [P] Water quality is a critical socioeconomic resource.
  • [E] A lack of funding and environmental management shows rural towns can often struggle with poor water quality and contamination.
  • [Ev] For example, bore water dependency results in 25% of rural communities exceeding safe mineral levels, causing kidney problems.
  • [L] Together, these factors determine how environmental inequities create measurable health disparities between urban and rural populations.

Show Worked Solution

*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.

  • [P] Geographic isolation interacts with healthcare infrastructure availability.
  • [E] The relationship between distance and service access shows rural residents can face 4+ hour journeys to specialists.
  • [Ev] This leads to delayed cancer diagnoses, with rural patients presenting at later stages 30% more often than urban counterparts.
  • [L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking remoteness to poorer health outcomes.
     
  • [P] Environmental hazards operate on multiple levels across different settings.
  • [E] Rural areas experience agricultural chemical exposure while urban zones face air pollution, creating distinct health risks.
  • [Ev] Farm workers show 40% higher pesticide-related illness rates, whereas city residents develop respiratory conditions from traffic emissions.
  • [L] These elements combine to produce location-specific health inequities.
     
  • [P] Infrastructure quality directly influences physical activity opportunities.
  • [E] A positive relationship between built environments and exercise shows rural areas are at a disadvantage due to their lack gyms, paths and public transport.
  • [Ev] As a consequence, rural obesity rates exceed urban by 20%, because limited infrastructure restricts movement options.
  • [L] This interaction demonstrates how environment shapes health behaviours.
     
  • [P] Water quality is a critical socioeconomic resource.
  • [E] A lack of funding and environmental management shows rural towns can often struggle with poor water quality and contamination.
  • [Ev] For example, bore water dependency results in 25% of rural communities exceeding safe mineral levels, causing kidney problems.
  • [L] Together, these factors determine how environmental inequities create measurable health disparities between urban and rural populations.