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HMS, HIC 2019 HSC 28b

Explain the factors which may adversely affect the health of young people and the strategies implemented to overcome them.   (12 marks)

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  • Individual factors adversely affect young people’s health through predetermined characteristics and personal behaviours. Low self-esteem and risk-taking attitudes increase vulnerability to substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices. This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity. Male young people experience higher injury rates due to impulsivity and peer pressure influences. Consequently, motor vehicle accidents and sporting injuries represent leading causes of youth mortality and morbidity.
  • Socioeconomic factors create health disparities through family income and educational access. Low socioeconomic status limits access to healthy food choices and recreational facilities. This leads to higher rates of obesity and mental health issues among disadvantaged youth. Family breakdown and unemployment contribute to social isolation and stress-related conditions. Therefore, young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience poorer health outcomes across multiple indicators.
  • Environmental factors influence health through geographical location and infrastructure availability. Rural and remote young people face reduced access to healthcare services and mental health support. This results in delayed treatment for chronic conditions and higher suicide rates. Poor housing conditions and overcrowding expose young people to infectious diseases and respiratory problems. Additionally, limited transport optirestrict ons participation in health-promoting activities and social connections.
  • Strategies address these factors through targeted interventions and policy changes. Youth mental health services like headspace provide accessible support for psychological wellbeing issues. These services work by offering early intervention and culturally appropriate care in community settings. School-based health education programs develop health literacy and decision-making skills among adolescents. This approach enables young people to make informed choices about substance use and sexual health practices, reducing risk-taking behaviours significantly.

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  • Individual factors adversely affect young people’s health through predetermined characteristics and personal behaviours. Low self-esteem and risk-taking attitudes increase vulnerability to substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices. This occurs because adolescent brain development affects decision-making capacity. Male young people experience higher injury rates due to impulsivity and peer pressure influences. Consequently, motor vehicle accidents and sporting injuries represent leading causes of youth mortality and morbidity.
  • Socioeconomic factors create health disparities through family income and educational access. Low socioeconomic status limits access to healthy food choices and recreational facilities. This leads to higher rates of obesity and mental health issues among disadvantaged youth. Family breakdown and unemployment contribute to social isolation and stress-related conditions. Therefore, young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experience poorer health outcomes across multiple indicators.
  • Environmental factors influence health through geographical location and infrastructure availability. Rural and remote young people face reduced access to healthcare services and mental health support. This results in delayed treatment for chronic conditions and higher suicide rates. Poor housing conditions and overcrowding expose young people to infectious diseases and respiratory problems. Additionally, limited transport optirestrict ons participation in health-promoting activities and social connections.
  • Strategies address these factors through targeted interventions and policy changes. Youth mental health services like headspace provide accessible support for psychological wellbeing issues. These services work by offering early intervention and culturally appropriate care in community settings. School-based health education programs develop health literacy and decision-making skills among adolescents. This approach enables young people to make informed choices about substance use and sexual health practices, reducing risk-taking behaviours significantly.

♦♦ Mean mark 50%.

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.

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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.

♦♦ Mean mark 51%.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32ai

Outline how the quality of the early years of life can contribute to health inequities in Australia.   (3 marks)

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  • Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
  • Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
  • Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
  • Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
  • These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.
Show Worked Solution
  • Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
  • Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
  • Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
  • Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
  • These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

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.