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HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 112

Analyse how socioeconomic determinants contribute to health inequities experienced by young Australians.   (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] Education quality and parental income operate together to shape health outcomes.
  • [E] The relationship between school resources and family wealth shows disadvantaged students receive less health education due to this combination of factors.
  • [Ev] Low-income schools lack nutrition programs and sports facilities, resulting in higher obesity rates.
  • [L] This interaction demonstrates how education systematically compounds existing socioeconomic health gaps.
     
  • [P] Employment instability connects directly to mental health challenges and physical wellbeing.
  • [E] Casual work is associated with increased stress due to unpredictable work schedules, income insecurity and limited sick leave.
  • [Ev] Young people in this type of work report anxiety at double the rate of permanent employees and frequently delay medical appointments.
  • [L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking casual work to deteriorating psychological and physical health.
     
  • [P] Housing affordability influences an individual’s physical environment and other social health determinants.
  • [E] The interplay between rental stress and living conditions shows young people sacrifice health necessities for shelter.
  • [Ev] 40% of young renters live in overcrowded, mouldy housing, causing respiratory issues and social isolation.
  • [L] These elements combine to produce environment-driven health inequities affecting multiple dimensions.
     
  • [P] Digital access functions through the interaction of income, location and education.
  • [E] This component can influence health information access, telehealth participation and social connections.
  • [Ev] Rural youth without reliable internet miss 50% more mental health appointments than urban peers.
  • [L] The broader impact shows technology barriers compound existing disadvantages, creating deeper health divides.
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] Education quality and parental income operate together to shape health outcomes.
  • [E] The relationship between school resources and family wealth shows disadvantaged students receive less health education due to this combination of factors.
  • [Ev] Low-income schools lack nutrition programs and sports facilities, resulting in higher obesity rates.
  • [L] This interaction demonstrates how education systematically compounds existing socioeconomic health gaps.
     
  • [P] Employment instability connects directly to mental health challenges and physical wellbeing.
  • [E] Casual work is associated with increased stress due to unpredictable work schedules, income insecurity and limited sick leave.
  • [Ev] Young people in this type of work report anxiety at double the rate of permanent employees and frequently delay medical appointments.
  • [L] This establishes a cause-effect pattern linking casual work to deteriorating psychological and physical health.
     
  • [P] Housing affordability influences an individual’s physical environment and other social health determinants.
  • [E] The interplay between rental stress and living conditions shows young people sacrifice health necessities for shelter.
  • [Ev] 40% of young renters live in overcrowded, mouldy housing, causing respiratory issues and social isolation.
  • [L] These elements combine to produce environment-driven health inequities affecting multiple dimensions.
     
  • [P] Digital access functions through the interaction of income, location and education.
  • [E] This component can influence health information access, telehealth participation and social connections.
  • [Ev] Rural youth without reliable internet miss 50% more mental health appointments than urban peers.
  • [L] The broader impact shows technology barriers compound existing disadvantages, creating deeper health divides.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 092 MC

A young person living in a low socioeconomic area has completed Year 10 but is considering leaving school to work full-time. According to socioeconomic determinants of health, what is the most likely long-term health outcome of this decision?

  1. Improved mental health due to financial independence.
  2. Equivalent health outcomes to those who complete Year 12 education.
  3. Temporary physical health challenges that resolve once stable employment is found.
  4. Reduced access to employment opportunities that provide health benefits.
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\(D\)

Show Worked Solution
  • D is correct because lower educational attainment generally leads to reduced access to employment opportunities that provide health benefits.

Other options:

  • A is incorrect because while employment may provide some financial independence, leaving school early often limits long-term earning potential, which can increase financial stress.
  • B is incorrect because research shows that those who complete higher levels of education generally have better health outcomes than those who leave school early.
  • C is incorrect because the health challenges associated with lower educational attainment are often persistent rather than temporary.