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HMS, HIC 2017 HSC 27a

Explain the determinants of ONE major health issue that affects young people.   (8 marks)

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Health Issue: Mental Health Issues in Young People

  • Socioeconomic determinants directly influence mental health outcomes amongst young Australians. This occurs because family income affects access to mental health services and educational opportunities. Low socioeconomic status leads to increased stress, housing instability, and reduced healthcare access. For instance, when families cannot afford private psychology sessions, young people rely on overstretched public services. This demonstrates why disadvantaged youth experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than their affluent peers.
  • Social media and technology create significant environmental pressures on young people’s mental wellbeing. This happens because constant online comparison and cyberbullying increase psychological distress. These platforms trigger feelings of inadequacy and social isolation amongst adolescents. Evidence of this includes research showing increased depression rates correlating with social media usage time. The result is young people experiencing body image issues and reduced self-esteem from unrealistic online portrayals.
  • Academic pressure generates substantial stress-related mental health problems in students. This works by creating intense competition for university places and career opportunities. Consequently, many young people develop anxiety disorders and burnout symptoms. A clear example is HSC students experiencing panic attacks during examination periods. This explains why perfectionist tendencies and fear of failure contribute significantly to youth mental health crises in Australia.

Show Worked Solution

Health Issue: Mental Health Issues in Young People

  • Socioeconomic determinants directly influence mental health outcomes amongst young Australians. This occurs because family income affects access to mental health services and educational opportunities. Low socioeconomic status leads to increased stress, housing instability, and reduced healthcare access. For instance, when families cannot afford private psychology sessions, young people rely on overstretched public services. This demonstrates why disadvantaged youth experience higher rates of anxiety and depression than their affluent peers.
  • Social media and technology create significant environmental pressures on young people’s mental wellbeing. This happens because constant online comparison and cyberbullying increase psychological distress. These platforms trigger feelings of inadequacy and social isolation amongst adolescents. Evidence of this includes research showing increased depression rates correlating with social media usage time. The result is young people experiencing body image issues and reduced self-esteem from unrealistic online portrayals.
  • Academic pressure generates substantial stress-related mental health problems in students. This works by creating intense competition for university places and career opportunities. Consequently, many young people develop anxiety disorders and burnout symptoms. A clear example is HSC students experiencing panic attacks during examination periods. This explains why perfectionist tendencies and fear of failure contribute significantly to youth mental health crises in Australia.

♦♦ Mean mark 54%.

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 EQ-Bank 113

Outline how a young person living in a rural community with limited income might experience the interaction of socioeconomic and environmental determinants affecting their health.   (3 marks)

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  • A young person in a rural community faces compounding health challenges as distance from services (environmental factor) combines with financial constraints (socioeconomic factor) to restrict healthcare access.
  • Their family’s socioeconomic status may limit transport options which makes geographical isolation a larger problem. This can reduce participation in sport and physical activities, resulting in decreased physical health outcomes.
  • Educational opportunities (socioeconomic factor) may be restricted by both remoteness (environmental factor) and family income (socioeconomic). This interaction can lead to reduced health literacy and less preventative healthcare by young people.
Show Worked Solution
  • A young person in a rural community faces compounding health challenges as distance from services (environmental factor) combines with financial constraints (socioeconomic factor) to restrict healthcare access.
  • Their family’s socioeconomic status may limit transport options which makes geographical isolation a larger problem. This can reduce participation in sport and physical activities, resulting in decreased physical health outcomes.
  • Educational opportunities (socioeconomic factor) may be restricted by both remoteness (environmental factor) and family income (socioeconomic). This interaction can lead to reduced health literacy and less preventative healthcare by young people.