smc-5806-70-Inequities

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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.

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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.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

Explain how health inequities can result from differences in health behaviours across population groups in Australia. (5 marks)

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Rural vs city populations

Higher tobacco use in remote areas compared to major cities causes increased rates of respiratory diseases and cancers in rural populations, creating a geographic health inequity.
This occurs because smoking and its significant health dangers are concentrated in these communities, leading to an increased disease burden.

English speaking vs Non-English speaking populations

Lower physical activity participation among people from non-English speaking backgrounds versus Australian-born residents causes higher cardiovascular disease rates in culturally diverse communities.
This inequity develops because reduced fitness levels lead to poorer health outcomes, including an increase in heart and respiratory issues.

Higher vs lower socioeconomic populations

Similarly, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in lower socioeconomic areas versus higher areas, causes nutritional inequities that result in increased chronic disease.
This occurs because nutrients aren’t high in diets, allowing preventable diseases to develop unchecked.
These behaviour-related health outcomes create persistent inequities that are systematically reinforced through social determinants.

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Rural vs city populations

Higher tobacco use in remote areas compared to major cities causes increased rates of respiratory diseases and cancers in rural populations, creating a geographic health inequity.
This occurs because smoking and its significant health dangers are concentrated in these communities, leading to an increased disease burden.

English speaking vs Non-English speaking populations

Lower physical activity participation among people from non-English speaking backgrounds versus Australian-born residents causes higher cardiovascular disease rates in culturally diverse communities.
This inequity develops because reduced fitness levels lead to poorer health outcomes, including an increase in heart and respiratory issues.

Higher vs lower socioeconomic populations

Similarly, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in lower socioeconomic areas versus higher areas, causes nutritional inequities that result in increased chronic disease.
This occurs because nutrients aren’t high in diets, allowing preventable diseases to develop unchecked.
These behaviour-related health outcomes create persistent inequities that are systematically reinforced through social determinants.

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

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Socioeconomic status

People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas have significantly higher rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas.
This could be addressed through targeted community health programs offering free blood pressure screening and management education in lower socioeconomic areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status:

Indigenous peoples are four times more likely than other Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This could be addressed through culturally appropriate diabetes prevention programs. These initiatives should be led by Aboriginal health workers, focusing on early detection, management, and include traditional approaches to nutrition and physical activity.

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Socioeconomic status

People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas have significantly higher rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas.
This could be addressed through targeted community health programs offering free blood pressure screening and management education in lower socioeconomic areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status:

Indigenous peoples are four times more likely than other Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This could be addressed through culturally appropriate diabetes prevention programs. These initiatives should be led by Aboriginal health workers, focusing on early detection, management, and include traditional approaches to nutrition and physical activity.