Chapter 4 - Variations in health status between population groups Flashcards
Biological factor
Factors relating to the body that impact health and wellbeing such as genetics, body weight blood pressure, cholesterol levels and birth weight
Biological factor - body weight
Excess body weight places a strain on the heart, increasing blood pressure and contributing to hypertension. Hypertension increases the incidence of heart attack and stroke which leads to higher mortality rates
Biological factor - birth weight
Babies born with a low birth weight are more likely to have an underdeveloped immune system, increasing the incidence of infectious diseases such as influenza. They are more likely to suffer from premature death, contributing to higher infant and under-5 mortality rates and lower life expectancy
Biological factor - blood pressure
Having high blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease which if left untreated could increase mortality and lower life expectancy
Biological factor - genetics (male vs female)
Males have higher testosterone than females so results in males doing risk taking behaviours causing the incidence of injuries
Sociocultural factor
Factors relating to the social and cultural conditions into which people are born, grow, live, work and age
Sociocultural factor - access to healthcare
If not able to afford healthcare conditions go untreated and undiagnosed which can increase rates of mortality and lower life expectancy
Sociocultural factor - access to healthcare (male vs female)
Due to gender stereotypes of males are less likely to access health care as they may see it as a sign of weakness and thereby increases rates of chronic conditions as they do not seek early intervention
Sociocultural factor - access to healthcare (Indigenous vs non-Indigenous Australians)
Indigenous Australians are less likely to access healthcare compared to non-Indigenous Australians as they often face cultural barriers
Sociocultural factor - access to healthcare
(low SES vs high SES)
Low SES groups are less likely to access healthcare compared to high SES groups as they may not understand that need for early intervention, increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality especially from preventable conditions
Sociocultural factor - access to healthcare
(rural vs remote)
Rural and remote areas may have limited access to healthcare and people may be forced to travel long distances to seek medical support therefore illness go untreated and increase rates of mortality from preventable cancers
Sociocultural factor - income
Income can influence people’s ability to access resources such as adequate housing, food, healthcare (including private health insurance), recreation, transport and education. These resources can assist people to maintaining a healthy body weight, preventing disease and accessing health care when required which can reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
Sociocultural factor - education
Those who are more educated are more likely to be health literate meaning that they will access healthcare when required and being more likely to engage in healthy lifestyles decreasing the impact of preventable and treatable conditions, including cardiovascular disease, some cancers, respiratory disease and type 2 diabetes. Decreases prevalence and incidence of these conditions
Sociocultural factor - occupation
Some occupations (including trade) involve manual labor, which can increase the incidence of work-related injuries
Sociocultural factor - social isolation
Social isolation has been linked to mental illness, suicide, development of dementia, premature death leading increase mortality rates of these conditions
Sociocultural factor - social isolation (rural vs remote)
Those living outside major cities are more likely to suffer from social isolation, due to the geographical distance between family, friends and community which can increase the risk of stress, loneliness, depression
Environmental factor
Factors relating to the physical features that surround us
Environmental factor - housing
Overcrowding conditions also place added strain on bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities which can lead to unsanitary conditions and increases the incidence of infectious disease
Environmental factor - housing (Indigenous vs non-Indigenous Australians)
Indigenous Australians are more likely to live in poorly maintained homes compared to non-Indigenous Australians which increase the risk of accidents and injuries
Environmental factor - housing (low SES vs high SES)
Low SES are more likely to live in inadequate, unsafe or overcrowded housing conditions compared to high SES, increasing risk of infectious, injury and mental health conditions
Environmental factor - urban design and infrastructure (infrastructure)
Infrastructure relates to having access to a clean and reliable water supply reduces the incidence of infectious diseases such as dysentery
Environmental factor - urban design and infrastructure (geographical location)
Geographical location of resources is being close to supermarkets, shops and hospitals and being able to reach these resources can decrease morbidity and mortality rates because people can access the resources required to obtain adequate food and healthcare
Environmental factor - work environment
Those working outdoors are more exposed to UV radiation which can increase the risk of skin cancer among these workers and contributing to incidence of skin cancer
Environmental factor - work environment (males vs females)
Males are more likely to work in outside occupations increasing their risk of skin cancer compared to females
