chapter 8: Flashcards
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita
the value of a country’s total annual income, expressed in US dollars, and deivided by its population to indicate the average income of the country’s citizens
strength of the GNi
a useful and easily comparable indicator that reflects other non-financial development measures such as life expectancy and education rates
limitation of the GNI
does not provide a complete overview of a country’s overall development and does not reflect inequality in income distribution within a country
how do differences in GNI per capita between countries contribute to two variations in burden of disease
Lower-income countries have a significantly lower GNI per capita than high-income countries, which mean that fewer people in low-income countries can afford healthcare when needed, contributing to higher rates of premature death and YLLs. The higher GNI per capita in high-income countries mean that people are more likely to be able to access clean water, which can contribute to lower rates of diarrhoeal diseases and YLD than in low-income countries,
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year
economic characteristics of countries
-level of debt
-income
-trade opportunities
-poverty
-industry
environmental characteristics of countries
-access to clean water
-access to improved sanitation
-access to food (food security)
-infrastructure
social characteristics of countries
-social support
-birth rates
-education levels
-healthcare system
-social justice
characteristics of low-income countries
-higher rates of poverty
-poor access to clean water and improved sanitation
-lower agricultural productivity: lower levels of food security
-high population growth
-low levels of education attainment
characteristics of middle-income countries
For middle-income countries, characteristics tend to depend on the income of the country - countries closer to the bottom range of middle-income countries are likely to reflect characteristics of low-income countries where countries in the higher range are likely to reflect characteristics of high-income countries.
characteristics of high-income countries
-more trade opportunities
-improved food security
-improved infrastructure
-higher levels of education attainment
-access to healthcare
how can increasing the GNI per capita promote health and wellbeing for low-income countries
(1) An increase in the GNI per capita in low-income countries will allow individuals to feel that they have a secure income to purchase the things they need, which can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting mental health and wellbeing.
(2) A higher GNI per capita will allow individuals to easily participate in the community, which assists in making them feel that they belong and have a purpose in life, promoting spiritual health and wellbeing
similarities in health status between high-. middle- and low-income countries
-life expectancy is increasing in all income groups
-mortality rates are decreasing in all income groups
-rates of obesity and associated conditions are increasing in all income groups
-non-communicable diseases (including cancer and cardiovascular disease) account for the greatest proportion of deaths in all countries
differences in health status between high-. middle- and low-income countries
-life expectancy is considerably higher in high-income countries
-mortality rates increase as average income decreases
-the rate of YLD increases as average income increases
-the rate of DALY and YLL increase as average income decreases
difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases
Non-communicable diseases (cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus) are not passed on from person to person compared to communicable disease, rather, they are due to the damage caused to the body from a range of risk factors, including biological, sociocultural and environmental factors, and behaviours (diet, tobacco and alcohol use, etc.).
sustainability
refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
economic sustainability
ensuring that average incomes in all countries are adequate to sustain a decent standard of living and continue to rise in line with inflation and living costs in the future
environment sustainability
ensuring that natural environments is used in a way that will preserve resources into the future
social sustainability
creating an equitable society that meets the needs of all citizens and can be maintained indefinitely
ways of increasing economic sustainability
-managing debt
-increasing incomes
-increasing opportunities for trade
-building industry
-increased opportunities for employment
ways of increasing environmental sustainability
-responsibly development of infrastructure
-responsible use of nonrenewable resources and energy
-responsibly agricultural productivity
-reducing emissions
ways of increasing social sustainability
-strong support systems
-sustainable birth rates
-investing in education
-development of healthcare systems
-development of legal and political systems
how improving economic sustainability can promote health and wellbeing
Promoting economic sustainability by increasing income nationally through trade means that government have more money to invest in services such as education and healthcare. This improves physical health and wellbeing as people get improved access to treatment they need, which reduces the impact of illness and disease.
how improving environmental sustainability in a country can promote health and wellbeing
Promoting environmental sustainability by reducing emissions reduces the risk of respiratory disease and therefore promotes physical health and wellbeing.
how improving social sustainability in a country can promote health and wellbeing
Promoting social sustainability by having strong social systems can promote physical health and wellbeing as having strong legal and political systems reduces corruption and therefore there is less violence and damaged body functioning. Strong social systems tend to allow people to have more opportunities in life, and societies are more peaceful, which can reduce stress and anxiety and therefore promote mental health and wellbeing.
human development
Human development is the process of increasing the opportunities and freedoms that people have to develop to their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop to their full potential, lead productive and creative lives, expand their choices, enhance their capabilities, improve access to knowledge, health, and a decent standard of living, as well as participating in the life of their community and decisions affecting their lives. Human development is based on three basic elements that everyone requires for development, which include adequate nutrition, education, and decent standard of living.
why is health and wellbeing important for human development
Good health and wellbeing means that people are free from illness and disease (promoting physical health and wellbeing). This increases their ability to work in paid employment with their full potential. With higher incomes, people can participate in their community. in activities they enjoy such as socialising (promoting social health and wellbeing) which allows them to lead productive and creative lives they value in accordance with their needs and interests.
why is sustainability an important consideration when promoting human development
Sustainability is important as it ensures that human development can improve in the future. For example, if the next generation can continue to improve the economy, leading productive and creative lives, they too can enjoy and improved level of human development.
Human Development Index (HDI)
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a tool introduced by the United Nations used to rank countries based on their social and economic development. It provides a single statistic from 0-1 based on three dimensions - a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living, and four indicators - life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
advantages of the HDI
-takes more than just average incomes into account > provides a more comprehensive representation of the level of human development experienced
-has captured the attention of media, policy makers, communities and individuals > has raised awareness of the importance of human development
disadvantages of the HDI
-the HDI is based on averages and thus does not provide an indication of the inequalities which exist within a country
-no survey data is collected when determining the HDI of a country, and thus people’s feelings about their lives and issues facing communities are note reflected
double burden of disease
characteristics by the coexistence of communicable diseases (often associated with poverty) and non-communicable diseases (often associated with wealth) within one country
low birthweight
the weight of a baby at birth that is less than 2500g
