Differences between population groups

Question 1

Indigenous and non indigenous

Answer 1

Biological:

• high body mass index
• hypertension
• low birth weight
• impaired glucose regulation

Sociocultural:

• Low SES
• high rates of unemployment
• Social exclusion ie discrimination, racism
• lower levels of health literacy
• high rates of food security
• lack of access to culturally appropriate healthcare
• homelessness
• Early life experiences

Environmental:

• poor quality and overcrowded housing
• poor quality water and sanitation systems
• poorer infrastructure, including poorer road quality
• lack of access to healthcare facilities

HEALTH STATUS

• higher mortality rates
• higher rates of chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma and CVD
• infant mortality 1.5 times higher than rest of population
• life expectancy around 10 years left than other Australians
• burden of disease rates 2.3 times higher than the non indigenous population

Question 2

Males and females

Answer 2

Biological:
males experience
- higher rates of overweight
- higher rates of hypertension
- a genetic predisposition to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer
females experience
- a genetic predisposition to breast cancer
- higher levels of oestrogen, which provides a protective role against cardiovascular disease until menopause

Sociocultural:
Males experience
- impacts of unemployment 
- higher SES status
females experience
- access to health information and support services

Environmental:
males experience
- work in more dangerous environments
- exposed to hazardous substances in the workplace
- work outdoors, increasing sun exposure

HEALTH STATUS
- life expectancy around four years less than that of females
- a death rate 1.1 times as high
- higher death rates for all age groups
- higher rates of mortality from lung cancer and COPD
- higher rates of injury than females
- higher rates of deaths due to suicide, road trauma and violence
- higher rates of morbidity from cardiovascular disease
and many types of cancer
- higher rates of diabetes
- lower rates of osteoporosis
- lower rates of mental disorders
- lower rates of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease

Question 3

Low and high SES

Answer 3

Biological:
low SES groups experience
- higher rates of obesity
- higher rates of high blood-pressure
- higher rates of glucose intolerance
- higher rates of low-birthweight babies

sociocultural:

• housing issues such as overcrowding
• lower levels of educational attainment, affecting employment options
• higher levels of unemployment
• less likelihood of accessing preventative health services

Environmental:

• greater rates of exposure to tobacco smoke in the home
• exposure to high risks in the work environment
• poor access to infrastructure and physical resources

HEALTH STATUS
- lower life expectancy
- higher death rates
- more avoidable deaths from causes such as injuries
- higher infant mortality rates
- higher rates of diabetes
- higher rates of coronary heart disease
- higher rates of psychological distress and mental health
conditions such as depression
- higher rates of morbidity from respiratory diseases
- higher prevalence of and mortality rates from lung cancer

Question 4

Inside major cities and outside major cities (rural and remote)

Answer 4

biological:
Those living outside major cities experience
- higher rates of overweight and obesity
- higher rates of insulin resistance and impaired glucose regulation
- higher rates of high blood pressure
- higher rates of low-birthweight babies
- higher rates of high blood cholesterol levels

Sociocultural:

• difficulty accessing a range of healthcare facilities and services
• difficulty obtaining social support from the wider community
• higher rates of unemployment
• lower incomes
• lower levels of educational attainment

Environmental:

• harsh environmental conditions – for example, extreme sun exposure
• reduced access and reduced quality in recreational facilities
• less access to fluoridated water
• more dangerous work environments

HEALTH STATUS

• lower life expectancy
• higher road injury and fatality rates
• higher rates of other injuries
• higher reported rates of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity
• higher death rates from chronic disease such as coronary heart disease
• higher prevalence of mental health problems
• poorer dental health
• higher incidence of poor antenatal and postnatal health
• higher incidence of babies born with low birthweight to mothers in very remote areas
• higher infant mortality rates in very remote areas