FQ2: What inequities are experienced by population groups in Australia? Flashcards
Describe the areas of inequity experienced by the homeless.
Lower LE = longer a person is homeless (primary)
Main cause of premature death (primary) - substance abuse (overdoses, violence)
Higher rates of problematic drug use + poor mental health - e.g. depression, schizophrenia
Higher rates of infectious diseases
E.g. gastroenteritis, nutritional deficiencies, respiratory illnesses - bronchitis + asthma
Higher rates of blood-born diseases
E.g. hepatitis, STIs
Greater risk of physical + sexual assault and injury
ATSI: overrepresented in homeless population in relation to proportion of total population
Explain the impact of health determinants upon the homeless.
INDIVIDUAL:
Drug dependence, alcohol consumption - overdoses, crime, poor mental health
Smoking - respiratory illnesses
Unsafe sexual practices - STIs
Ignoring health messages - shared needles = increased risk of HIV, hepatitis
SOCIOCULTURAL:
Family and relationship breakdowns - without support/accomodation
Domestic violence - seek alternative temporary accomodation
Society’s greater acceptance of alcohol consumption = high rates
Media stereotypes - encourage youth to rebel and move out without adequate support
Government allowances - easier for youth to leave home rather than resolve family conflict
SOCIOECONOMIC:
No assets/little security - mental health
Lack of affordable housing - forces homelessness esp in major cities (mental health - depression)
Unemployment - poverty = restricts choices + alienation
Dependent on handouts and welfare - lost control over life
Economic recession - families lost homes (esp if single parent)
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Harsh conditions - greater risk of respiratory illness
Squats - not adequate water supply, sanitation or electricity to maintain hygiene or QoL
Parks - greater risk of sexual + physical assault
Rely on healthcare from volunteer organisations (vans, visit refuges)
Limited space at refuges from prioritising placements to others (older males miss out)
Soup kitchens - free meals for homeless + support
Outreach services - target youth and women with children
Describe the media’s role in portraying the homeless, and include examples.
ROLE: Commonwealth gov can use media outlets (ABC, SBS) → educate/stimulate debate on homeless + address negative issues compassionately
Provide society with a sympathetic perspective of issues faced by the homeless
Negative issues must be addressed in a compassionate manner
Lobbying govts for increasing funding for services + accommodation for homeless
Finding ways to reduce domestic violence + resolve family conflict - keep families intact
Warning youth of the dangers of problematic drug use + raising awareness that homelessness can affect all people during economic uncertainty
Promote Employment programs, Community networking programs, National strategies on mental health initiatives - create stronger family structures
EXAMPLES:
The Big Issue Magazine - increasing awareness of inequities, document stories, assist homeless in purchasing nutritious food and work and reducing stigma
Mission Australia - addresses youth homelessness in Townsville Queensland from July 2024 to help provide housing, assist struggling families, address mental health, fight substance dependencies, etc.
Evaluate THREE government interventions aimed at improving health inequities for the homeless.
SAAP (Supported Accommodation Assistance Program)
Assist homeless people + women + children escaping domestic violence
Relatively effective: assists over 161K people each year, incl. 54K children accompanying adult clients
National Homeless Strategy 1999
AIM: halve homelessness by 2020 - Was not effective, lowered it by 3%
Family and Relationship Counselling
Assists with dysfunctional relationships - almost 90% of people report an improvement in their emotional health
Describe the areas of inequity experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS.
Death rate from HIV/AIDS in AUS is far lower than in many other countries
Incidence of AIDS in AUS: successfully reduced through use of antiretroviral medications (ARV) - Stops HIV from progressing to AIDS, Manage recurrence: people need to have ongoing and regular HIV testing
AUS has low prevalence of HIV notifications
2015: 1025 new diagnoses made, rate has stabilised over 2012-15 period
HIV is no longer a disease that by law must be reported
Death from increased susceptibility to disease
Explain the impact of health determinants upon people living with HIV/AIDS.
INDIVIDUAL:
Unsafe sexual practices - main mode of transmission (gay men at most risk - 68% of transmissions)
Injecting drug use (1.7% of cases - has reduced from health initiatives e.g. needle exchange programs)
Several sexual partners
Intercourse from an early age
Reluctance to use a condom
Those who visit sex workers
Babies at risk during birth or via breastmilk if mother is affected
Blood transfusion from blood screening
SOCIOCULTURAL:
Societies less tolerant of LGBTQI communities (vilification) - added stress on those with HIV
Anti-discrimination laws to protect from harrassment
Stigma - delays diagnosis + risks spread
Religious beliefs of celibacy/abstinence before marriage - protects
Partners/families of those affected - must learn to adopt new health habits and/or take ARV meds
SOCIOECONOMIC:
Young people who leave school at an early age may miss important safe sex information
Overseas travellers must take special precautions not to contract HIV when visiting high risk countries
There is no vaccine to protect against it
Sex workers need to be educated and made accountable for the spread of the disease
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Safe injecting rooms have helped to reduce the number of notifications of HIV spread by injecting drugs
Mobile needle exchange vans that go to areas at greatest risk also help to reduce the spread of HIV to specific subgroups of the population
Improved access to condoms at places such as clubs, service stations and supermarkets has contributed to safer sex practices
Describe the media’s role in portraying people living with HIV/AIDS, and include examples.
ROLE:
Provide society with sympathetic perspective of issues faced by people with HIV
Negative issues that focus on drug use or alternative lifestyles - addressed in a more caring and sympathetic manner
Media can work in a positive way to focus on issues: E.g. lobbying the government for increases in funding for improved services, support networks, research for a cure or providing greater support for carers of people with HIV
Should continue to make the public aware of the causes of spread of HIV
Supporting anti-discrimination laws - employment
Highlights laws that protect us from self-harming behaviours related to substance abuse
Commonwealth Gov: programming that specifically targets issues for the gay community: ABC and SBS
Media can emphasise ongoing importance of regular HIV testing to delay the progression from HIV to AIDS
EXAMPLES:
NACCHO Media Release: World AIDS Day (since 2019)
Slogan: ‘Inclusion. Respect. Equity.’
Beginning of HIV Awareness Week - building on the original ATSI HIV Awareness Week
Hosts virtual trivia
Evaluate TWO government interventions aimed at improving health inequities for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Home and Community Care (HACC)
Provides community support services
Not effective
People living with HIV/AIDS are usually ineligible in most states - unable to access HACC funded services
Not within the target groups
If eligible: difficulties arise in terms of the priority allocated to the group and lack of service provider training
National HIV Strategy
National needle and syringe and screening programs
Effective
Highly successful in sustaining a low HIV prevalence in some disadvantaged groups especially people who inject drugs and sex workers
Treatment as Prevention (TasP)
Refers to taking HIV medicine to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV - highly effective
