Health inequalities

Question 1

Intro (keynotes)

Answer 1

April 2024, Scots have the lowest life expectancy in Western Europe

Various lifestyle choices that harm one’s health but also socio-economic circumstances

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

Smoking
Alcohol
Poor diet/obesity
Gender inequality
Drug consumption
Poverty

Question 3

Line of argument

Answer 3

One factor = statistically more important
All of these factors exist on an intersectionality causing health inequalities

Question 4

P1

Answer 4

One factor that causes ill health of the population is smoking

Question 5

p1 explain (key points)

Answer 5

Addiction
Linked to numerous diseases: lung disease, cancer, premature death
Those who smoke die younger

Question 6

P1 examples

Answer 6

ASH SCOTLAND 2023
9,000 deaths
100,000 hospitalisations
70% of all lung cancer cases

Question 7

P1 analysis

Answer 7

smoking accounts for a 5th of all deaths in Scotland so arguably must be more important than other factors

Question 8

P2

Answer 8

Some people argue that alcohol is a bigger factor compared to smoking

Question 9

P2 explain (key points)

Answer 9

Also an addiction
Linked to numerous diseases: cancer, fertility issues, liver failure
Those who engage in problematic drinking will die younger

Question 10

P2 examples

Answer 10

1,276 deaths
40 Scots a week due to alcohol related health issues

Question 11

P2 analysis

Answer 11

Bigger factor than smoking as it has a higher weekly mortality rate

Question 12

P1 + P2 link

Answer 12

Both significant factors

Smoking has more effect on health of
population as no safe limit of consumption

Higher yearly death toll

Question 13

P3

Answer 13

One factor that causes ill health is poor diet

Question 14

P3 explain (key points)

Answer 14

Engaging in unhealthy eating patterns = undisputed cause of poor health

Linked to health problems: obesity, diabetes, strokes

Most deprived areas, access to nutritious food + gym = reduced compared to least deprived

Question 15

P3 examples

Answer 15

1 in 20 adult cancer cases linked to obesity

Question 16

P3 analysis

Answer 16

Considering obesity is going to be the biggest cause of preventable cancer, poor diet & effects must be more significant than others

Question 17

P4

Answer 17

However, some people argue that gender is a more significant factor compared to poor diet

Question 18

P4 explain (key points)

Answer 18

Health = gendered issue

More research in men than women

Men’s mental health is taboo in society

Question 19

P4 examples

Answer 19

Men in least deprived areas living avg 1.2 years longer than women (23.8-22.6)

10 years to diagnose female specific health issues like endometriosis

Question 20

P4 analysis

Answer 20

Due to life expectancy difference, gender = bigger issue

Question 21

P3 + P4 link (key points)

Answer 21

Both poor diet + gender = significant
Gender = bigger as higher death toll than poor diet and more people are women compared to having a poor diet

Question 22

P5

Answer 22

One factor that causes health inequalities is drug consumption

Question 23

P5 explain (key points)

Answer 23

Addiction
Gum disease, mental health issues, heart problems
Die younger

Question 24

P5 examples

Answer 24

Scotland long having the highest drug deaths in all of Europe

National Survey Scotland (2023), 1,197 drug related deaths

Question 25

P5 analysis

Answer 25

High death rate and amount of time it's gone on, more significant

Question 26

P6

Answer 26

However, some people argue that poverty is a larger factor in causing health inequalities compared to drug consumption

Question 27

P6 explain (key points)

Answer 27

More likely to engage in behaviours that cause health inequalities Lower life expectancy Reliable healthcare & items needed to live a long, healthy life like food, medicine and sanitary products = inaccessible

Question 28

P6 example

Answer 28

54% of drug related hospital admissions come from the most deprived areas

Question 29

P6 analysis

Answer 29

Those living in poverty have less access to essentials needed to live long healthy life, must be a more significant factor than others

Question 30

P5 + P6 link (key points)

Answer 30

Both factors cause ill health Poverty = more significant as acts as a catalyst for people engaging in other factors

Question 31

Conclusion (key points)

Answer 31

All of these factors are significant Poverty = biggest as acts as a catalyst and individuals experiencing poverty don't have access to essentials to live a long + healthy life All factors exist on an intersectionality No one factor is able to take the sole blame of being biggest cause of health inequalities in Scotland & U.K