health inequalities 20 marker

Question 1

Choosing to Smoke Vs Experiencing Poverty

Question 2

1. point

Answer 2

Some hold the view that poor health is a choice made by those who decide to smoke.

Question 3

2. explanation

Answer 3

Smoking is an addiction and it has been linked to very serious diseases such as lung disease, cancer and early death. The choice to start and then continue to smoke makes it significantly more likely that someone will suffer from poor health.

Question 4

3. evidence

Answer 4

Evidently this is a big problem as ASH Scotland reports that over 1 in 10 of all deaths in Scotland are smoking related.

Question 5

4. analysis

Answer 5

Clearly the choices that these smokers make means many more people are dying than need to in Scotland.

Question 6

5. rebuttal/response

Answer 6

Arguably others hold the view that this harm comes down to more than choice and that poverty needs to be considered.

Question 7

6. explanation

Answer 7

Those who live in more deprived areas are more likely to smoke suggesting poverty might have a role
to play. For some poorer people smoking might help suppress their hunger as an alternative to spending
money on food. Wealthier people are also better able to afford the cost of anti-smoking support making it
easier for them to stop smoking.

Question 8

7. evidence

Answer 8

The evidence from ASH Scotland is that 32% of the poorest in Scotland smoke compared to 4% of the richest in Scotland.

Question 9

8. evaluation

Answer 9

Clearly there seems to be a strong link between being in poverty and smoking when the poorest are 5x more likely to smoke suggesting that smoking related harm is very much connected to deprivation.

Question 10

Choosing to ignore mental health Vs Experiencing poverty

Question 11

1. point

Answer 11

Again some argue that choice is a factor as many men chose to act in a way that may be harmful to their health.

Question 12

2. explanation

Answer 12

Known as “Toxic Masculinity” this is when men act tough and show little emotion or indication that they are suffering. Many men will choose to ignore or not acknowledge their problems to seem strong. This would explain why men are significantly less likely to seek help from the doctor and have
higher rates of suicide.

Question 13

3. evidence

Answer 13

According to Public Health Scotland just over 75% of suicides in Scotland are by men who take their own lives.

Question 14

4. analysis

Answer 14

The stark contrast between in the suicide rate suggest that the pressures on men to act strong is costing them their lives.

Question 15

5. rebuttal/response

Answer 15

Once more it can be argued that, sadly, poverty may be making the suicide rate of men much worse.

Question 16

6. explanation

Answer 16

Traditional gender stereotypes also expect men to be the breadwinner or primary worker in a family. For those men experiencing poverty this expectation to provide might add more pressure onto their mental health if they fail to do so. And this may push them to consider death by suicide.

Question 17

7.evidence

Answer 17

Public Health Scotland make clear that in the 5 years up to 2020 people in the most deprived parts of Scotland were 3x more likely to take their own live.

Question 18

8. evaluation

Answer 18

The fact that those in poverty are much more likely to die suggests that poverty pressures are putting a big strain on people’s mental health generally and men’s lives in particular.

Question 19

Choosing to abuse alcohol Vs Experiencing poverty

Question 20

1. point

Answer 20

It can be argued people choose to damage their health by drinking alcohol.

Question 21

2. explanation

Answer 21

The more someone drinks the more likely they are to suffer from poor health such as cirrhosis of the liver and high blood pressure. It has also been shown to cause cancer, fertility problems and damage the immune system. Alcohol consumption is much higher in Scotland than in England which suggests it’s a cultural choice.

Question 22

3. example

Answer 22

According to Public Health Scotland, Alcohol linked deaths in Scotland are nearly 2x the rate of those in England for men and women.

Question 23

4. analysis

Answer 23

Alcohol is a big part of Scottish culture but one that is causing a lot of harm.

Question 24

5. rebuttal

Answer 24

Unfortunately, there is a clear link between alcohol-specific deaths and deprivation.

Question 25

6. explanation

Answer 25

Some of the most deprived parts of Glasgow have more visible problems with alcohol abuse. This may be because alcohol is often abused by people who may wish to escape their problems or deal with stress. People who are more deprived often have higher levels of physical & mental health problems, poverty and debt problems to deal with and fewer places to socialise than in the pub.

Question 26

7. example

Answer 26

PHS reports that the alchohol-sepcific death rates were more than 8x higher for the poorest in Scotland than for the richest.

Question 27

8. analysis

Answer 27

Considering how much more likely poorer people are likely to die due to alcohol than those better off suggests that poverty and alcohol related crimes are highly connected.