Health Inequalities Flashcards
What does sociology study
Peoples’ interactions with those engaged in medical occupations i.e. healthcare professional-patient relationships
The way people make sense of illness i.e. illness vs disease
The behaviour and interactions of healthcare professionals in their work setting i.e. professional values, interactions between health care professionals and other health care staff
What characteristics has sociology found associated with medicine
Systemic theory Authority recognised by its clientele Broader community sanction Code of ethics Professional culture sustained by formal professional sanctions
Why is sociology important for health promotion
Promoting healthy behaviour and preventing ill health is only possible if we understand the ways different groups in society operate
- i.e. men and women, rich and poor, young and old
Sociology provides health promotion with an analysis of the different groups in society
What are the features of a patient in the sick role
The sick role exempts ill people from their daily responsibility
Patient is not responsible for being ill and is regarded as unable to get better without the help of a professional
Patient must seek help from a healthcare professional
Patient is under a social obligation to get better as soon as possible to be able to take up social responsibilities again
What is the role of the healthcare professional in the sick role
Must be objective and not judge patients morally
Must not act out of self-interest or greed but put patient’s interests first
He / she must obey a professional code of practice
Must have and maintain the necessary knowledge and skills to treat patients
Has the right to examine patient intimately, prescribe treatment and has wide autonomy in medical practice
What are the social / socio-economic influences on health
Social
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Housing
- Education
- Employment
- Financial security
- Health system
Environment
- Transport
- Media and health
Give 3 examples of gender and how it influences health
Men have a higher mortality at every age
Women have a higher morbidity
Women consult more frequently in GP settings
Give 6 examples of ethnicity and how it influences health
Low socio-economic groups in ethnic communities have higher morbidity rates than their non-ethnic counterparts
Britain is a multicultural society
Ethnicity includes social and cultural influences as well as genetic
There are differences between ethnic groups also
Communication factors play a large part
Stereotypes are a concern
How does education effect health
Those with higher levels of education tend to be healthier than those of similar income who are less well educated i.e.
- better understanding of health
- more effective engagement with healthcare services such as screening
How does employment effect health
Provides income and financial security (deprivation is a major determinant of health inequalities)
Provides social contacts
Provides a status in society
Provides a purpose in life
Unemployment is associated with increased morbidity and premature mortality
How may services to improve whole population health widen health inequalities
i.e. eye checks, cancer screening
If uptake is lowest in those who would derive the greatest benefit
Give 3 examples of how housing can affect health
Adolescents living in cold homes are at more risk of multiple mental health problems compared to those in warm homes
Children living in cold homes are more likely to suffer from respiratory problems than those in warm homes
Excess winter deaths are higher in the coldest quarter than in the warmest
How does the health system influence health
WHO argues the government should protect people against financial risk in matters of health
How does transport affect health
Adverse effects from car use - i.e. RTAs, pollution (often worse in deprived areas with poor urban planning)
Active travel i.e. cycling and walking have a number of health benefits
- improved mental health
- reduced risk of premature death
- prevention of chronic diseases
Combining public transport and active travel can help people achieve recommended daily activity levels
Public transport is more sustainable for longer journeys but can be expensive and less convenient
In rural areas travel infrastructure and public transport may present challenges
How does media and health affect health
Shapes and stereotypes our views
Shapes our expectations
Change in media attitude to mental health, aiming to reduce previous stigma
What is the WHO definition of health inequalities
The differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups
How does deprivation affect health
Children living in most deprived areas have worse health:
- lower birth weight
- poorer dental health
- higher obesity
- higher rates of teenage pregnancy
Give 5 examples of vulnerable groups
Homeless Learning disability Refugees Prisoners LGBT
How are homeless people more vulnerable
- Lower average age of death - suicide, unnatural causes
- More likely to be assaulted
- Alcohol and drug problems higher
- Infectious diseases more common
- Oral health poorer
- Not registered with GP, higher attendance at A&E
What are the barriers which stop people with a learning disability from getting good quality healthcare
- Lack of transport
- Not identified learning disability
- Staff having little understanding about learning disability
- Failure to recognise that a person with a LD is unwell
- Failure to make a correct diagnosis
- Anxiety or lack of confidence for people with a LD
- Lack of joint working from different care providers
- Not enough involvement allowed from carers
- Inadequate aftercare or follow-up care
What are the challenges for refugees arriving in a new country
- Family and social adjustments considered more important than medical issues
- Competing demands of distinct services
- Language barriers
- Refugees with complex medical conditions unable to establish care in time
- Poorly controlled or undiagnosed chronic conditions due to underdeveloped healthcare systems in country of origin
- Unfamiliarity with biomedical practice of preventative medicine
- Public health’s infectious disease screening results are not communicated to those providing ongoing medical care
- Exposure to violence, torture, warfare and internment
- Depression, PTSD, anxiety more common
How does being a prisoner affect health
Drinking problem more common
Smoking more common
Illicit drug use more common
Feel less interested in people, loved or close to others
More likely to live in poorest areas in Scotland
Higher rates of premature death related to violence, accidents, substance misuse and suicide
How does being in an LGBT group affect health
Higher rates of depression
Self-harm
Feel uncomfortable coming to GP with partner
More likely to experience inappropriate advice or treatment due to sexual orientation or gender identity
Experience of homophobic staff
Reluctance to disclose due to real or perceived fear that it will have repercussions
What is the inverse care law
Those who most need medical care are least likely to receive it and those with the least need of healthcare tend to use health services more and more effectively
What range of factors can reduce health inequalities
- Reduction in poverty
- Social inclusion policies
- Improved employment opportunities for all
- Ensuring equal access to education in all areas
- Improved housing in deprived areas
- Refine integration of health and social care
- Government policies and legislation i.e. smoking ban, Keep Well campaign
- Improve access to health and social care services and professionals
- Effective partnership across a range of sectors and organisations i.e. to promote health, improve patient education about health
- Time to invest in the more vulnerable patient groups
What are the roles of voluntary sector organisations
- Provide a means of engaging effectively with communities and individuals
- Deliver a range of services which may help to reduce health inequalities, including promoting health living to groups of people who may not use mainstream services
- Supporting people to access relevant services NHS Health Scotland
Give some examples of the benefits of volunteering
- Gain confidence - give change to try something new and build sense of achievement
- Make a difference - positive affect on people, communities and society
- Meet people
- Be part of a community
- Learn new skills
- Take on a challenge
- Have fun
What is sociology
The study of development, structure and functioning of human society
