Health inequalities and third sector seminar Flashcards
sociology
the study of developmental, structure and functioning of human society
Applying sociology to healthcare
healthcare professional patient relationships
people make sense of illness
professional values
interactions between staff
Sociology and health promotion
only works if we understand the ways different groups in society operate
sick role patient
exempts ill people from daily responsibilities
seek help from healthcare
social obligation to get better
sick role healthcare professional
objective and not judge
not act out of self interest
obey professional code
maintain necessary knowledge and skills
social class
income and position within employment
socio-economic influences on health
gender ethnicity housing education employment financial security health system environment
Gender as a social factor
heart disease - males m=f for smoking men - exercise more males - A&E females - carers allowance
ethnicity as a social factor
Asian - diabetes
white - alcohol
Asian - less smoking
white - less fruit and veg
Housing as a social factor
1 in 4 adolescents - cold homes - mental illness
cold homes - resp problems
winter deaths - cold homes
education as a social factor
higher level = healthier
better understanding of health
more effective engagement eg screening programmes
Employment as a social factor
income and financial security
social contacts
status in society
purpose in life
Transport and health
car use - pollution
cycling and walking
public transport
media and health
shapes and stereotypes our views
shapes expectations
mental health
Health inequalities
differences in health status or in the distribution of health determinants between different population groups
examples of health inequalities
average life expectancy alcohol admissions smokers GP consultations - anxiety breastfeeding
key determinant of health inequalities
deprivation
also age, gender and ethnicity
Health inequalities in children
low birth weight breastfeeding obesity dental health teenage pregnancy
Vulnerable groups
LGBT homeless prisoners refugees learning disability
Vulnerable groups - homeless
47 years M and 43 years F death by unnatural causes suicide alcohol and drug problems TB, HIV, Hep C poor oral health not registered with GP
Barriers stopping people with learning disability getting good quality care
lack of accessible transport
staff have little understanding
not enough involvement allowed from carers
inadequate aftercare or follow up care
patients not identified as having learning disability
failure to recognise that a person with learning disability is unwell
fail to make right diagnosis
lack of joint working from healthcare providers
challenges for refugees
family and social adjustments language barriers PTSD, anxiety competing demands of services eg education, housing, transport, mental health, GP unfamiliar with preventative medicine exposure to violence anti-immigrant sentiments
Vulnerable groups - prisoners
alcohol problems
smokers
rarely feel loved or interested in people
illicit drugs
vulnerable groups - LGBT
depression and anxiety self harm lack of understanding inappropriate advice or treatment homophobic staff
Inverse care law
those who most need medical care are least likely to receive it and those with least need of health care tend to use health services more and more effectively
“equally well”
poorest - die early, mental health and disease
tackle health inequalities
third sector, schools, NHS
CHILDREN - heart disease, drugs, violence
address health gap
What range of factors can reduce health inequalities?
improve housing in deprived areas
improved employment opportunities
reduction in poverty
government policies and legislation eg smoking ban
partnership across range of sectors and organisations
time to invest in more vulnerable patient groups
equal access to education
voluntary sector organisations
provide means of engaging effectively with communities and individuals
deliver range of services
eg promote healthy living to those who may not use mainstream services
support people to access NHS services
benefits of volunteering
gain confidence make a difference meet people learn new skills take on a challenge
