Income Inequality 5

Question 1

Negative impact on health because (3)

Answer 1

1) People less likely to provide others with social support; 2) Decreases effective community action to create/access services/amenities; 3) Develops elitist governments which focus on economy and not social justice

Question 2

Status hierarchy theory

Answer 2

Income inequality is but one measure of an unequal society

Question 3

Status hierarch theory reflects…

Answer 3

Reflects a steep gradient of income dominated by 1) Class differentials; 2) Status competition

Question 4

Status hierarchy leads to (5)

Answer 4

1) lower social status and 2) Higher levels of social disorder, homicides and other personal crimes; 3) Negative emotions of shame/distrust [across social levels]; 4) Increase in stress at society and community level; 5) Increase in personal stress which leads to poor health outcomes [across all social levels]

Question 5

Neo-materialist theory

Answer 5

Income inequality leads to differential levels of investment in social and community infrastructure

Question 6

Neo-materialism leads to (3)

Answer 6

1) Higher levels of privatisation of public institutions (Education, Health, Transport, Housing, Environmental controls, Social welfare); 2) Leads to reduced access because it is costly [to all]; 3) And thus poorer health outcomes at all levels

Question 7

Examples of privatisation of public institutions (6)

Answer 7

Education, Health, Transport, Housing, Environmental controls, Social welfare

Question 8

Relate the following to income inequality (statistical trends and explanations) (12)

Answer 8

1) Life expectancy; 2) Infant mortality; 3) Infant well-being; 4) Children’s experience of conflict; 5) Education; 6) Teenage pregnancy; 7) Homicide/suicide rates; 8) Rates of imprisonment; 9) Trust; 10) Mental illness; 11) Physical health problems - obesity; 12) Overall index of health and social factors

Question 9

Relate infant mortality to income inequality

Answer 9

Infant mortality [death in first year of life] positively correlated

Question 10

Countries with highest infant deaths

Answer 10

USA, Portugal, NZ, Ireland

Question 11

Countries with lowest infant deaths

Answer 11

Singapore, Japan, Sweden, Finland, Norway

Question 12

Where is Australia in terms of infant deaths

Answer 12

near the middle

Question 13

USA and infant mortality

Answer 13

USA is the richest nation in the world with the best medical facilities, has a market model of health care, but has the highest infant mortality and the second highest level of income inequality

Question 14

Which theory does infant mortality offer support for

Answer 14

neo-materialist theory

Question 15

With many families…

Answer 15

With many families not being able to afford private health cover and are not eligible for Medicare/Medicaid, expectant mothers do not receive adequate antenatal care and the off-spring do not get regular infant welfare care