Indicators of Health Inequalities

Question 1

What is a health indicator ?

Answer 1

• Its a single measure that captures a key dimension of health such as how many people suffer from chronic disease
• Indicators also capture various determinants of health such as income or key dimensions of the health care system such as how often patients return to hospital for more care after they are treated

Question 2

What are the 6 characteristics of health indicators ?

Answer 2

• Reliability : Repeated measurement under similar circumstances by or different individuals produce the same results
• Validity : the indicator measures qualities or characteristics that is intended to measure
• Sensitivity : To be able to detect changes
• Acceptability : The potential users find it understandable , credible and useful
• Feasibility : there is data to support calculation and reporting of the measure
• Universality : It is adaptable to different populations/settings

Question 3

In Canada , what are the 5 groups are the health indicators divided into ?

Answer 3

1. Health status : this provides information on health of Canadians
2. Non-medical determinants of health : this provides information on factors outside of the health system that affect health
3. Health system performance : this provides insight into the quality of health services , including accessibility , appropriateness , effectiveness and patient safety
4. Community and health system characteristics : this provides useful contextual information that affect health status
5. Equity : this provides insight into health disparities

Question 4

What is the main source of data on structure and dynamics in Canada ?

Answer 4

• Census

Question 5

What population is missed when census is used to record data ?

Answer 5

• Homeless populations and illegal immigrants

Question 6

What are population registries and what is an example of them ?

Answer 6

• they are source of data that provide information on the population size and composition
• For example the health card of each province is a registry of their residents who receive health care

Question 7

What are some factors that can effect population size ?

Answer 7

• Deaths
• Births
• Marriage
• Migration

Question 8

what can help address the health inequities ?

Answer 8

• it requires a routine monitoring system in place focused on health inequities and the social determinants of health