Key Markers of Social Position Flashcards
1
Q
Define ‘socio-economic position’
A
The social and economic factors that influence what positions individuals or groups hold within the structure of a society.
2
Q
List the three key markers of socio-economic position.
A
- Education
- Income
- Social class based on occupation
3
Q
How does education affect health?
A
- Captures knowledge related / intellectual assets
- Affects cognitive function
- Affects “health literacy” or health-related knowledge
(ability to obtain, read, understand and use health
information) - Affects ability to navigate / access services
- “Gateway” to occupation and income
- Captures transition from parents’ (received) SEP to
adulthood (own) SEP (related to concept of social
mobility)
4
Q
How do we measure education?
A
-Years of schooling
- Highest level of education achieved (primary school,
secondary or high school, degrees)
5
Q
How does income affect health?
A
- Direct measure of material resources
- Affects living standards
- Buys health enhancing commodities and services
- Affects social standing and self-esteem
- May affect ability to access health services (depending on
health care system) - May also buy access to education
- Can change within a short period of time
6
Q
How do we measure income?
A
- Absolute income
- Respondents place themselves into pre-defined brackets /
bands - Relative to official poverty level
- Individual or household level
- Equivalised income: household income adjusted for family
size
7
Q
How does social class affect health?
A
- Based on occupation
- Reflection of a person’s place in society related to their
social standing - Affects health through working conditions
– Occupational hazards, e.g. toxins, risk of getting injured
– Psychosocial processes (demand/control; effort/reward; stress) - Strongly related to income – reflects also material
resources - Strongly related to education
