Lecture 14: Inequalities And Inequities

Question 1

Are inequities political?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Define inequalities

Answer 2

-measures differences/variations in health
- differences in health experience and outcomes between different population groups - according to SEP, area, age, disability, gender, ethnic group
I.e the social gradient

Question 3

Define inequities aka “how inequalities came about”

Answer 3

Inequalities which are deemed unfair, or unjust
- health inequities are differences in the distribution of resources/ services across populations which do not reflect health needs
- relations of equal and unequal power
(Political, social and economics as well as justice and injustice)

Question 4

Why reduce inequalities?

Answer 4

They are unfair, avoidable, they affect everyone and reducing inequities can be cost effective

Question 5

What is social mobility?

Answer 5

The movement of individuals, families, households or groups of people between social strata

Question 6

Define intra-generational mobility

Answer 6

Movement up or down the social ladder in an individual’s lifetime

Question 7

Define inter generational mobility

Answer 7

Change in socio-economic position between a parent and child

Question 8

Define equality of opportunity

Answer 8

Everyone has the same chance of moving up or down the ladder

Question 9

What does a Lorenz curve measure?

Answer 9

The distribution of wealth in a population. Ie income inequalities.
The more concave= the greater the income inequality in a population

Question 10

Implications of social inequities?

Answer 10

Unequal society
Less social cohesion
Less trust between groups 
Increased stress
Reduced economic productivity
Poorer health outcomes

Question 11

What are some measures of association/risk?

Answer 11

Risk difference = absolute difference

Risk ratio = relative risk

Question 12

Is it fair to give everyone the same thing?

Answer 12

No, because it’s already unequal to begin with so some need extra help (also think of collective growth)

Question 13

What is the Gini coefficient?

Answer 13

The ratio of the area between the line of perfect equality and the observed Lorenz curve, to the area between the line of perfect equality and the line of perfect inequality

Question 14

What is the Gini equation?

Answer 14

(A)/(a+b)

0= very equal society
1= very unequal society

Question 15

Which type of countries have lower social mobility?

Answer 15

Unequal countries (in terms of income)

Question 16

What is a political right response to inequalities?

Answer 16

“Using examples of best practice it is possible to improve performance of others, and therefore reduce inequities”

Question 17

What is a left wing response to inequities?

Answer 17

Reducing inequities can be achieved through redistribution of resources according to need

Question 18

Does the Gini coefficient relate to the Lorenz curve?

Answer 18

Yes

Question 19

What are the steps of drawing the Lorenz curve?

Answer 19

1. Order population from lowest to highest
2. Draw line of absolute equality (45 degrees)
3. Draw line based on available data
4. The more concave, the greater the income inequality in a population

Question 20

What do inequities in health outcome result from?

Answer 20

Inequities in opportunity

Question 21

Why are inequalities largely avoidable?

Answer 21

Because it’s usually an access issue or unmet need (eg can’t afford to go to doctor)

Question 22

What is the rate difference for no association?

Answer 22

0

Question 23

What is the rate difference for negative association?

Question 24

What is the rate difference for positive association?

Answer 24

> 0

Question 25

What is the rate ratio for no association?

Answer 25

1

Question 26

What is the rate ratio for negative association?

Question 27

What is the rate ratio for positive association?

Answer 27

> 1

Question 28

What is the social gradient?

Answer 28

The montonic trend where as you move through a social determinent eg income, increased health outcomes increase with better welfare

Question 29

What are measures of association/effect?

Answer 29

Rate difference (absolute)
Rate ratio (relative)