Political and Economic Influences on Health Flashcards
how does WHO rank health systems?
The rankings are based on an index:
Health (50%):disability-adjusted life expectancy
Responsiveness (25%):speed of service, protection of privacy, and quality of amenities
Fair financial contribution: 25%
what is a “health” policy?
“All policies which have a direct bearing on health .. includes, among others, income security, employment, education, housing, business, agriculture, transportation, justice and technology.”
Polices aimed at what have the greatest impact on health?
Policies and spending which address the basics of sanitation and immunisation, housing, education, human safety, famine, poverty/social inequality will have MORE impact on health than those targeted at individuals
the impact of political, economic and military forces on health: explanatory varibles
democracy international rivalry civil conflict ethno-religious cleavages income inequality rapid urbanisation level of educational attainment level of economic development
the impact of political, economic and military forces on health: casual impact
level of resources available for allocation to public health
resources actually allocated to public health
productivity - efficiency of health system at utilising allocated resources
exposure of population to risk factors
give examples of political and economic influences on health and how they
can be controlled
national wealth, taxation, subsidies
policies to address: social inequitites
class race/ethnicity immigration status gender sexual orientation
policies to address: institutional power
corporations and businesses government agencies schools laws and regulations not-for-profit organisations
policies to address: living conditions, physicial environment
land use transportation housing residential segregation exposure to toxins
policies to address: living conditions, social environment
experience of class, racism, gender, immigration
culture inc media
violence
policies to address: living conditions, economic and work environment
employment
income
retail businesses
occupational hazards
policies to address: living conditions, service environment
health care
education
social services
policies to address: risk behaviours
smoking poor nutrition low physical activity violence alcohol and other drugs sexual behaviour
policies to address: disease and injury
communicable disease
chronic disease
ijury (intentional and unintentional)
policies to address: mortality
infant mortality
life expectancy
