social determinants of health Flashcards
social class
a position in a system of structured inequality based on the unequal distribution of power, wealth, income and status
-grouping based on similar social factors (wealth, income, education, occupation, prestige status)
socio economic status often used interchangeably with ____ but this is imperfect because…
class
what is meant by class
-differences in “lifestyle”
-tied to patterns of consumption - clothing, housing, cars, media , subtle “style”
-this description does not explain where class comes from or the underlying structures of class
marx vs webber takes on class
marx
-explained class as ones relationship to the “means of production”
-the beougeoisie (middle class, materialistic views) who owns the mean of production
-the proletariat (working class) who sell their labour to produce
-also the “little bourgeoisie” that include small business owners
Weber
-share same perspective but added additional elements
-added status and prestige along with marx economic production
-“life chances” describes how some are able to make lifestyle choices based on their class
social stratification (i.e inequality)
system/seperation and categorization of people reflects an unequal distribution of resources as a result/system of social standing
-different social groups / classes -> differing access to/control of resources -> different health outcomes
eg. ability to purchase healthy liftestyles. health/illness can be considered result of unequal access to resources
health inequalities
different health status and outcomes
-unavoidable
eg. difference based on age
result of genetic factors, time
health inequities
nature of reasons for different status/outcomes
-avoidable, not inevitable or natural and therefore unjust
eg. differences based on access to healthcare
result of social structural failure, discrimination
health equity
the absence of unfair and avoidable or remediable differences in health among population groups defined socially, economically, demographically or geographically
life expectancies in canada
did not increase between 2016-2017
-first time in 4 decades
-largely attributed to opioid crisis
-deaths due to accidental drug use in young men offset gains by older men
-fewer death due to cancer and circulatory disease -> gains
health inequality and inequities in canada
generally- canada is a wealthy and healthy nation
-but there is considerable income and wealth inequality
-also great and growing health inequalities
-income + health inequalities inevitably linked
- if avoidable and unjust = inequities
education and life expectancy
higher education level/higher income = more years in good health compared to those with lower income
-education increases health knowledge and literacy -> adoption of healthy lifestyle
-higher income = access to better quality resources (food/shelter) and faster access to services
-acess to services = direct effect (health services) or indirect (education)
some people just dont know how to be healthy? or make bad (unhealthy) choices?
yes and no
-class can explain many of the differences in health but does not explain all
-class also has complex links with other “determinants”
social determinants of health (SDH)
economic and social conditions that shape the health of individuals and communities
-primary determinants of whether individuals stay healthy or become ill
-unequal distribution of power, money and resources -> impacts conditions of daily life -> result in health inequities
process of SDH
prejudice, discrimination, historical violence -> unjust, discriminatory, exclusionary policies, processes, structures and inequities in power, money and resources -> inequities in the condiitions of daily life (SDH) -> health disparities
- last 2 repeat themselves through generations
SDH’s
aboriginal status
disability
gender
housing
early life
education
race
social exclusion
employment and working conditions
food insecurity
health services
wealth
unemployment and job security
income and income distribution
