Social Determinants of Health Flashcards
What evidence exists for health disparities?
Health disparities between low and high status groups are pervasive, persistent, and prevalent
Name three direct contributors to health disparities.
Differential exposure to toxic environments
Food deserts
Limited access to quality healthcare
What is “The Gradient” in social determinants of health?
A concept highlighting that health outcomes worsen at each step down the socioeconomic status (SES) ladder.
How does stress relate to SES and health?
Lower SES groups experience higher chronic stress from daily hassles, lack of control, and social exclusion, negatively affecting health.
Define stigma
Occurs when a person possesses (or is believed to possess) some attribute that marks them as different, negatively sterotyped or socially devalued
What are the three main types of stigma
Tribal stigmas (e.g. race, religion)
Abominations of the body (e.g. disability)
Blemishes of individual character (e.g. addiction)
What are the key features of stigma?
Socially constructed
Context-dependent
Linked to power and marginalization
What are the three sources of stigma-related stress?
Structural (e.g. laws, access, wealth disparities)
Interpersonal (e.g. discrimination, rejection, social exclusion)
Intrapersonal (e.g. knowing your group is devalued can impact health, internalised stigma)
What is “anticipated stigma”?
The expectation of encountering prejudice or discrimination, causing chronic stress and hypervigilance.
What is “internalized stigma”?
Accepting society’s negative views about one’s identity, often resulting in shame and low self-worth.
How does stigma impact health behavior?
It can lead to unhealthy coping (e.g. substance use, poor diet), avoidance of healthcare, and physiological stress.
How does stigma affect healthcare interactions?
Less time spent with stigmatized patients
Biased treatment (e.g. underprescription of pain meds)
Fear and avoidance of care due to stereotype threat
