U3AOS1 - Variations in health status of population groups

Question 1

What are the different population groups?

Answer 1

• Indigenous and non-indigenous
• Males and females
• High SES and low SES
• Those living within and outside of Australia’s major cities

Question 2

Health status of indigenous Australian’s?

Answer 2

• Life expectancy is about 69.1 for men and 73.7 for women
• Twice as high to have a severe disability
• Higher rates of STI’s
• Higher rates of dental decay and gum disease
• Higher rates of chronic conditions

Question 3

Health status of males and females?

Answer 3

• Males are more likely to die at every stage of the lifespan (about 4 years difference)
• Generally males have a much higher burden of disease however females experience higher levels of psychological distress
• Workplace is the factor with the highest impact
• Blood pressure - men more likely to experience hypertension

Question 4

Health status of high and low SES?

Answer 4

• High rates of morbidity due to an inability to afford healthcare and nutritious foods
• Higher levels of obesity which impact CVD and diabetes
• Lower health literacy
• Food insecurity
• Socioeconomic disadvantage are often areas with higher take-away outlets (geographic locations)

Question 5

Health status those living within and outside of Australia’s major cities?

Answer 5

• Higher mortality and morbidity
• Higher rates of injury and transport accidents
• Higher rates of suicide
• Higher rates of low birth weight due to an increase in maternal smoking
• Lower SES
• High risk working environments (mining, fishing)

Question 6

What is a biological factor?

Answer 6

Factors relating to the body that impacted on health and wellbeing, such as genetics, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol

Question 7

Biological factors?

Answer 7

• Genetics (including hormones)
• Body weight
• Blood cholesterol
• Blood glucose regulation
• Birth weight

Question 8

What is a sociocultural factor?

Answer 8

The social and cultural conditions into which people are born, grow, live, work and age.

Question 9

Sociocultural factors?

Answer 9

• Social networks and social exclusion
• Socioeconomic status (SES)
• Social isolation
• Employment status (unemployment)
• Access to healthcare
• Early life experiences
• Food security
• Cultural norms

Question 10

What are environmental factors?

Answer 10

The physical surroundings in which we live, work and play.

Question 11

Environmental factors?

Answer 11

• Urban design - access to physical resources (transport, recreational facilities and healthcare)
• Urban design - infrastructure (roads and transport systems e.g. buses, trams and trains)
• Workplace/ work environment
• Climate change, natural disasters