Variations in health status between population groups

Question 1

Biological factors

Answer 1

• Body weight
• Genetics

Question 2

Sociocultural factors

Answer 2

• Unemployment
• Access to healthcare

Question 3

Environmental factors

Answer 3

• Work environment
• Geographical location

Question 4

Differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous population groups - Biological factor

Answer 4

Body weight:
- Indigenous Australians are more likely to have a high BMI than non-Indigenous Australians.

• High BMI > obesity > greater strain on heart > heart attack
• Higher mortality rates for CVD + lowered life expectancy for Indigenous Australians.

Question 5

Differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous population groups - Sociocultural factor

Answer 5

Access to health services:
- Indigenous Australians are less likely to have access to health services compared to non-Indigenous Australians.

• Cultural norms > use traditional medicines > medicine medicines culturally inappropriate > conditions untreated
• increased morbidity and mortality rates for conditions (CVD), lowering life expectancy for Indigenous Australians.

Question 6

Differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous population groups - Environmental factor

Answer 6

Geographical location:
- Indigenous Australians are less likely to have access to health services due to geographical location compared to non-Indigenous Australians.

• many live in rural areas > decreased access to services > many conditions untreated
• higher morbidity and mortality rates due to conditions (CVD), lowering life expectancy for Indigenous Australians.

Question 7

Differences between male and female population groups - Biological factor

Answer 7

Body weight:
- Males are more likely to have a high BMI compared to females.

• Males biologically larger than females > greater average weight > higher BMI > heart works harder to pump blood
• higher morbidity and mortality rates for CVD + decreased life expectancy for males.

Question 8

Differences between male and female population groups - Sociocultural factor

Answer 8

Unemployment:
- Unemployment can have a greater impact on males compared to females.

• Males feel as if its their duty to provide for family > unemployment > males feel inadequate > stress and anxiety
• Higher mortality rates due to suicide for males, decreasing life expectancy for males.

Question 9

Differences between male and female population groups - environmental factor

Answer 9

Work environment:
- Males are more likely to work in risky jobs than females.

• Working in transport > extended periods of time spent on roads > risk of road trauma
• Increased mortality rates for injury, decreasing life expectancy for males.

Question 10

Differences between high and low SES population groups - Biological factor

Answer 10

Body weight:
- Those with a low SES are more likely to have a higher body weight than those with a high SES.

• Low SES > lower income > look for cheap food options > fast foods high in fat, salt & sugar > obesity
• Increased morbidity and mortality for type 2 diabetes, decreasing life expectancy for those with a low SES.

Question 11

Differences between high and low SES population groups - Sociocultural factor

Answer 11

Unemployment:
- Those with low SES are more likely to be unemployed than those with high SES.

• Unemployment > low income > decreased access to healthcare > unable to treat condition > inability to gain employment
• Higher morbidity and mortality rates for conditions, decreasing life expectancy for low SES.

Question 12

Differences between high and low SES population groups - Environmental factor

Answer 12

Geographical location:
- Those with low SES are more likely to be disadvantaged due to geographical location compared to high SES.

• Decreased infrastructure > unable to access healthy foods > reliance on unhealthy foods > greater intake of fat, salt & sugar > obesity
• Higher morbidity and mortality rates for type 2 diabetes, increasing HALE for low SES.

Question 13

Differences between those living within and outside of Australia’s major cities - Biological factor

Answer 13

Body weight:
- Those living in rural areas are more likely to have a higher BMI than those living within Australia’s major cities.

• Higher price of healthy foods > reliance on processed foods > CVD & type 2 diabetes
• increased HALE and morbidity and mortality rates for CVD and type 2 diabetes, decreasing life expectancy for those living in rural areas.

Question 14

Differences between those living within and outside of Australia’s major cities - Sociocultural factor

Answer 14

Unemployment:
- Those living in rural areas are more likely to be unemployed compared to those living in Australia’s major cities.

• Less infrastructure > less job opportunities > increased unemployment > unable to access healthcare > unable to treat conditions
• increased morbidity and mortality rates for CVD, decreasing life expectancy for those living in rural areas.

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