Vulnerability and risk factors Flashcards
Social inequality and health
Poverty has increased in all western countries in the last 20 years. The distance between poverty and wealth is getting bigger.
Health and illness are determined by social conditions and variations include:
- Perceived inequality
- Stress
- Lack of control
- Lower social connection
Class, gender, race and places
Greater working-class power and political participation is associated with improved community health. In those countries with more social democratic rather than neo-liberal governments the power of capital has been resisted and the impact on health has been less. They have achieved this through a combination of both, material and psychosocial advantages.
Study of place and health
Hazard exposure: physical and biological risk factors are spatially distributed. Exposure = health risk.
Social relationships: space and place shapes the character os social relationships and in turn psychosocial and behavioural risk factors (social capital).
Sense of place and subjective meaning: community identity and community narratives.
Reducing inequalities
- Strengthening individuals.
- Strengthening communities.
- Improving access to essential facilities and services.
- Encouraging macroeconomic and cultural change.
Social justice is to avoid health inequalities when they are avoidable, unnecessary and unfair.
Social justice
Principles of a just society:
- Equal basic liberties as political participation to improve health.
- Provide a robust form of equal opportunity=childcare
- Limit inequalities
Si todo se cumple los individuos se sentirán respetados (self-worth).
Consequences of promoting social justice promote:
- Advocar por ella
- Challenge el victim blaming about the causes of illness
- Agitating against regressive social policies.
- Working with marginalized communities.
- Transform the world rather than explaining it
