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"Do, or do not. There is no try" - Yoda, 0BBY
The mortality statistics described in topic 1 appear to indicate a generally improved health status for Australians, but unfortunately this is not shared Australia-wide. There are some fundamental differences in the level of health in particular groups in out generally affluent society.
These differences exist in terms of:
the unequal distribution of some illnesses or conditions throughout the population (across different cultures, geographic locations, ages and genders
health inequities; that is, the unjust impact on the health status of some groups due to social, economic, environmental and cultural factors, such as income, education, availability of transport and access to health services
Major indicators - such as the incidence and prevalence of disease and different rates of sickness, hospitalisation and death - point to areas in which inequities exist. Health is, to a large extent, the result of people's decisions about health behaviours (such as regular participation in physical activity) and their everyday experiences as they interact and respond to the social, physical and cultural environments in which they live. However, an individual's level of health is determined by a broader range of factors and not just their health-related decisions. Sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors play a significant role in the achievement of good health. Some factors have the potential for change, such as individuals choosing not to smoke, or governments making roads safer. Other factors, such as an individual's genetic makeup, are generally not modifiable. For more information on modifiable health determinants see the preliminary module Better Health for Individuals.
Health is therefore not only the responsibility of the individual. Governments and health authorities recognise that it is not always possible for an individual to choose a particular lifestyle. Health promotion and illness prevention campaigns attempt to address the determinants that have an impact on health or affect people's ability to make good decisions about their health.
A determinant is a factor that can have an impact on a person's or group's health status, either positively (protective factors) or negatively (risk factors). These can be classified as:
sociocultural determinants - including family, peers, media, religion and culture
socioeconomic determinants - including employment, education and income
environmental determinants - including geographical location and access to health services
We will examine the following main groups that experience health inequities in Australia:
people in rural or remote areas
overseas-born people
the elderly
people with disabilities
We will analyse each group in terms of:
the nature and extent of the health inequities
the sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental determinants
the roles of individuals, communities and governments in addressing the health inequities
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