HLTH101- Lecture Notes + In Class Questions Combined

What SDoH impact Addiction?

All of them;

• Income and social protection

• Education

• Unemployment and job insecurity

• Working conditions

• Housing

• Food insecurity

• Early childhood development

• Social inclusion and non-discrimination

• Structural conflict

• Access to affordable healthcare of decent quality

What language can be used to reduce stigma about addiction?

• Addict, Abuser, Junkie= Person with a substance use disorder

• Abuse= Misuse

• Drug Habit= Substance use disorder

• Former Addict= Person in recovery, Addiction survivor

What are some strategies for Addiction and Substance Misuse?

• Harm Reduction

  • Ex. Needle exchange programs

• Prevention and Education

• Treatment and Rehab

  • Providing individuals with the necessary support/resources to overcome addiction

• Legal and Regulatory Approaches

  • Laws and regulations to manage drug use

    • Ex. Decriminalization

What is Food Insecurity?

The lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life

What can Food Insecurity be brought on by?

• Economic constraints

• Geographical barriers

• Emergency situations

What is Housing Insecurity?

Lack of stable and adequate housing, Poor housing conditions

Food (In)security as a SDoH?

• Nutritional Health (i.e. access, malnutrition)

• Mental Health (i.e. stress, anxiety, social isolation)

• Healthcare Access (i.e. preventable health issues)

Housing (In)security as a SDoH?

• Physical Health (i.e. unsafe living conditions, overcrowding)

• Mental Health (i.e. instability and stress, child development)

• Access to services (i.e. limited access to healthcare, transport challenges)

What are some solutions for Homelessness?

• Food Assistance Programs

• Community Food Programs

• Increase Affordable Housing Supply

• Rent Control
  

If abortion was banned in the US, overall percent of maternal deaths would be: …Death percent for Black Women

Overall 24%, Black Women 39%

What is Global Warming?

The increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases

Consequences of Climate Change

• Rising temperatures 

• Extreme weather events

  • Ex. Flooding, Hurricanes

• Melting ice, rising sea levels

• Impacts on biodiversity

  • Ex. Species extinction

• Food security, agriculture

  • Ex. Crop failures

• Human health

Environmental Racism

Racialized individuals live in areas with higher exposure to environmental hazards

How does climate change impact Indigenous populations?

• Disruption of traditional lifestyles 

  • Climate change threatens resources

• Land rights and displacement

• Social exclusion, marginalization

  • Limited political power

What are some solutions for Climate Change?

• Transition to Renewable Energy 

  • Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal

• Sustainable Agriculture/Food

  • Regenerative agriculture

    • Ex. Agroforestry, Crop rotation

  • Reduce food waste

  • Plant based diets

• Reforestation

  • Promote large-scale reforestation (restore degraded lands)

  • Agroforestry

Criminalization = ???

Social Control

Criminal Justice System = ???

Poor Health

• Poor healthcare in prisons 

• Disrupts support structures

• Poor rehabilitation programs

Examples of Criminalization of health-related behaviours?

• Substance misuse (Ex. Drug possession)

• Homelessness

In what ways is homelessness criminalized?

• Loitering 

• Trespassing 

Strain Theory

Crime arises when individuals are unable to achieve socially approved goals through Legitimate means= Turning to crime as an alternative was to achieve these goals

Social Disorganization Theory

Crime is more likely to occur in communities where social institutions are weak or ineffective

• Fail to regulate behaviour or provide the social cohesion necessary to prevent crime

Labelling Theory

Crime is the result of society labelling certain behaviours of individuals as deviant

• Self fulfilling prophecy

Recidivism

The tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to reoffend

What are some solutions for Health and Criminal Behaviour?

• Health-Centered Criminal Justice Reforms

  • Shifting from punitive justice approaches to health-centered models- focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment

• Ex. Diversion Programs

  • Route individuals with mental health issues or substance use disorders away from incarceration and into treatment program

• Trauma-Informed Care and Holistic Reentry Programs 

  • Help individuals successfully reintegrate into society- reduce likelihood of reoffending 

    • Include healthcare, housing, employment assistance, and mental health support

Pros of Defunding the Police?

• Reinvestment in Community-Based Health and Social Services

• Addressing structural inequalities

• Reduction in police violence

Cons of Defunding the Police?

• Risk to public safety 

• Insufficient alternatives

• Strain on other services (EMS, fire)

What is Democracy?

A system of government in which power is vested in the people

How does “Neoliberalism threaten Democracy”

• Increasing health inequities

• Underfunding of public health 

• Continued privatization of health services

• Focus on individual responsibility 

• Complete erosion of the welfare state

How do Misconceptions about Health impede Policy Action regarding the SDoH?

1. Health is primarily about Individual Choices

• When policymakers and public focus on individual responsibility for health, they dismiss the importance of social factors such as; poverty, access to education and working conditions

2. Health Inequities are Inevitable

• When health inequalities are seen as inevitable or natural

• Ex. Indigenous Health Disparities

3. Health Policy should focus only on Healthcare

• A narrow focus on healthcare leads to policies that prioritize funding for medical services and hospital infrastructure

  • Fail to address the upstream causes of poor health

• Ex. Privatization

4. Economic Growth will solve Health Inequities

• Policymakers may focus on policies that aim to increase GDP or create jobs without considering how the distribution of wealth/resources affects health outcomes

• Ex. Income Inequality and Health Care

5. Change is too Expensive

• Deters governments from investing in policies that have the potential to significantly improve the SDoH

  • Such as expanding social safety nets, or raising minimum wage

What are some examples of “progressive” policies

• Canada’s National Housing Strategy (2017)

• Canada Child Benefit (2016)

• Indigenous Health Initiatives 

• Minimum Wage Increases

Why are Canadians generally uninformed about the social determinants of health?

Media neglects to highlight the importance of SDoH

How can Canadians influence governments and policymakers to focus on the social determinants of health?

By engaging in advocacy and lobbying activities to promote SDoH policies

What is a key factor in improving early childhood development in Canada?

Expanding access to universal and affordable child-care

Which policy recommendation would most likely reduce income inequality and poverty in Canada?

Increasing the minimum wage and providing more assistance for those unable to work

What is the relationship between homelessness and incarceration?

Homelessness significantly increases the risk of incarceration

How can addressing health disparities reduce recidivism rates among individuals in the criminal justice system?

By providing mental health treatment, individuals can address underlying issues that contribute to repeated criminal behaviour

A common critique of defunding the police is that:

Redirecting funds to community health programs may increase crime rates due to weakened emergency responses

How does neoliberalism contribute to health inequities in the context of climate change?

By promoting free-market policies that prioritize corporate interests, often neglecting public health and environmental protection

According to This Changes Everything, which of the following is highlighted as a critical barrier to effective climate action?

The political and economic power of fossil fuel industries and their influence on policy

Which of the following would be an example of improving adaptive capacity in response to climate change?

Installing air conditioning units in public buildings during heatwaves

Which of the following groups is most likely to experience severe health impacts from climate change in Toronto?

People living in neighborhoods with poor infrastructure

Which principle is considered essential to make carbon pricing fair?

Provide direct support to lower-income families to offset costs

What is a potential outcome for trans and nonbinary individuals living in areas with more inclusive policies and greater protections?

Greater access to gender-affirming medical care and overall better mental health

How does gender bias affect the treatment of female patients?

It often results in misdiagnosis or under-treatment

What is one of the main reasons the women's movement pushed for gender sensitive research in healthcare?

To address the exclusion of women from clinical trials and improve their representation in health research

How does Rabbit articulate the relationship between his living conditions and substance use?

He indicates that his struggles with addiction are a result of societal neglect and the lack of support systems

What is one of the major consequences of criminalizing drug use?

It enhances the stigma associated with addiction, hindering access to medical treatment

Which of the following was highlighted as a key benefit of decriminalizing drug possession in Portugal?

A shift of resources from law enforcement to treatment

What is a significant reason traumatized individuals might resort to substance misuse?

They aim to stabilize their emotional and physical state

Which of the following best explains why opioid-related deaths may be underreported?

Many opioid users avoid hospitals, leading to deaths outside of institutional care settings

How does the concept of the care economy reflect gender inequality?

Women, especially racialized women, dominate the care economy, often in poorly paid roles that are undervalued

What role does intersectionality play in healthcare for LGBTQIA+ individuals?

It creates additional challenges for accessing care

Social Disorganization Theory suggests that crime is more likely to occur in communities where:

Social institutions like schools, healthcare and social services are weak or failing

According Marlon Peterson in his TED Talk, what is key issue with the current criminal justice system in the US?

The criminal justice system dehumanizes individuals, treating them as disposable and focusing more on punishment than rehabilitation

Which of the following best explains the role public policy in shaping the social determinants of health?

Public policies are primarily driven by market forces and often fail to prioritize health determinants

What year did Portugal decriminalize all illicit drugs?

2001- They shifted to a harm-reduction approach

In Canada, the number of people facing food insecurity has significantly grown in recent years due to what?

• High inflation 

• Fiscal constraints brought on by COVID-19 pandemic

What are some key housing issues for migrant workers in Canada?

• Water, food, sanitation

  • Lack of access to clean drinking water

  • Insufficient toilets, showers, food storage

• Heating, cooling, electricity

  • Lack of ventilation & air conditioning in shared trailers

  • Would gather around heaters or oven door to stay warm

• Exposure to pests, hazards and disrepair

  • Living quarters often functioned as workplace facilities

    • May live in close proximity to agricultural chemicals etc.

• Overcrowding and lack of privacy

• Isolation and employer

  • Live in rural areas, away from basic services and community activities

What is “dual purpose”, as described in reading about migrant farm workers?

Means living quarters also functioned as workplace facilities (ex. Garages, granaries, etc.)

What are some actions to ensure safe housing for migrant workers?

• Consistent National Housing Standards

• Proactive, Unannounced and thorough Housing Inspections

• Government-Funding Housing

• Permanent Residency, Open Work Permits and a Fair Grievance Procedure

What is the ‘Housing-Food Insecurity Nexus’?

• The relationships between housing and food insecurity

• The co-occurrence of housing and food insecurity

Short-Term solutions to the ‘Housing-Food Insecurity Nexus’

• Community based initiatives can bring food and housing provisioning together

• Can facilitate food growing

• Spatial access to affordable food in temporary accommodation or social housing

Medium-Term solutions to the ‘Housing-Food Insecurity Nexus’

• A better effort can be made to address intersecting policy drivers- Through more collaborative governance

Long-Term solutions to the ‘Housing-Food Insecurity Nexus’

• Addressing basic needs (ex. Housing, food) framed as rights rather than commodities

• Benefits must meet rising rental costs

• Housing costs can’t rise above 30% of incomes

• Policy can target supply-side proposals that may decommodify housing

  • Protecting it from the financialization that is helping drive housing insecurity 

What is the suggestion made by Universal Basic Services, in reading about the slow-burning housing crisis?

Rather than targeting income alone, policies should ensure that everyone can access basic requirements