Class 3: Health Inequities

People have different needs. Equitable means people getting the resources they need. Everyone ahs different baselines. Equal doesn’t mean fair.

People have different needs. Equitable means people getting the resources they need. Everyone ahs different baselines. Equal doesn’t mean fair.

Why do we say “equitable” and fair distrubution of benefits, not “equal”?

Social justice

Focuses on the relative position of social advantage of one individual or social group in relation to others in society. Looks at root causes of inequities and what can be done to eliminate them.

Vulnerable populations

Those who are likely to develop health problems as a result of excessive risks, barriers when trying to access health care services, dependency on others for care. Can be understood in relation to the determinants of health.

Harm reduction

Approach to substance abuse that is practical and safer. focuses on education, limiting amounts, and providing resources.

1. transportation

2. Dental/eye care not under act

3. etc.

How can income be a barrier when trying to access health care services? [at least 2]

1. Low income

2. Chronic illness

3. new immigrants

4. indigenous/ minority communities

Vulnerable populations who are likely to develop health problems as a result of excessive risks: (4)

1. Socioeconomic status

2. literacy

3. social inclusion

Vulnerable populations can be understood in relation to these determinants of health (mainly):

1. people living in poverty

2. homeless people

3. living in precarious circumstances

4. chronic conditions/disabilities

5. engaging in stigmatizing risky behaviours

6. Indigenous, new immigrants, and refugees

Examples of vulnerable populations:

Reduce barriers to access services

The number one responsibility/goal of nursing when providing care to vulnerable populations:

1. Requires more than a tolerance of difference

2. must understand cultural beliefs, practices, values

3. an understanding to determine if needs and interventions will most likely improve their health (strengths--based nursing)

4. Accepting difference doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing

Key points for providing care to vulnerable populations: [4]

1. Create: a comfortable environment

2. Learn: about their cultures

3. provide: competent and safe assessment

4. Be: aware of their priorities

5. Collaborate: with others as appropriate (ex: social work)

How to set the stage when providing care to vulnerable populations: [5]

1. Social support

2. economic status

3. resources for health care

4. current problems

5. medication

6. how they manage health

Question topics to include when collecting nursing history of an individual or a family: [6]

1. Be alert for indications of abuse, substance use, or differences from expected findings

2. Does family have unning water, plumbing, electricity, access to phone? Ventilation? Temperature? High levels of noise, automobile exhaust?

Things to consider during physical examination or home assessment of vulnerable populations:

Food security:

When all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life

Quebec (14%)

Province with lowest food insecurity:

NL ( 23%)

Province with highest food insecurity:

Low income

What is the strongest predictor of food insecurity?

1. People living on reserves/crown lands

2. Full time members of the Canadian forces

3. Persons in prisons or care facilities

4. homeless

Statistics Canada food insecurity stats do not include which groups? [4]

Moe prevalent among households with children 18 years of age or younger (more mouths to feed, more people cannot contribute)

Which households have higher food insecurity rates?

1. Asthma (linked to food allergies)

2. depression

3. suicidal ideation

Children who are food insecure are at higher risks for which conditions:

1. Extreme poverty

2. single motherhood

3. living in a rental property

4. reliance on social assistance

What sociodemographic risk factors might Indigenous households experience that are associated with food insecurity?

1. food banks

2. money from government to low income families

3. food panties (ex: mun)

Direct initiatives impacting food insecurity: [2]

1. $25 a day childcare

An indirect initiative by goverment impacting food insecurity

Nutrition screening

Process of discovering charateristics or risk factors that are known to be associated with dietary or nutrition problems

To identify individuals who are potentially at high risk of complex and involved problems that relate to nutrition

Primary purpose of nutrition screening