Health inequalities

There are many causes of health inequalities, including lifestyle choices, housing and sex. This essay will argue that rather than one cause being more significant than the others the more of these causes an individual experiences, the higher their chance of facing health inequalities. Sx2

One cause of health inequality is due to the individual lifestyle choices that some people make, including alcohol misuse. Alcohol misuse can lead to health inequality's as persistent alcohol misuse increases your risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, various cancers, pancreatitis and damage to the brain. An example of how alcohol misuse can cause health inequalities is that the most deprived 20% in Scotland are five times more likely to die due to alcohol misuse than those living in least deprived 20%. This can be explained by multiple deprivation. Experiencing two or more of the factors creates an even greater risk to life. This shows that lifestyle choices are a cause of health inequality. However 29% of the least deprived area are hazardous / harmful drinkers compared to only 20% of the most deprived areas are hazardous/harmful. Yet the least deprived are 5 times more likely to die due to alcohol misuse. This suggests that this caused by multiple deprivation. Furthermore, inequality in problematic drug use problematic drug se causes health inequalities. Someone who is experiencing deprivation is more likely to experience problematic drug use as it is less likely that a person will overcome their drug problem because they have less access to key protective factors that prevent problem drug use as well being exposed to additional risk factors and multiple deprivation.an example of inequality in problematic drug use can cause health inequalities as people in the most deprived areas of Scotland is that according to research by the Uk parliament, the single biggest driver of problem drug use is poverty and deprivation. NHS health Scotland reported that use disorders are 17 times more prevalent in Scotland's most deprived areas, compared with the least deprived. This shows that inequality in problematic drug use can cause health inequalities as people in the most deprived areas of Scotland are more likely to die from drug misuse compared to people in the least deprived areas.

Another cause of health inequality is poor housing. Housing qualities has a significant influence on health. Poor housing can include a wide range of potential flaws such as lacking sufficient installation, being damp or mouldy and lacking suitable places to dry clothes. This can pose a health risk to those prone to asthma, hay fever and other allergies. An example impact of living in poor housing on peoples health is that in march 2024, Thompson solicitors said it was launching action on behalf of 41 clients. It says their illness have been worsened by damp conditions in social housing provide by 13 housing associations and local authorities in Scotland. This shows inequalities in poor housing is a cause of health inequalities as poor housing may having mould or damp which could cause illness. This is more of a problem for those in the most deprived sections of society as those who live in social housing as they are unable to fix the problem and have to rely on associations or authorities. Furthermore, housing affordability has an impact on health. Housing affordability relates to the financial pressure caused by housing costs. difficulty paying the rent or mortgage can cause stress effecting our mental health spending a high proportion of our income on housing leaves less for other essentials that effect health such as food and social participation. An example of housing affordability on mental health is that the average score for adults on the wembs was 47 in 2022. The worst mental wellbeing was reported from the most deprived 20% of Scotland with 44.7 which those in most affluent areas were reported an average of 48.3. this shows that housing affordability is a cause of health inequalities as struggling to pay rent or mortgage can cause stress and will mean they have a lack of disposable income. 26% of households the lowest income spent more than a third of their income on housing costs in 2019/20 compared to only 3% of highest income households. This means they wont have as much money to spend on food and social participation.

Another cause of health inequalities is sex. Men are more likely to experience poor outcomes for a verity of conditions such as some cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Mens health in the uk is unnecessary and unacceptably poor. This is because men are 32% less likely than women to go to the doctor. An example of worse health outcomes for men compared to women is that an average in the uk women live almost 4 years longer than men. Men are twice as likely as women to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, liver disease and accidents. This shows that sex is a cause of health inequalities as they are more likely to die younger although life expectancy is lower on average in poorer area ,derivation has a greater impact on men. Male life expectancy is 4.3 years shorter than female life expectancy compared to 3.3 years in the least deprived. Furthermore, men are more likely to die by suicide. Despite being 75% of suicides, men make up just 34% of those referred to NHS talking therapists. Surveys show as many as 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health, despite over three quarters suffering form common symptoms like anxiety ,stress or depression. An example of the difference in death by sucicide for men compared to a women is that the male suicide rate is 15 deaths per 100,000 compared to the woman’s which is 5  suicides per 100,000 which is a third of Mens. This shows that sex is a cause of health inequalities as men are more likely to die from suicide. Alcohol and depression are inextricably linked. People will often drink excessively in order to self medicate, despite feeling more relaxed in short term but over time will make symptoms worse. CDC reports that 7% of men have an alcohol use disorder compared to 4% of women.