Socioeconomic Position and Health

Understanding Socioeconomic Position (SEP)

  • Definition of SEP: Social and economic factors that influence individuals' or groups' standings in society.
    • Often equated with terms like socioeconomic status, social class, and social stratification, each with different interpretations.

The Importance of Measuring SEP

  • Purpose of Measuring SEP:
    • Quantifies levels of inequality within/between societies.
    • Aids in understanding relationships between health and social variables (age, sex, ethnicity).
    • Provides insights into health outcomes and life chances, historically linked to social group status.

Indicators of SEP for Individuals

  • Key Measures for Individuals:
    • Education: Influencing knowledge and employment opportunities.
    • Income: Access to material goods and impacts on lifestyle.
    • Occupation: Related to social status and power.
    • Housing and Assets: Reflect economic stability.

Measuring SEP for Populations

  • Population-Level Measures:
    • Area Measures: Deprivation, access to services.
    • Population Statistics: Income inequality, literacy rates, GDP per capita.

Impact of SEP on Health

  • Evidence of SEP-Health Relationship:
    • Individuals with lower education levels report poorer health.
    • Data shows connections between smoking prevalence and socioeconomic indices in NZ.

The Dahlgren and Whitehead Model

  • Understanding Health and SEP:
    • Individual Lifestyle Factors: Choices affected by education, income, and occupation.
    • Social and Community Influences: Parents' SEP influences children's health and opportunities.
    • Living and Working Conditions: Area-based measures, e.g., NZ Index of Deprivation.

Measuring Area-Level Deprivation

  • Definition: Observable disadvantages compared to local or national standards.
  • Focus: Material deprivation—what residents lack compared to societal norms.

NEw Zealand's Socioeconomic Index (NZDep)

  • Structure of NZDep:
    • Divides census areas into deciles or quintiles based on deprivation levels.
    • Illustrates disparities in neighborhood deprivation across regions.

Generation and Health

  • Health Impacts across Generations:
    • Higher rates of forgone healthcare linked to deprivation.
    • Differences in health outcomes by migrant generation status.

Global Influences on SEP and Health

  • Global Conditions:
    • Income inequality, GDP, literacy rates are significant determinants.
    • Preston Curve: Shows life expectancy disparities based on income levels.

Understanding the Causes of the Causes

  • Framework for Analyzing Health Equity:
    • Emphasizes the need to ask "Why?" to uncover root causes behind health disparities.
    • Analyzes trends such as COVID-19 effects within socioeconomic contexts, highlighting vulnerable groups and access to healthcare.