Week 2

Distinction Between Social Determinants and Structural Drivers

• Social Determinants: Factors explaining differences in health outcomes among communities.

  • Example: Lower health literacy, lesser educational attainment.

• Structural Drivers: Explore reasons behind social determinants.

  • Example: Access issues leading to lower educational attainment.

  • Highlighting deep-seated issues that result in sociocultural and socioeconomic disparities.

Review of Common Social Determinants

• A necessity to revisit crucial social determinants influencing health:

  • Culture:

  • Can be both a protective and risk factor depending on societal perception.

  • Positive cultural values can enhance community support and health outcomes.

  • Gender:

  • Notion of gendered violence and inequity in workplace settings.

  • Impact of inequality on healthcare outcomes for men and women.

  • Education:

  • Higher educational attainment correlates with better health literacy and outcomes.

  • Linked to employment opportunities and socioeconomic stability.

  • Access:

  • Definition: Both physical and systemic barriers limit access to healthcare.

  • Example: Public transport availability affects access to healthcare services.

Employment and Economic Factors

• Employment type affects health outcomes:

  • Safer jobs typically associate with better health.

  • Types of profession can lead to varying health risks.

• Economic factors influencing life quality:

  • Examples of physical working conditions, income stability, and barriers to healthcare.

Environmental Influences

• Acknowledgment of the physical environment as a health determinant:

  • Nature of housing, urban planning, and neighborhood safety.

  • Impact of high crime rates and lack of recreational facilities on health.

Political Climate

• Political decisions and climate directly influence health outcomes:

  • Policies affect every aspect of healthcare access and social determinants.

  • Affects community wellbeing based on legislative priorities.

Social Norms and Behavioral Influences

• Social Norms:

  • Defines acceptable behaviors within family and community settings.

  • Examples: Smoking and seatbelt usage reflecting societal acceptance.

Globalization

• How global connectivity affects the distribution of health information and resources.

Intersectionality

• Explanation of how multiple social determinants intersect and affect individuals uniquely.

Historical Context of Social Determinants

• Mention of the World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of Health:

  • Key points:

  • Improve daily living standards universally.

  • Address inequitable distribution of resources.

  • Better measurement of social determinants based on health impacts.

Recognition and Response to Social Determinants

• Increased acknowledgment of socially patterned disease:

  • Wealth correlates with access to health and lower rates of preventable diseases.

  • Challenges with achieving equitable health outcomes.

Data and Case Studies

• Visual data representation from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:

  • Correlation between education level and life expectancy:

  • Detailed statistics based on educational attainment for men and women.

Overcrowded Housing and Indigenous Populations

• Examination of overcrowding among Indigenous Australians:

  • Health implications of overcrowded living conditions.

• Investigation into structural drivers behind housing issues:

  • Economic factors, housing market fluctuations, employment opportunities.

Stratification of Society

• Concept of stratification - hierarchical organization based on wealth, resources, and access.

Upstream vs Midstream vs Downstream Approaches

• Upstream: Tackling root causes of issues through systemic change.

• Midstream: Addressing social needs through access improvement.

• Downstream: Focus on individual medical care and immediate treatment needs.

Structural Factors in Health

• Distinction of structural factors: political, economic, and institutional arrangements that govern resource distribution.

• Recognition of inherent biases and the necessity of understanding structural impacts on health inequality.