Health as a Social Construct Learn About Recognises the interrelationship of determinants Challenges the notion that health is solely an individual’s responsibility Learn To Investigate how the determinants of health explain why some individuals and groups have better or worse health than others

Health as a Social Construct - Overview Health as a social construct is one of the harder concepts to understand Requires you to identify that health is not a result of individual choices only, but is actually constructed by society. Therefore responsibility for health falls upon not just the individual, but society as a whole Recognises the interrelationship of the determinants of health and recognises that many of the determinants are either out of the individuals control or difficult to change

Recognises the interrelationship of determinants

Recognises the interrelationship of determinants It is important to understand exactly how these determinants interact with each other and affect one another. This then has a cumulative affect on the individual as the determinants interact and relate to one another. Environmental Factors For example, your geographical location can limit or increase your employment and educational options. It can also improve your access to health services, affect your peer group and media exposure.

Recognises the interrelationship of determinants Socioeconomic Factors Your level of education will impact your employment options and can limit or increase you options for geographic location as you need to be able to afford where you live. Your education will also affect your knowledge and skill levels for accessing and understanding health and health services. Can determine your peer groups, as you may or may not be able to afford to do the activities to socialise. Your education can affect your income and your access to health services and technology, especially when considering elective surgery or ancillary care (non-medical care, e.g. physiotherapy, dental care etc).

Recognises the interrelationship of determinants Sociocultural Factors Your family will at various stages in your life affect your peer group, income, geographic location, genetics, attitude towards health, religion, access to technology or health services and more. Individual Factors Your level of knowledge and skill will greatly impact your choice of employment and can affect your level of education This in turn can impact on geographic location and ability to access health care services etc

Challenges the notion that health is solely an individual’s responsibility Because health is affected by your context, other people, society, culture, environment, education, income and much more, it must be viewed as something for which society has some responsibility. The fact that some health determinants are non-modifiable means that our health is affected by things beyond our control. There are a number of determinants that are difficult to change and some that cannot be changed Eg - a young child does not have control over what they eat, where they live, they access to health services and technology, their family income, their level of education, and much more. We should seek to change things within our control in order to improve our health. We should lower our risk behaviours and increase our protective behaviours

Challenges the notion that health is solely an individual’s responsibility cont… Eating well and exercising isn’t enough to ensure good health. Good health is expensive, it requires money to achieve: High levels of education Supporting social networks Access to health services

How the determinants of health explain why some individuals and groups have better or worse health than others In the HSC – you will learn about particular groups who experience health inequities (ATSI, low SES, rural and remote, disabilities, elderly etc) We will look at how those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states: In Australia, people who are more socioeconomically advantaged-that is, they are better educated, have better jobs and more money-are often healthier than those who are not. For example, when compared across socioeconomic groups, both deaths and hospitalisations due to cardiovascular disease are higher for those in the lowest (worse-off ) socioeconomic group (AIHW 2011c). This is often referred to as the socioeconomic gradient of health.

How the determinants of health explain why some individuals and groups have better or worse health than others cont… An individual’s level of education directly impacts their employment options and level of income. Lower income means: Your choice of environment to live is limited (can’t afford to live at the beach or in the city) Cannot afford own house - could be living in commission housing – not ideal conditions Location can affect you access to health services Impact on your access to health services not covered by Medicare – dental etc Lower education means lower health literacy Poorer health choices High risk behaviours, lower protective behaviours Peer and community groups with higher rates of violence, alcohol abuse and theft – due to living in housing commission or low rent areas