Essay Sample on Health Inequalities in Australia: Unjust Differences in Health

Introduction

Health inequalities are unjust differences in the health of specific and general population groups. These differences are contrary to the values of social justice since they cannot be avoided. That means health inequalities does not occur by chance or a particular random selection (Zhao & Lee, 2013). The following paper is an examination of the existing health inequalities in a specific population group in Australia. The existing health inequalities in Australia ensures that the right of people to attain the highest possible standard of mental and physical health cannot be enjoyed with the same intensity across the country's population groups. The indigenous people of the Northern Territory of Australia (NT) is the specific population group where the examination of health inequality is considered. The indigenous Australians are chosen due to their location and challenges experienced to achieve better health status since they are marginalized. The particular health condition experienced by indigenous Australians is mental health problems (healthdirect, 2018). Some of the identified health inequalities are with regards to; socioeconomic status (educational level, gender-based violence, environmental factors, and indigenous health outcomes).

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Determinants Contributing to Health Inequality

Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic status is the social and economic position of an individual in society. The socioeconomic status is determined by the income, occupation, and education of an individual. Therefore, the socioeconomic health inequalities refer to the unjust differences between the high and low socioeconomic classes of individuals. Thus, the poor people in society tend to have high morbidity rates than the rich. Consequently, the mortality rate is also high among the low socioeconomic class of the population when compared to rich individuals. That is because poverty is considered a determinant for poor mental health. Also, it is evidenced that continued depression among a population group exacerbates their low socioeconomic status. Lack of proper healthcare delivery leads to the dilapidation of their health and possible eventual loss of life. Increased poverty is directly proportional to morbidity; hence, the mortality rate is high among population groups having low socioeconomic status.

The level of education is among the major determinant of the health status of an individual in later life, as knowledge improves ones mental capability. Moreover, education impacts various aspects of socioeconomic status associated with health improvement. The healthy status of lower-educated population group deteriorates at a higher rate than the higher-educated population groups (Oshio, 2018). A low level of education causes disadvantages, in particular through income. Consequently, leading to reduced access to foods that promote health, hence reduced chances of living better lives. Moreover, lowly educated individuals are more likely to get associated with behavior and unhealthy lifestyle. These unhealthy behaviors include; smoking and drinking that deteriorates health. Also, social participation is considered a factor when associating education and health. Social participation in health activities varies with regards to the education level attained by a population group. Low-educated individuals have a higher risk of failure based on engaging in social participation. Hence, such group of individuals misses out of the important health considerations, which in turn impacts their health status.

GBV is a significant issue with regards to both human rights and health equality. GBV issue covers a broad range of abuse and violence primarily but not limited against women by men. Some of the GBV practices include; sexual assault, domestic abuse, and harassment. The Northern Territory of Australia experiences a series of sexual violence against at an alarming rate (NHS Scotland, 2019). With that regards, the victims suffer from depression and mental trauma. Efforts have been put in place to emancipate the community on the need to embrace the protection of women rights. But until the proper mechanisms are significantly adopted in managing sexual abuse, the women and children continue to suffer from their health deteriorating because of possible contraction of sexually transmitted infections. The society gives women unequal position as men are considered superpower and advantaged with the decision making and economic power. Thus, the emotional, psychological, and physical consequences of GBV has a detrimental impact on the health of a gender-abuse group of population (Nothern Territory Government, 2019). Such a population group is associated with increased morbidity rates as they have a difficult time to acquire a healthy lifestyle. The risk factors to poor health are strong to this victimized population group than the rest.

The Northern Australian Territorians are suffering from the increase of killer wildlife in their jurisdiction (Donnelly, 2015). Vast rivers in this territory have deadly reptiles such as snakes and crocodiles; in essence, the average number of crocodiles are five per square kilometer. Both visitors and Territorians are threatened to navigate these areas. Moreover, there was a presentation of deadly toads into the territory to control cane eating beetles. However, these deadly frogs are presenting health hazards to the residents. In such an environment, residents are faced with factors which lead to deterioration of health and possible death of the victims. That is because the venom from the deadly toad alters the nervous system, hence the general cognition of the people is damaged. The territory is also characterized by dry seasons which ensures the area does not have access to water in a specific time of the year. Water is essential in the promotion of health; hence, its unavailability means morbidity rates increase culmination in mortality in some instances.

The Northern Territory is located in central and northern Australia, having the lowest population among the federal territories and states. The population represents 1% of total Australia. The group of people located in the Northern Territory is in very remote areas which the indigenous group is representing 70% of the population here. The indigenous group experiences poor health conditions when compared to the non-indigenous population. These remote areas are characterized by poverty; hence, this is a determinant factor of health inequality at the Northern Territory. The remoteness of the areas inhabited by an indigenous group of people ensures they are not supplied with adequate mental healthcare services. Moreover, the region is associated with harsh conditions which increase the morbidity rate. Also, since the population group is located in poor areas, the socioeconomic status plays a role in determining their health status.

Conclusion

The proper knowledge of health inequality is significant to enable management of disparities in healthcare delivery among the population. Social circumstances which are not within an individual's control determine these unjust differences. Therefore, socially structured circumstances are what limit and disadvantaged people the chance to live healthier and longer lives. The problem of mental health is affecting the indigenous group of Australians due to socioeconomic status, which is the primary determinant of health inequality in the region. The range of determinants associated with indigenous population group mental health problem includes; socioeconomic status: educational level, gender-based violence, environmental factors, and indigenous health outcomes, as they have a bearing in promoting healthy mental status.

References

Donnelly, A. (2015). Australia's 'wild' Northern Territory set to become state. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-34013268

healthdirect. (2018). Indigenous health. Retrieved 23 September 2019, from https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/indigenous-health

NHS Scotland. (2019). Overview of gender-based violence. Retrieved 23 September 2019, from http://www.healthscotland.scot/health-topics/gender-based-violence/gender-based-violence-overview/overview-of-gender-based-violence

Northern Territory Government. (2019). Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Framework Discussion Paper. Retrieved 23 September 2019, from https://haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/preventing_and_responding_to_sexual_violence

Oshio, T. (2018). Widening disparities in health between educational levels and their determinants in later life: evidence from a nine-year cohort study. Retrieved 23 September 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5824535/

Zhao, Y., & Lee, A. (2013). Health inequity in the Northern Territory, Australia. Retrieved 23 September 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847185/