In this unit, we reviewed the causes of inequality in health and health outcomes

Question

In this unit, we reviewed the causes of inequality in health and health outcomes both between and within countries. Drawing on your readings, research a country of your choice. List 2-3 instances of health inequalities (e.g. mortality rates by sex/gender, morbidity rates by educational attainment, access to health care by ethnicity, etc.), and use your readings to break them down, and understand the root causes of these inequalities.

References

Steinbach, R., & Eni-Olotu, M. (2016). Inequalities in health (e.g. by region, ethnicity, soci-economic position or gender) and in access to health care, including their causes. Equality, Equity and Policy. Access at: http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/medical-sociology-policy-economics/4c-equality-equity-policy/inequalities-distribution

Crinson, I., & Martino, L. (2017). Section 10: The role of social, cultural, psychological and family relationship factors in the aetiology of disease and illness. In Concepts of Health, Wellbeing and Illness, and the Aetiology of Illness. Accessed at: https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/medical-sociology-policy-economics/4a-concepts-health-illness/section7/activity4/answers

WHO (2015). Fact File on Health Inequities: World Conference on the Social Determinants of Health. Accessed at: http://www.who.int/sdhconference/background/news/facts/en/

Eikemo, T. A., Huisman, M., Bambra, C., & Kunst, A. E. (2008). Health inequalities according to educational level in different welfare regimes: A comparison of 23 European countries. Sociology of Health & Illness, 30(4), 565-582. Accessed at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2007.01073.x/full or to download here.

Explanation / Answer

Health inequality is most common in the U.S population. Within the country, there is the largest difference in the health outcome due to health inequality. Already there are increased health care issues in the U.S which are further challengeable by the health care inequalities.

When we see the mortality rate based on age and sex, there is a significant difference between the males and females in the age group of 50-54 years. According to 2015 statistics, the mortality rate of males in the age group of 50-54 years is 608.7 whereas the female mortality rate is 381.5 in that particular age group. When taken as racial and ethnicity, black Americans have a high mortality rate due to economic status, education, and occupation. Hispanians are at lower risk for heart disease and cancer. The socioeconomic status and environmental condition increase the mortality risk of black men.

Adults with higher education show lowest suicidal rates comparing to non-educational adults. The increased life expectancy is documented on highly educated Americans. The increased life expectancy is seen more on blacks than whites due to inequalities. Specific mortality rates are seen across the geographical area. Southern regions of U.S shows a higher mortality rate. A chronic respiratory disease is more common in Virginia and Kentucky. Violence and self-harm are seen in southwestern countries.

Root cause Analysis:

The first main cause is the significant difference in the distribution of power based on the age, sex, race, ethnicity. The differences in the mechanisms between the institutions and the organizations. The differences in the allocation of resources within the country. Structural inequality and unequal social determinants of health are also one of the cause. Social, political, and environmental conditions also lead to health inequalities. Moreover, the health care system in the U.S and the insurance market brings the income-based health care disparities.

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