Explaining health inequalities in Australia: the contribution of income, wealth and employment

Flavel, Joanne; McKee, Martin; Tesfay, Fisaha Haile; Musolino, Connie; Freeman, Toby; Eyk, Helen van; Baum, Fran

doi:10.1071/py21285

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(13 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Evidence shows that within countries and across the whole population, the lower a person’s socioeconomic position the worse their overall health, known as the social gradient in health [ 5 ]. Over recent decades, there has been a widening of health inequities between the most and least disadvantaged, resulting in a steepening of the social gradient in Australia [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities: perspectives from Australian local government stakeholders

Schultz

Zorbas

Peeters

et al. 2023

Int J Equity Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background With their close connection to community and increasing preventive health remit, local governments are well positioned to implement policies and programs to address health inequities. Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence of equity-focused policy action in this sector. We aimed to understand how local government representatives approach equity in the development and implementation of health and wellbeing policies and programs, and to identify potential enablers for strengthening an equity focus. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews (June 2022-January 2023) with 29 health directorate representatives from 21 local governments in Victoria, Australia. Representatives were recruited from urban, regional and rural local government areas, with varying levels of socioeconomic position. Data was analysed inductively using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, informed by social determinants of health theory and a public policy decision making framework. Results Local governments approach health equity in different ways including focusing on priority populations, disadvantaged geographic areas, or by targeting the upstream determinants of health, such as housing and employment. Enabling factors for more equity-oriented local government policy action included those internal to local governments: (i) having a clear conceptualisation of equity, (ii) fostering a strong equity-centric culture, and (iii) developing organisational-wide competency in health equity. External factors related to key stakeholder groups that support and/or influence local governments included: (iv) strong support from community, (v) state government leadership and legislation, and (vi) supportive local partners, networks and NGO’s. Conclusions Local governments have a responsibility to implement policies and programs that improve health and reduce health inequities. Local government’s capacity to leverage resources, structures, processes and relationships, internally and across sectors and community, will be key to strengthening equity-oriented local government health policies and programs.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Governments have a fundamental responsibility to protect human rights and have considerable influence on political, economic, and social systems that drive health inequities [ 6 , 10 ]. Consequently, government policy is key to addressing health inequities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities: perspectives from Australian local government stakeholders

Schultz

Zorbas

Peeters

et al. 2023

Int J Equity Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These non‐medical factors include location, housing, employment, income, health care and social capital 4 . These determinants exist on a social gradient, whereby those living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities with structural inequities such as poverty, unemployment or low educational attainment are at greater risk of adverse health outcomes 5 . Applying the lens of intersectionality highlights how social determinants impact health inequalities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 These determinants exist on a social gradient, whereby those living in regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities with structural inequities such as poverty, unemployment or low educational attainment are at greater risk of adverse health outcomes. 5 Applying the lens of intersectionality highlights how social determinants impact health inequalities. For instance, Indigenous children living in RRR areas are prone to lower socioeconomic status and poor standards of housing, both of which are linked to adverse mental health issues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

School‐based multidisciplinary student‐led clinics in health and Australian accreditation standards: A scoping review

Maple,

O'Neill,

Gartshore

et al. 2023

Australian J Rural Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionStudent‐led clinics can provide health services to marginalised groups where service offerings are sparse or difficult to access, such as rural areas. Offering these services to children and young people can promote health and well‐being by addressing the individual challenges and the social determinants of health. There is uncertainty, however, as to whether student‐led clinics can meet Australian accreditation standards for health professionals completing degree programs.ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the capacity for health student placements in school‐based student‐led clinics to meet accreditation standards.DesignA systematic scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the PRISMA‐ScR statement.SettingSeveral databases were examined, including Ebsco (Academic Source and CINAHL), ProQuest (PsycINFO, ERIC) and grey literature sources along with a desktop review of accreditation standards across seven health disciplines. Two independent reviewers screened eligible studies.FindingsThe search retrieved 1037 records with 65 full‐text papers assessed for eligibility. Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria. Based on the evidence, both nursing and exercise and sports science accreditation standards were best suited to student‐led clinics.DiscussionAlthough broad categories of work‐integrated learning activities were applied, it appears feasible to expect accreditation standards for health disciplines at an Australian university to be a good fit for health student‐led school‐based clinics.ConclusionIncreasing health student placement opportunities within student‐led clinics can improve the health and well‐being of children and young people in regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas of Australia who may otherwise have limited access to allied health services.

show abstract

“…The health systems in Asia-Pacific countries have limited capacities and are mainly driven by household out-of-pocket expenditure, which gives rise to more challenges when a family has a child with disabilities, with the exception of some regions in the Australian continent (The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific UN, 2017). Recent literature clearly identifies the gaps and health inequalities even within the Australian continent, which may influence the service provision and access for children with NDDs (Flavel et al, 2022). Asia-Pacific region is home to two thirds of the world's population, and a larger proportion of children with disabilities also reside in the LMICs in this region (Vikram et al, 2021).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth services for children with neuro‐developmental disabilities in the Asia‐Pacific region: A systematic review

Devagiri,

Ariyasena,

Siriwardhana

et al. 2023

Child

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundIn recent years telehealth became a popular and a rational health service delivery approach, especially amidst multiple challenges posed while providing health care interventions during the COVID‐19 pandemic.AimWe synthesized available evidence on telehealth for managing children with NDDs in the Asia‐Pacific region with the aim of identifying successful methods.MethodologyWe systematically reviewed six electronic databases: MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PsychInfo, Web of Science, and (CINAHL plus) using the keywords and database‐specific subject headings from their inception to 25th August 2021. Review findings were synthesized narratively, and harvest plots were used to demonstrate the effect of interventions. The protocol and reporting the findings of this review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PROSPERO registration: CRD 340690.ResultsWe harvested 30,823 records; 17,563 duplicates were removed, and 196 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility. 16 studies with multiple research designs were included in the review. Eight were from the Pacific region and eight represented Asia. The interventions targeted families and children with a variety of NDDs (autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy etc.) via telehealth. Telehealth packages consisted of direct and indirect methods of synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid approaches. All studies used parent‐led intervention strategies. Telehealth reported a positive effect in 7/16 studies while five showed a neutral effect.ConclusionsAccording to published evidence telehealth for children with NDDs is an evolving, evidence‐based service facilitation modality in the Asia‐Pacific region, with only a few published randomized controlled trials. The systematic review shows promising telehealth practices emerging across the region despite the diversity in NDDs studied.

show abstract

Explaining health inequalities in Australia: the contribution of income, wealth and employment

Abstract: For full list of author affiliations and declarations see end of paper Background. Studies show widespread widening of socioeconomic and health inequalities. Comprehensive primary health care has a focus on equity and to enact this requires more data

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities: perspectives from Australian local government stakeholders

Strengthening local government policies to address health inequities: perspectives from Australian local government stakeholders

School‐based multidisciplinary student‐led clinics in health and Australian accreditation standards: A scoping review

Telehealth services for children with neuro‐developmental disabilities in the Asia‐Pacific region: A systematic review

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About