The Impact of Social Economic Status on Health - Essay Example

Socioeconomic status and health of single parent family types in Australia [Name] [Professor Name] [Course] [Date] Socioeconomic status and health of single parent family types in Australia Introduction Social economic status (SES) is accepted as an indicator of employment statues, education and most importantly income. Studies have established a correction between health outcomes and the socioeconomic status (Turrel et al 1999). Based on findings by Turrel et al (1999), the correlation is due to the environments people live in that affect their health, the access to healthcare services and the negating or health promoting behaviours that people are engaged in. This means that the concept of an individual’s social and economic status is significant in the delivery of primary healthcare services to Australian families (Katterl 2011). A growing body of researches suggest that Australian family structure is experiencing rapid change. The diversity of family structures can be defined by the types of parents’ relationships to the children, the marital statuses of parents, the sexual orientation of parent and the number of parents in a household (Wise 2012). Of particular concern is the growth of single-parent families in the past three decades (Qu 2013; Wise 2012). Significance of SES and health of single parent families Essentially, a single-parent family refers to a family structure consisting of a lone parent, with at least one child, despite the age, who is also a resident in the household. The parent may not have an identified spouse. In defining a single-parent, Qu (2013) gives an example of a 25-year old parent who has a dependent child or a 50 year old child with an 80-year old living parent. Based on the 2001 Census data, around 4, 936,828 families existed in Australia. According to the data, nearly 2,321,165, or 47 percent, included couples with children, while 15.4 percent were single-parent families. Statistics from the 1997 ABS Family Characteristics Survey type indicate that 72 percent of the families with dependent children aged between 0 and 17 years were couple families, while 21 percent comprised single-parent families, the rest lived in step families (Wise 2012). Commentators such as McLanahan (2001) have pointed out that children in single-parent families undergo measurable harm, particularly when it comes to accessing quality healthcare services because of the wanting economic statuses of the single-parents (Glover 2011). Trends regarding the fraction of single-parent families show a dramatic growth over the past three decades, specifically in the number of women who are the designated parents for income support and childbearing. Of particular worry however are the health implications of the single-parent families due to socioeconomic status concerns (Vaus 2004). Regardless of the unprecedented economic growth in Australia, the nation faces a rising burden of health outcomes among the dependent children of the single-parent families. The rise in mental disorders and cases of obesity in the children are among the major concerns for policymakers, parents and families. Indeed, researchers have been successful in establishing a correlation between mental health and obesity in children and the characteristics of family structures and the socioeconomic status (Jianghong et al 2012). Critical analysis of the health implications of SES In Australia, the concept of socioeconomic status is a significant factor to consider in the delivery and receptiveness of primary health care (Katterl 2011). A study by Heck and Parker (2002), established a link between the low socioeconomic status and poor healthcare access. Health insurance coverage had served a special role in the study. According to the study, difficulty in accessing health insurance and Medicaid are an integral determinant of access to healthcare (Heck and Parker, 2002). Based on these findings, it can be established that socioeconomic status is a major influential risk factors for deprived health outcomes. Hughes and Simpson (1995) remarked that individuals with lower socioeconomic status suffer inexplicably from higher mortality rates due to disease prevalence caused by limited access to quality health care services. It is therefore significant to examine the SES of the single-parent families and their health outcomes. Single-parent families have generally been associated with low socioeconomic status (Currie and Stabile 2002). Among the conditions that have been associated with low economic status due to single-parentage include; infant and maternal mortality, suicide and homicide obesity, hypertension, heart diseases, mental illnesses and chronic bronchitis (Currie and Stabile 2002). Several theories have been suggested that attempt to explain the implications of health implications of socioeconomic status to the single-parents. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory (1979) can be applied to explain the link of single-parent’s work schedule with the general health and wellbeing of the parents (Harkonen 2007). More specifically, the bioecological conceives the idea that the development of children occurs within a close-knit setting, starting with development of a person, development of a microsystem and extended towards the child’s immediate social setting, neighbourhood and home (Bronfenbrenner, 2005). Therefore, four categories of resources are considered important for parenting, including human capital, income, time and psychological capital such as the quality of their relationship and the mental wellbeing of the parents. Based on this theory, Jianghong et al (2012), expressed that when single-parents seek for full-time employment or to work extra-hours to an additional income, it may negatively affect other realms of family resources such as reduced time to take care of the children, as well as the stress and family-associated with coping with family and full-time work. Equity in the delivery of healthcare services means that individuals can access or use the health services depending on the need for those services. It is however different from the quality of services accessible, where all people receive similar services despite their need. Generally, Australia fairs relatively well compared to other developed nations with regard to the equitable access to general practice services. Researches indicate that more socioeconomically deprived groups have a higher rate of using the health care services than individuals who are not socioeconomically deprived as the former group have poorer health status. In this case, since the single-parent families have generally been associated with this group, it is clear that they have higher rate of using the healthcare services (Friel 2009). Indeed, there is broad evidence showing that low-SES children from single-parent families are more likely to experience negative health shocks compared to high-SES children from single-parent families. For instance, Jianghong et al (2012) suggested that when it comes to single-parent families, children from poor families will most probably experience a wide range of chronic conditions compared to better-off children. Jianghong et al (2012) further cited to Medicine (1999) to demonstrate that children from low socioeconomic background are more vulnerable to nearly all kinds of accidental injuries compared to children from higher socioeconomic status. Based on the concept of ‘health worker effect,’ some theorists have observed that occupational status has an important effect on an individual’s health, since research has indicated that individuals who are employed have better health than those who are unemployed. This directly influences the outcome of health disparities on single-parent families. Indeed, it has been suggested that lifestyle, family structure and behaviour account for an estimated 80 percent of premature mortality, healthcare for 10 percent. Single-parent families with lower socioeconomic status will therefore most likely live in poorer communities that experience environmental pollution, poor health amenities and violence. These form major risk factors for infectious and chronic diseases. Policy/practice implications Since The Black Report was released in UK in 1980, there has been an increased global interest in the socioeconomic health inequalities (Turrel 1999). In Australia’s health care system, there is some level of tension between efficiency and equity. The extent to which either one is prioritised depends on the national policy. A number of health care policies comprise efficiency goals. Efforts to resolve socioeconomic health inequalities in Australia have been encouraged by a number of key national reports, such as the’ Health Targets and Implementation (Health for All) Committee (1993) Health for All Australians,’ and the “Better Health Commission (1987).’ Safety Net and Private health insurance rebate are the two major macro healthcare policies aimed at reducing socioeconomic health inequities. In the same manner, Medicare Safety Net policy, may maintain equity in access and use of primary healthcare services. The policy was introduced to offer additional financial relief for the needy. Other policies include; Parenting Payment policy that was passed in 2006 to offer income support to single-parents or guardians with the aim of helping with the cost of raising children. Parenting Payment has also been focused on raising the socioeconomic status of single-parents to raise the general health and wellbeing of the children brought up by single-parent families (Fester 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, a fundamental cause of health care disparities comprises the socioeconomic disparities. Generally, socioeconomic status has been determined by income, education, occupation, and in some cases family structures. Each of the aforementioned components offers distinct relationships to a range of health outcomes, and would in principle be addressed using different policies. With reference to family structures, a fundamental subject of concern is the single-parent families that have increased significantly in the past three decades. Of particular worry however are the health implications of the single-parent families due to socioeconomic status concerns. Indeed, there is broad evidence showing that low-SES children from single-parent families are more likely to experience negative health shocks compared to high-SES children from single-parent families. Among the conditions that have been associated with low economic status due to single-parentage include infant and maternal mortality, suicide and homicide obesity, hypertension, heart diseases, mental illnesses and chronic bronchitis. The government has set out policies to that can be applied to mitigate the health outcome caused by low socioeconomic status, such as of single-parent families. These include; Medicare Safety Net, private health insurance and Parenting Payment. References Adler, N & Newman, K 2002, “Socioeconomic Disparities In Health: Pathways And Policies,” Health Affairs, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp.62-76 Bronfenbrenner, U 1979, The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Bronfenbrenner, U. (ed.) (2005), Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Currie, J & Stabile, M 2002, Socioeconomic Status and Health: Why is the Relationship Stronger for Older Children?, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.princeton.edu/~jcurrie/publications/SES_and_Health.pdf Fester, C 2012, Anger brews over Gillard’s attacks on single mothers, Solodarity.net.au, viewed 22 Sept. 2013, http://www.solidarity.net.au/47/anger-brews-over-gillard%E2%80%99s-attacks-on-single-mothers/ Friel, S 2009, Health equity in Australia: A policy framework based on action on the social determinants of obesity, alcohol and tobacco, The Australian National Preventative Health Taskforce, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/0FBE203C1C547A82CA257529000231BF/$File/commpaper-hlth-equity-friel.pdf Glover, J 2011, Supporting public policy and action on the social determinants of health by providing evidence through Social Health Atlases of Australia, World Conference on Social Determinants of Health, Brazil October 2011, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.who.int/sdhconference/resources/draft_background_paper14_australia.pdf Harkonen, U 2007, The Bronfenbrenner ecological systems theory of human development, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://wanda.uef.fi/~uharkone/tuotoksia/Bronfenbrenner_in_%20English_07_sent.pdf Heck, K & Parker, J 2002, "Family Structure, Socioeconomic Status, and Access to Health Care for Children," Health Serv Res. 2002 February, Vol 37 No.1, pp171–184. Hughes, D & Simpson, L 1995, The Health-Related Effects of Socioeconomic Status, Journal Issue: Low Birth Weight, vol. 5 No. 1 Jianghong, L, Johnson, S, Han, W, Kendal, G, Strazdins, L & Dockery, A 2012, Parents’ nonstandard work and child wellbeing: A critical review of the existing literature, CLMR Discussion Paper Series 2012/02, viewed 22 Sept 2013, https://business.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/2012.02_NonStandardHours.pdf Heck, K & Parker, J 2002, "Family Structure, Socioeconomic Status, and Access to Health Care for Children," Health Serv Res., Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 171–184. McLanahan, S 2001, The Consequences of Single Motherhood, The American Prospect, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://prospect.org/article/consequences-single-motherhood Kickbusch I, Buckett K 2010, Implementing health in all policies, Adelaide: Government of South Australia. Turrel, G, Oldenburg, B, McGuffog, I & Dent, R 1999, Socioeconomic determinants of health: towards a national research program and a policy and intervention agenda, Queensland University of Technology: Canberra Vaus, D 2004, Diversity and change in Australian families, Australian Institute of Family Studies: Melbourne Wise, S 2003, Family structure, child outcomes and environmental mediators: an overview of the Development in Diverse Families Study, Australian Institute of Family Studies, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/RP30.html Qu, L 2013, Australian Households and Families, Australian Institute of Family Studies, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/factssheets/2013/familytrends/aft4/index.html Read More

These form major risk factors for infectious and chronic diseases. Policy/practice implications Since The Black Report was released in UK in 1980, there has been an increased global interest in the socioeconomic health inequalities (Turrel 1999). In Australia’s health care system, there is some level of tension between efficiency and equity. The extent to which either one is prioritised depends on the national policy. A number of health care policies comprise efficiency goals. Efforts to resolve socioeconomic health inequalities in Australia have been encouraged by a number of key national reports, such as the’ Health Targets and Implementation (Health for All) Committee (1993) Health for All Australians,’ and the “Better Health Commission (1987).

’ Safety Net and Private health insurance rebate are the two major macro healthcare policies aimed at reducing socioeconomic health inequities. In the same manner, Medicare Safety Net policy, may maintain equity in access and use of primary healthcare services. The policy was introduced to offer additional financial relief for the needy. Other policies include; Parenting Payment policy that was passed in 2006 to offer income support to single-parents or guardians with the aim of helping with the cost of raising children.

Parenting Payment has also been focused on raising the socioeconomic status of single-parents to raise the general health and wellbeing of the children brought up by single-parent families (Fester 2012). Conclusion In conclusion, a fundamental cause of health care disparities comprises the socioeconomic disparities. Generally, socioeconomic status has been determined by income, education, occupation, and in some cases family structures. Each of the aforementioned components offers distinct relationships to a range of health outcomes, and would in principle be addressed using different policies.

With reference to family structures, a fundamental subject of concern is the single-parent families that have increased significantly in the past three decades. Of particular worry however are the health implications of the single-parent families due to socioeconomic status concerns. Indeed, there is broad evidence showing that low-SES children from single-parent families are more likely to experience negative health shocks compared to high-SES children from single-parent families. Among the conditions that have been associated with low economic status due to single-parentage include infant and maternal mortality, suicide and homicide obesity, hypertension, heart diseases, mental illnesses and chronic bronchitis.

The government has set out policies to that can be applied to mitigate the health outcome caused by low socioeconomic status, such as of single-parent families. These include; Medicare Safety Net, private health insurance and Parenting Payment. References Adler, N & Newman, K 2002, “Socioeconomic Disparities In Health: Pathways And Policies,” Health Affairs, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp.62-76 Bronfenbrenner, U 1979, The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (ed.) (2005), Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. Currie, J & Stabile, M 2002, Socioeconomic Status and Health: Why is the Relationship Stronger for Older Children?, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.princeton.edu/~jcurrie/publications/SES_and_Health.pdf Fester, C 2012, Anger brews over Gillard’s attacks on single mothers, Solodarity.net.au, viewed 22 Sept. 2013, http://www.solidarity.net.

au/47/anger-brews-over-gillard%E2%80%99s-attacks-on-single-mothers/ Friel, S 2009, Health equity in Australia: A policy framework based on action on the social determinants of obesity, alcohol and tobacco, The Australian National Preventative Health Taskforce, viewed 22 Sept 2013, http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.

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