NRS81001 Nursing in the Australian Context Assessment 2022

Assessment 3
NRS81001 Nursing in the Australian Context
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Introduction
The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) for any population include the
circumstances under which they live. For example, the social status and
income, social support networks, literacy and education, and working
conditions and employment. The SDOH for indigenous communities involve
poor education, poor income and social status, shortages of equal access to
basic healthcare facilities, low level of healthcare infrastructure like
sanitation, healthy food, safe drinking water and healthy housing etc. These
determinants influence the health of indigenous people in adverse manner.
Poor education is associated with poor health and influence the ability to
utilize health information. Poor income lowers the accessibility to medicines
and healthcare services. Poverty results into overcrowded housing which
increases the risk of several communicable diseases. The poor maternal and
new born diet relates to development of chronic diseases in later life.
Due to poverty they have lower control of their lives which gives rise to
unhealthy stress, adversely affecting the circulatory system, psychological
system and immune system. Therefore, we can say, the SDOH for
indigenous communities are below basic standards which are largely
responsible for the different types of diseases in these communities as
listed in National Health Priority Areas.
The report analyses the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Australia,
especially related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)
Communities.
Obesity- A National Health Priority Area
Obesity or high BMI is second major contributor to the total burden of
diseases in Australia. It is one of the National Health Priority Areas
Experienced by ATSI Communities. It contributes to around 16% of the
healthcare gap between the Indigenous communities and the other
Australians (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners [RACGP],
2019). The obesity and weight gain may be the outcome of physical
inactivity, poor physical and mental health, impaired personal care and
insomnia. Obesity develops metabolic and hormonal changes in the body
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and is related to high risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
osteoarthritis and certain type of cancers.
Insufficient intake of daily fruits and vegetables, smoking, alcohol
consumption also play important role in elevating the BMI. The health status
of earlier illness, functional limitation, disability and psychological distress
also contributes to Obesity. The psychological risk factors contributing to
obesity are Food insecurity (17.7%), high psychological distress (22.6%),
extreme psychological distress (11.3%), financial stress (19.4%), social
distrust (27.3%), and not think themself as member of society (47.6%)
(Valery, Ibiebele, Harris et al, 2012). The aboriginal people are more likely
to have low income than the non indigenous people. They face higher level
of psychological risk factors. They are more likely to have lived in their
neighbourhood for a time period less than a year, have lower trust level
(civic or social). Also they find it difficult to take help of their neighbours or
friends. They also find it difficult to access the community services,
resources or support groups. It shows the Aboriginal communities are more
socioeconomically disadvantaged than the Non Aboriginal population.
According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2018), the
Indigenous Australian adults having lowest socioeconomic status were 34%
obese while the adults from highest socioeconomic standards were 22%
obese.The people from highest socioeconomic status mostly have normal
body weight (41%) while the adults from lowest socio economic status have
the least chances for the same (32%) (Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare [AIHW], 2018).Low income leads to reduced ability to buy healthy
foods, to indulge in physical activities or sports, to afford quality living
circumstances and access healthcare services. Lower standard of education
make the people at high risk of unemployment, restricts the job options for
them and also leads to lower health awareness. The unemployed youth are
at high risk of substance use and unable to afford a healthy balanced diet.
According to geographical variation and remoteness of area, the indigenous
people living in distant remote areas are more severely obese than the
people living in cities (Health Infonet, 2019). Additionally the poor nutrition
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