Dimension of Diversity: Age and Health Inequalities

DIMENSION OF
DIVERSITY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Age related health inequalities.....................................................................................................3
Impact of health inequalities on well being.................................................................................4
Legislations and policies related to health & social care (H&S).................................................4
Response of health care practitioners to promote inclusive practices.........................................5
Approaches to promote equality and to prevent inequalities.......................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Diversity is defined as the commonality and differences among group of people which can
be observed at institutional, structural or individual level and can have significant impact upon
entire group (Tarzia, Fetherstonhaugh and Bauer, 2012). For ensuring the wellbeing of all
individuals it is required that dimensions of diversity are well understood and discriminatory
areas can be legally protected and addressed. Age has been one of the most important dimension
of diversity which is often used by practitioners and community to discriminate and for unfair
practices. According to Draper and Fenton, (2014) two third of people with chronic illness or
disability belongs to age group of above 55 years. It signifies that age factor brings great
diversity to health and social wellbeing of individuals.
Thus it is vital that age induced inequalities must be identified so that suitable care practices
and legislations can be adopted to overcome the impact of inequality on community or groups.
The report will discuss the age factor as dimension of diversity and its impact on health
inequalities within UK. It will also evaluate the role played by health practitioners in addressing
age inequalities and to encourage inclusive health care practices so that social, physical,
emotional and mental wellbeing of individuals can be maintained irrespective of age diversity.
MAIN BODY
Age related health inequalities
Ageing can be considered as one of prominent diversity dimension which keeps on
widening the inequality gap. As per the reports presented by Draper and Fenton, (2014) people
above 85 years of age are more vulnerable to health risk factors as well as socio economic
influences. There is great difference in terms of recovery from injury or illness, mental illness
and social challenges among young and older population (Abbey and et.al., 2006). In the same
paper author also suggested that the extent of happiness or emotional stability is higher in middle
age but with increasing age it begins to reduce. It enhances the higher vulnerability of mental
disorders and social exclusion in old age.
Though equality act and other legislations prohibits age based discrimination but still due
to lack of inclusion it is very complicated for elderlies to manage their finances and to have equal
inclusion in society due to limited mobility or support services. Thus as an individual grows
there are higher vulnerabilities of chronic conditions and social challenges (Griffiths and et.al.,
2014). As compare to children or young people old people also take more time to recover from
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