Health Inequities: Examining Global Health Disparities and Solutions

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of health inequities, examining the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes across different social and economic groups. It explores the influence of environmental factors, such as living conditions near waste disposal sites, on health outcomes, highlighting the increased risk of infectious diseases for those in informal settlements. The essay also investigates the role of cultural differences in healthcare seeking behaviors, using New Zealand as a case study, and the impact of economic disparities on access to health services, including the challenges faced by homeless individuals. Furthermore, it discusses how societal pressures and educational systems can contribute to mental health problems, and the effects of job satisfaction and working conditions on life expectancy. The essay emphasizes the importance of addressing poverty and implementing policies to reduce health gaps, advocating for solutions such as empowering less fortunate communities and improving working conditions to promote health equity.

Running head: Health Inequities 1
Health Inequities
Name
Institution

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Health Inequities
The inequities in health in different countries are evaluated on a basis of social and
economic statuses of the citizens. Blass et al (2008) insisted that these are the disparities in
quality and accessibilities of health services between different regions or individuals within a
social setting. The aspect of the use of power is defined on the basis of individuals at positions of
authority being able to use their influence to the benefit of less fortunate in the society for the
whole population to move forward together (Sen & Ostlin 2008). Apparently, it is assumed that
people with enough resources are at lower risk of succumbing to diseases since they afford
treatment. However, over the recent years, cases of some lifestyle diseases are experienced at
higher rates by the rich as compared to their less wealthy counterparts. Empowering less
fortunate communities would go a long way in solving the differences.
Environmental Impacts on Health
Figure 1

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The environment where a society resides can contribute to the health or lack thereof based on
how it influences people’s living conditions. As such, occupants of informal structures have a
higher chance of getting infected with diseases such as cholera than those living in homes fitted
with necessary facilities for basic human integrity.
In the photo above (Figure 1) there are boys whose residence is close to a dumping
ground and they have to pass through that route on a daily basis on their way to school.
Consequently, these students would easily catch infections in the area that people with access to
proper infrastructure might not encounter. World Health Organization (2017) insists that such an
issue can be resolved through the right combination of strategies by the governments whose
citizens experience similar situations. The move would directly reduce health risks thus saving
resources for the benefit of the entire country.
Cultural Differences and Health Inequities
In a case study of New Zealand, despite the health services offered to be of good quality,
there is inequity in accessibility and the results obtained by seekers (Cummings 2017). She also
found that the country’s population life expectancy is around eighty-one years but some groups
such as Maori have half-a-decade less to live. The difference is as a result of failure to seek
medical attention within the right duration hence they end up succumbing or they visit hospitals
when the condition is at an advanced level. However, the research also indicated that there is an
improvement in the health sector such that all citizens have improved from the situation they
experienced years back due to the government commitment to maintain steady growth in the
field (Cummings, 2017). Additionally, the distribution of infrastructure and services in the

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country is conducted in a manner that strives to reach all nationals equally but some communities
are yet to catch up with the rest of the country.
Economic Disparities
Figure 2
There is extreme diversity between the living standards of the wealthy and the poor in the
country such that despite being a big economy, the number of homeless people is significant.
The nation has well-established health technology and services that some individuals may not
make use of due to their inability to afford them because their income is enough for basic
commodities (Johnson 2017). In addition, she indicated that the health education in a fraction of
the population was lacking hence leading to the failure to seek the services.

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The picture in figure 2 shows a homeless adult surviving in the streets with a donation
from well-wishers. As such, it is impossible for such a person to prioritize the health services
such as insurance or check-ups at the recommended intervals either for themselves or their young
ones when they have not catered for the food, clothing, and shelter. Since country’s legislature
has the power to create programs to reduce poverty, as well as to empower the individuals such
that they are able to cater for their need, they ought to implement the policies in order to solve
the issue.
The Wealthy Health Problems
Evans, (2013) indicated that children from different background experience unique
challenges that are determined by their environment. As such, if one’s parents have been able to
achieve much in their economic and social endeavors, they expect their children to perform well.
Apparently, the failure to do so can lead them to depression and in turn, indulge in drug abuse
due to stress and cause them mental instability. On the contrary, the poor children are not prone
to similar conditions hence they are allowed to maximize their potential according to their best
ability without pushing them.

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In figure 3, the photo shows a class during an exam where students are striving to carry
out the exercise and get good grades. The tension in the room could cause mental problems to
the participants as opposed to those who do not engage in the activity. The society and education
systems should be supportive of the youth to avoid pushing them to result in destructive habits
because of being pressured.
Industrial Stress
Foster, (2017) insinuates that the life expectancy of individuals is directly proportional to
the quality of life they lead. As such, people who engage in daily activities that are unfulfilling
are likely to die younger than those who are passionate about their careers. Consequently,
satisfaction with the compensation for one’s skills has similar impacts on the recipients. Foster
(2017) relates career satisfaction with the ability to cater for the worker’s needs and less strain in
their lives. When the income is sufficient, people are able to afford health facilities fees as well
as other basic requirements.
Countries that do not provide their workers with proper working conditions and fail to
provide the benefits rightful for the tasks they perform experience industrial strikes more often
than those that do. Therefore, the professionals in the different environments encounter variety
health issues and ultimately their life-spans are not similar. The bodies mandated to solve the
worker’s issues should carry out their duties to motivate employees.
Poverty

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Figure 4
In some countries where there is extreme poverty, access to health facilities is a major
challenge and where they are close they might not afford the fee charged (WHO 2017).
Additionally, presence might not mean adequacy since the infrastructure might be insufficient to
perform necessary procedures needed by the patients (WHO 2017). As such, the rate of maternal
mortality might be relatively higher than in other countries around the globe.
What does the image show? It shows two young children who lost a mother in child-
delivery which is a rampant situation in the country. However, it is evident from the photo that
the two individuals live under extreme deprivation such that they may not afford the basic health
services. The policy-makers and other concerned parties have the power to solve these problems
reduce the big gap between them and the developed nations in order to restore their dignity.

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References
Blas, E., Gilson, L., Kelly, M. P., Labonte, R., Lapitan, J., Muntaner, C., …& Schrecker, T.
(2008). Addressing social determinants of health inequities: What can the state and civil society
do?. The Lancet, 372(9650), 1684-1689.
Cummings, J. (September 2017). Retrieved from https://www.victoria.ac.nz/news/2017/09/new-
zealands-health-service-performs-well,-but-inequities-remain-high
Evans, M. (Nov 2013). Retrieved from www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10439196/children-of-
rich-parents-suffering-increased-mental-health-problems.html
Foster, K. (July 2017). Retrieved from www.independent.co.uk/news/health/health-inequality-
austerity-life-expectancy-gap-liverpool-study-increasing-inequalities-strategy-a7861921.html
Johnson, C.Y. (June 2017). Retrieved from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/06/05/america-is-a-world-leader-in-
health-inequality/utm_term=.a84bd379860a
Sen, G., & Ostrin, P. (2008). Gender inequity in health: Why it exists and how we can change it.
WHO (2017). Retrieved from www.who.int/sdhconference/background/news/facts/en/
Images
Figure 1: Photo by WHO/D. Rodriguez: www.who.int/sdhconference/background/news/facts/en/
Figure 2: Photo by Julie Jacobson: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archieve/2016/01/how-
health-and-homelessness-are-connectedmedically/458871/

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Figure 3: Photo by REX FEATURES: www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10439196/children-of-
rich-parents-suffering-increased-mental-health-problems.html
Figure 4: Photo retrieved from: indiatoday.intoday.in/story/poverty-child-maternal-deaths-high-
in-india-united-nations-report/1/370319.html