Health Inequalities in Camden

This assignment delves into the complex issue of health inequalities within Camden. It examines various risk factors contributing to these disparities, analyzes the underlying causes, and explores existing strategies aimed at mitigating them. The analysis draws upon data from local sources like 'Health in Camden' and national reports on health inequalities. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Camden's residents and potential solutions for creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Social
Determinant of
health

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Demographic profile of Camden ............................................................................................1
2. Health issues in Camden ........................................................................................................2
3. Social determinants of health .................................................................................................3
4. Health inequalities...................................................................................................................4
5. Policy issues related to Camden .............................................................................................6
6. Public health provisions in Camden .......................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
In health and social care sector, the term social determinant of health are conditions
related to social and economic. The distribution of both types of conditions among the
population basically influence the differences in heath status of individual and groups. It is also
defined as a condition of people in which they born, live, grow, age and work. In addition, the
other factors like income, education level and wealth also shapes the health of people. In this
regard, present research report helps in understanding he concept of social determinants of
health. For this purpose one specific area Camden is considered. The report will mainly focus on
the individual life style of people as one of social determinant of health in London borough of
Camden. Further, it explores the requirement of health and care services in respect to inequalities
in people's health. In addition, various types of health issues in cited area will also be explored
like alcoholism. It will also explore the current health and social policies which are implemented
in the borough of Camden.
1. Demographic profile of Camden
In respect to demographic profile of Camden, it covers near about 11 square miles in
London. In the year of 1965 April, this areas was created in London. The research reports of
surveys explored that in 2014, the estimated population was near about 225,000 but in 2015 it
rises to 230,000 (Oladosu, Akinlo and Olanisebe, 2015). The researchers concluded hat between
2006 and 2026, near about 18 % populations will be increased. Along with this, ethnicity of
Camden is more diverse The ethnicity of this areas is such as 44 % White British, 3.2 % White
Irish, 19 % other White, 2.8 % Indian, 4.9 % Black Africans, 5.7 Bangladeshi and 2.9 % Chinese
etc. n addition, life expectancy of both women and men is higher as compare to average rate of
England. Due to improper lifestyle and other factors the life expectancy years of citizens of
Camden has considerably decreased by 8.9 years in females and 11.4 years in males. (Health in
Camden. 2015). One of the major reasons behind the decrease in quality of life is due to
increased percentage of poverty in Camden borough of London. This is the result of poor quality
of housing facilities and increased number of juvenile crimes in the area. In respect to age factor,
Camden also has the young population. The crimes rate in this area is more the average for
London. Due to the presence of poverty there are many other issues that have been erupted such
as increased discrimination, poverty, inequalities and lack of education in Camden. The poverty
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is increased at high level that working families are also considered as a poverty driven In
Camden (Young, Beyeler and Quesada, 2015). All these factors basically affects the health
conditions of people. The reason it creates the differences in health status.
2. Health issues in Camden
The term health issues is referred to the damage to body in terms of both physically and
mentally. With the presence of health issues relates situation, person is not able to carry out the
daily life activities. In respect to Camden, people are facing more issues in respect to their health.
N this context, the health issues are caused due to usage of alcohol and drugs. In this regard, the
major health issues which are present in Camden are such as heart related diseases, obesity,
diabetes, HIV/ AIDS and hyper tension (Halliday, Whitehead and Popay, 2015). The health
conditions in Camden have also deteriorated because people are not able to maintain proper
lifestyle and food habits. According to survey reports it has been estimated that more than 8%
of total population of Camden is at increased risk of consuming alcohol due to depression and
stress. Hence it is very necessary to adopt various strategies so that these issues are solved
effectively. (Graham, 2007). In addition to this, near about 20 % are considered that they are
excessively drinking the alcohol. Due to this reason, it has become the primary reason for the
liver disease. In this regard, alcoholic liver disease is also a main reason which affects the health
of people. The many surveys explores that between 2006 and 2011, the alcohol related
admissions are estimated near about 13 % in men and 35 % in women. In addition to this it can
be stated that due to increased number of people with alcohol consumption in Camden the health
outcomes have been deteriorated. In such situations mortality rate have been consistently high
in this borough. Various healthcare organisations have also organised training and medical
camps so that they can provide training to all the individuals who are engaged in this activities.
The cases of alcoholic liver disease also increases more in Camden. All these reasons also causes
the other health issues which are related to high blood pressure, hypertension and mental illness
etc. The researches in science field explored that due to excessive drink of alcohol several types
of disease chances also increases such as stroke, cancers, gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric
etc. (Zeglin, McGuire-Kuletz and Rhodes, 2015). The researcher also explored that there is a
close relationship between mental health illness and dependence on alcohol. On the other side,
due to presence of money crimes, people are more moving towards to intake the drugs which are
extremely dangerous for the health. The researcher conducts a survey and evaluates the
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percentage of few risk factors which leads the people of Camden towards the death. (Halliday,
Whitehead and Popay, 2015)
In order to prevent the chances of health issues, it is essentially required to increase the
awareness among people about the harmful effects of alcohol and drug on health.
In the above diagram it can be clearly stated that more than 22% of individual in Camden are at
increased risk of smoking. This report was prepared in 2015 to assess the risk factors in London.
Further the 14 % of individual have been reported to suffer from high blood pressure due to
various reasons. High cholesterol and obesity has also affected Camden with a considerable
percentage of 10% and 8% respectively. The cases of obesity and high cholesterol has increased
in 2015 because due to poverty the citizens of Camden are not able to consume healthy food.
They consume food which is not nutritious and healthy and this leads to deposition of bad
cholesterol in the body. Lack of physical activity is also one of the main reasons which have
contributed towards increased cases of obesity. Other factors that have increased the risk of
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Illustration 1: Risk factors in Camden
Source: (Health in Camden. 2015)

people living in Camden are alcohol consumption, external factors and various infections due to
improper hygienic condition's and sanitation.
3. Social determinants of health
The term social determinants basically considered as a structural determinant which
defines the surrounding situation of people in which they born, grow, age and live. Due to
presence of high level of poverty factor, the lifestyle of people also get affected. In the social
determinants of health five factors are present such as economic, education, social, health care
and environment. The presence of these determinants makes the people more healthy but in
contrast to this, people will be more affected. These determinants are based on few factors such
as income, social status, education rate, physical environment, social support networks, health &
care services, genders and genetics.
The health of people also get ore affected because in Camden education level is low and
along with this poor access to the care and health related services. More people are
unemployment and if family is working then also they will count in poverty line. In this context,
the stressful situations also affects the health of person which increase the chances of blood
pressure and hypertension etc. In addition to this, many people of Camden are homeless. Early
life factors such as poverty, homelessness, lack of education, peer pressure and decreased
support from family members and friends are also some of the factors that are considered as
other determinants of health (Halliday, Whitehead and Popay, 2015). Low literacy rate has also
accounted for various problems in Camden.
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Along with this social exclusion, discrimination and poverty also gives impact on the
health of people and also causes the chances of early death. In addition to this, the nest health
determinant is considered the unemployment in Camden. In this context, it is explored that job
security helps in improving the satisfaction level, health and well being of people. Due to the
high level of unemployment rate also causes the illness conditions and premature deaths in
children. Along with this, in Camden the health impacts of employments are basically associated
with the both psychological consequences and financial conditions (Clair, 2016). The presences
of insecurity about job and unemployment also affects the mental health condition of people. The
incidence of unemployment and wordlessness also depends n the gender, age, ethnicity,
disability and house hold type. The people of Camden are getting more depressed because they
are homelessness and poor. Due to poverty the affected person from the disease are not able to
excess the health and care services. The environmental and economic conditions are also not
healthy, but in present time government takes the several types of initiatives in order to increase
the health conditions of people. In addition to this, people are more attracted towards the usage
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Illustration 2: Literacy rates in Camden

of drugs on regular basis. In present time this is big challenge because it also gives the great
impact on health of people. The many researches in this regard explored that usage of opiate in
Camden is considered as a second highest risk factor. The medical admissions explored that near
about 40 % of drug addicted people are present in Camden who are treating now. In this context,
the other reason is low income of people in Camden (Flynn, Eggerth and Jacobson, 2015).
4. Health inequalities
In respect to Camden, half residential population of this area experience the poorer health
conditions. Majority of citizens in Camden are living in deprived areas and this is the reason that
they are not able to assess different facilities provided by the government of UK. Due to this
lack of education, homelessness, poverty and other factors have been reported in Camden. These
types of differences represents in the people who experience the worst health situations and
experience short lives. The people who lives in most deprived part of Camden mainly experience
the chronic health condition's and due to poverty they can afford the medical and support
services. The health inequalities are related to the geographic area, gender, social class, ethnicity
and deprivation (Health inequalities. 2014). In respect to Camden, women are expected to live
the longer life as compare top men. The inequalities in health conditions arises due to increment
in societal inequalities which are related to the surrounding conditions of people.
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The term health inequalities can be described as difference in health status of people
between different groups of population. In this context, the difference in mobility and mortality
rate between people who belongs to different types of social classes. In this context the main
motive of national and local policies is to reduce the situation of inequalities by lowering the rate
of poverty in Camden. Further, the health inequalities are related to the environmental factors
and biological variations in people of Camden. Most of the time the health inequalities are
unavoidable. In Camden, increment in poverty and homelessness concept, health inequalities
increase with the rapid speed. In addition to this due to presence of discrimination factor, health
inequalities rate also get affected (Oladosu, Akinlo and Olanisebe, 2015). In Camden, the
differences in health status of people are considered as unjust and unfair. In Camden due to
presence of high level of poverty, people have no choice in conditions of living and working. In
addition to this, many of the health inequalities in Camden across the social groups are unjust
because they represent an unfair distribution of social determinants which affects the health. In
addition to this, homeless people are mostly affected with the problems which are related to
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Illustration 3: Causes of health inequalities
Source: (Health inequalities . 2014)

mental and physical. In respect to UK, Black report 1980, describes that health standards are
directly linked up with the social class.
5. Policy issues related to Camden
Introduction of the section
Present section introduce the health related issues of people regarding excessive alcohol
consumption which affect health of them in the Camden.
Information of policies
These polices are divided in national and local level policies which contribute effectively
to reduce alcohol-related issues in the area.
National Policy
These health care policies are designed by government of United of Kingdom to improve
health related issues of people in various areas.
Identify the policies
 National health care policies of UK help the young people to improve their mental health
by providing proper education as well as resources which contribute effectively to reduce
alcohol-related issues in Camden. These practices aid the people to change their
behaviour to leave this kind of habit in this area (Elsheshtawy and Hussein, 2015).
 Government of United Kingdom also emphasize on core values like fairness , roles as
well as responsibilities which help the people to achieve appropriate confidence and
decision making skills by running heath care campaigns like “healthy lives healthy” for
people (Our strategy for public health in England. 2010). This policy support the people
to leave alcoholic habits in better way in the Camden.
 They empower the local government as well as communities of Camden which provides
appropriate rights and powers to change their environments which play important role for
young along with teenagers to reduce their alcohol-related issues in the area (Emeche,
2015).
 Government of UK collaborate with business and voluntary sectors which provide
effective support people to reduce alcohol consumption by achieving appropriate
resources like financial help to make better life in the Camden city.
What do they intend to do?
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These policies contribute effective role government of UK to reduce alcohol consumption
by creating appropriate awareness people in Camden.
Local Policies
Generally, local level policies are designed by local government of Camden to reduce
health related issues in people.
Identify the local policies
 Local policies contribute effective role for people to create proper awareness by
explaining disadvantages of excessive use of alcohol consumption in the Camden.
 These polices help the people to reduce long term harms by developing better links
between between primary care, alcohol support services as well as local hospitals in the
Camden. This approach help the people to treat youngsters and teenagers in a appropriate
manner within specific area (Camden’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-18.
2015).
 They also emphasize on social factors which help to increase job security and
unemployment. These practices contribute effective role for people to decrease alcohol-
related issues by reducing mental tension in the Camden.
What do they intend to do?
Local policies of government help people to decrease overall alcohol-related issues by
leaving this addiction in the area.
Discussion of national and local level policies
These national and local level policies contribute effectively to enhance knowledge of
alcoholic people with help of healthy lives and healthy people promotional campaigns in the
Camden. They help the government of United Kingdom to reduce alcohol consumption in this
area. In addition to this, they play important role for people to leave this addictino by achieving
various facilities and treatments in the Camden.
What do they take? Do they consider the wider determinants of health
Government of United Kingdom consider various determinant of health regarding
alcohol-related issues in the Camden. These practices help legal authorities to develop effective
health and social care policies to improve health of people. In addition to this, department of
health ministry develop new rules and regulation and various health division like health
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protection act and health protection agency for implementation of these polices to reduce alcohol
consumption in the Camden and other areas of UK (Halliday, Whitehead and Popay, 2015).
What do authors say about the existing policies? Are they effective or realistic?
Existing health care policies of United Kingdom is effective which help the people to
reduce their health related issues. They contribute effective for youngsters and teenagers to
reduce alcohol-related issues as comparison of previous years by giving them proper information
in the Camden. Authors also suggest that government of United Kingdom can develop health
care policies as per present situation which aid to reduce alcohol-related issue of people in
appropriate manner. These efforts play important role for government to provide better treatment
for people in Camden and other areas.
6. Public health provisions in Camden
In respect to the concept of public health provision, the Quality of care is considered as a
one of the core focus of NHS (National Health Services). The main motive of NHS is to improve
the quality of care and support services. In respect to Camden several types of issues are faced in
respect to care services. In respect to this, the public health also plays and important role. In
respect to health inequalities in Camden, the main motive of public health is to increase the
awareness about harmful effects of alcohol and drugs. They also target to reduce the number of
drinker by influencing the people to adopt the healthy life style (Graham, 2007). In respect to this
objective, several health provisions are created by the governing bodies such as Healthy Lives,
Healthy People etc. By conducting the several types of campaigns and support groups, more
people are motivated to adopt the healthy things and access the health and care services. The
outcomes of provisions are more measured in positive manner.
CONCLUSION
With the help of present research report it is articulated that social determinants gives
impact on the health status of people. In this context, to understand this concept, Camden is
selected. It is quite small borough of London with wide diversity. The population of this area is
considered as a mixed type because few community areas are considered as a stable but some
stills faces the high level of mobility. The health and social policies requires to deal with the
social determinants of health in Camden. In Camden, the social determinants are early life,
stress, unemployment, discrimination and addiction etc.
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REFERENCES
Graham, H. 2007. Health and Socioeconomic Inequalities. Maidenhead, Open University Press.
Young, M.E.D., Beyeler, N. and Quesada, J., 2015. Immigration as a social determinant of
health. Annual review of public health, 36, pp.375-392.
Zeglin, R.J., McGuire-Kuletz, M. and Rhodes, S.D., 2015. Employment as a Social Determinant
of Health: A Review of Longitudinal Studies Exploring the Relationship Between
Employment Status and Mental Health. Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and
Education, 29(3), pp.261-290.
Halliday, E., Whitehead, M. and Popay, J., 2015. Development of a framework for identifying
and measuring collective control as a social determinant of health: findings from an
evaluation of a natural policy experiment in empowerment. The Lancet, 386, p.S64.
Clair, A., 2016, July. Housing As a Social Determinant of Health: Its Impact on Health
Inequalities Across Europe. In Third ISA Forum of Sociology. Isaconf.
Flynn, M.A., Eggerth, D.E. and Jacobson, C.J., 2015. Undocumented status as a social
determinant of occupational safety and health: The workers’ perspective. American
journal of industrial medicine, 58(11), pp.1127-1137.
Oladosu, O.A., Akinlo, A. and Olanisebe, S.O., 2015. Religion as a Social Determinant of
Maternal Health Care Service Utilisation in Nigeria. African Population Studies. 29(2).
pp.1868-1881.
Elsheshtawy, E. and Hussein, R.A., 2015. Determinants of Long Duration of Untreated
Psychosis and Medication Adherence in Egyptian Schizophrenic Patients: The role of
Social Support. Instruction to Authors, 26(1), pp.84-93.
Emeche, U., 2015. Is a strategy focused on super-utilizers equal to the task of health care system
transformation? Yes. The Annals of Family Medicine, 13(1), pp.6-7.
Health in Camden. 2015. [Online]. Available Through: <https://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/cms-
service/stream/asset/;jsessionid=C18B2DFADB10C9E1A96BCEAEBE0391F3?
asset_id=2932110&>. [Accessed on 4th May 2016].
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Health inequalities. 2014. [Online]. Available Through:
<http://www.publichealth.ie/healthinequalities/healthinequalities>. [Accessed on 4th
May 2016].
Our strategy for public health in England. 2010. [Pdf]. Available Through:
<https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/
216096/dh_127424.pdf>. [Accessed on 4th May 2016].
Camden’s Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-18. 2015. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/stream/asset/?asset_id=3374931&>.
[Accessed on 4th May 2016].
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