Analysis of Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia: Essay

This essay delves into the significant health discrepancies observed in Australia, particularly between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. It identifies key determinants of health, including employment and income, highlighting the link between socioeconomic status and health outcomes. The essay examines the impact of education levels, housing conditions, and access to resources on health disparities, emphasizing the role of racism and racial discrimination as critical factors. It draws on various studies and data to illustrate how these determinants intertwine to affect the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and complexities involved.

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 1
Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia
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Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia
Introduction
Across the globe, the indigenous people experience escalated levels of poor wellbeing,
poverty, improper diet, inadequate and inappropriate housing as well as other health issues in
contrast to the non-indigenous group. Such discrepancies are evident in almost all countries with
indigenous populations such as Australia. The World Health Organization notes that health
inequality between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the non-Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders to be the highest in the world (Markwick et al., 2014, p.91). A study by
Markwick et al., (2014, p.91) conducted on the Australian indigenous population between 2010
and 2012 estimated their life expectancy to be 10.6 years lower than the non-natives among the
men and 9.5 years less in females. Improvement, the wellbeing of native populace, has been
considered as a long-standing issue for the administration of Australia. The comprehension of the
vital aspect of these disparities is indispensable for its reduction. Health inequalities result from a
sophisticated sort of intertwined cultural, economic, environmental, geographical and social
perspective which collectively referred to as determinants of health which are responsible for the
health disparities between these two populations. The determinants of health are factors that
influence the possibility to be healthy or become sick in the course of life. In this article, the
following; employment and income, housing, education and racism, and racial discrimination
will be discussed to explain the health discrepancies.
Employment and income
There is a secure connection between social, economic status and the quality of life and
consequently the health of an individual. The socioeconomic levels are chiefly influenced by

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 3
employment and income. Studies provide evidence to the link between low income with poor
health, shorter life expectancy, high illiteracy status, crime, and violence, decreased social
participation and substance abuse. Moreover, individuals with low socioeconomic status bear a
high disease burden as compared to the upper-class people in society (Pickett and Wilkinson,
2015, pp.316-326). Income inequalities have been regarded as determinants of health status
discrepancies contributing to about 50% of the life expectancy difference among the natives and
non-indigenous population of Australia (Zhao et al., 2013, p.1). In a study by Bombak and Bruce
(2012, p.18538) it was discovered that there is an intricate connection between income and self-
rating of health among indigenous people which is greatly influenced by employment.
In 2012– 13, an expected 43% of Indigenous grown-ups had livelihoods below 20% of
the equalized weekly gross family unit Australian salaries. The native Australians whose income
lies in the least salary quintile were least inclined to have finished Year 12 (15%) in contrast to
those in the best two income quintiles (45%). Those in the top pay quintiles were more probable
than those in the base pay category to be utilized (91% contrasted and 15%) and more averse to
smoke (67% contrasted and 44%). Those in the most reduced pay cluster were more probable
than those in the most astounding category to be unfit to consolidate $2,000 in seven days for
something significant (77% contrasted and 17%), have days without cash for fundamental
everyday costs (55% contrasted and 17%) and to live in a stuffed family (23% contrasted and
3%) (Saunders, Wong and Bradbury, 2016, pp.97-112).
In 2012– 13, 46% of Indigenous Australians in the most noteworthy family salary
quintiles detailed awesome/magnificent wellbeing status, contrasted with 32% of the group
belonging to the least quintile. Roughly 49% of the individuals who had finished Year 12 felt
excellent wellbeing levels, compared and 29% of the individuals who had progressed to Year 9

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 4
or below. The individuals who were utilized were bound to report generally amazing/incredible
wellbeing (46%) than those jobless (40%). Also, the non-indigenous groups in the most elevated
salary quintiles were more outlandish than those in the least pay quintile to seek outpatients'
services over the most recent two weeks (Otim et al., 2014, p.45).
Gray et al. (2014, pp.457-517) discovered that the indigenous people had a lesser sum
income that the other Australians in all labor force categories especially the full-time employees.
The indigenous are overly paid low wages that their non-indigenous counterparts which can be
attributed to low education levels, reduced availability and access to well-paying jobs and
averagely less working weeks. Most of the indigenous people's income was from government
payments while the non-indigenous accrued most of their income from private company
employment.
Education
There is a stable relationship between formal instructive accomplishment, especially Year
12, parental instructive achievement and proportions of wellbeing education. Research indicates
wellbeing results are affected by an individual's capacity to utilize a broad scope of materials and
assets to assemble wellbeing learning and empower enabled necessary wellbeing leadership.
Lower wellbeing proficiency is a hindrance to securing wellbeing training data and getting to
treatment (Johnson, 2014, p.39).
In 2012– 13, 20% of the indigenous group of 15 years and over were presently learning at
an instructive establishment in comparison to 17% of the non-indigenous populace in a similar
age bracket. Native young adults, between 15 and 24 years, were more averse to be schooling
than their non-Indigenous partners (Saunders, Wong and Bradbury, 2016, pp.97-112).

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 5
A survey discovered Year 12 to be the highest educational level attainment by 27% of
Aborigines of 18 years and above. In contrast, non-Indigenous Australians of 18 years or over
were bound to have finished Year 12 or equal (54%). The ratio of Aborigines of about 18 years
and over who completed Year 12 improved from 19% in 2002 to 27% in 2012– 13. Indigenous
Australians youths at 18 years or older residing in remote zones were more outlandish than those
residing in urban centers to have completed Year 12 or proportionate (20% contrasted with
29%).
A high number of indigenous Australians of about 15 or more years were at a TAFE/VET
level especially those above 45 years in comparison to the non-indigenous. Fewer Aborigines
were pursuing a course in a university or high education institution during 2012 and 2013 as
contrasted to the non-indigenous at 4% and 7% respectively among the younger age groups.
Overly, 6% of Aborigines with a bachelor's degree or above in comparison to 26% of the non-
indigenous (Saunders, Wong and Bradbury, 2016, pp.97-112).
Moreover, the Aborigines between the age of 15 and 64 years with a non-school
certificate had a 64% likelihood for employment that 36% of those without such a qualification.
The native adults with non-school qualification had 20% chances to be from the top two pay
quintiles as compared to 9% of minus the non-school requirements.
As the above data depicts, these differences in the level of education and accessibility to
learning institution compounded by poverty among the native population results into the reduced
quality of wellbeing for training is as well a crucial determinant to employment. Interpretation
of health-related issues and information is vital in the improvement of living standards;
unfortunately, the native population is disadvantaged for having fewer literacy levels in

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 6
comparison to the non-indigenous community. Women require education, particularly, formal to
be able to raise healthy children. In this case, the natives are disadvantages leading to health
disparities.
Housing
The socioeconomic disadvantages as a result of poverty and unemployment hinder the
natives from accessing proper housing. About 28% of the native aborigines reside in an
overcrowded area with inadequate or lack of necessary facilities such as toilets (Grant et al.,
2017, p.283). In addition to the poor living environment as a result of poor housing which is
often found in remote areas, the indigenous people have limited access to health facilities due to
the remoteness of their residences. The weak housing status is compounded by poor
infrastructure, for example, safe drinking water, sewerage system, proper garbage disposable and
collection as well as a reliable source of power. These status are predisposing factors to disease
contraction for they harbor and encourage parasitic and bacterial, infections. Additionally, they
are prone to high risks for physical injuries and accidents, for example, fire accidents due to poor
house planning (Baker et al., 2016, pp.219-232).
A survey conducted in 2011 found that 28% of the native population are homeless. About
three-quarters of this homeless population is as a result of severely crowded residential with a
12% living in supported accommodation for homeless which are the impoverished dwellings
such as tents. About 31% of the indigenous people seeking homelessness services live in poor
and inadequate housing before requesting for this services while 25% of the indigenous men are
without shelter before seeking such services (Saunders, Wong and Bradbury, 2016, pp.97-112).

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 7
These poor conditions of living are a source of stress which predisposes the indigenous
population to stress-related conditions such as depression that negatively impacts on life
expectancy. Such circumstances lead to reduced life expectancy in comparison to the non-
indigenous population whose housing status is of a reasonable standard.
As the above data suggests many indigenous people fit into the homelessness
classification for they are mostly to require homelessness services in comparison with the non-
indigenous people who have not the capacity to own a home but also provide themselves with
appropriate living standards.
Further, the restriction of the native population to a remote area is a predisposing aspect
of inadequate housing. Remote regions are compounded by infrastructural insufficiencies that
bring about discriminatory access to such infrastructure. The poor support in these remote
centers proves a challenge to services delivery and access to improved services. Therefore, the
impact of poor housing status among the native population is worsened by their concentration in
the remote regions that are associated with poor infrastructure and consequently poor services.
The inadequacy of a variety of services as a result of inadequate social amenities predisposes the
native populace to poor health in comparison with the non-indigenous people.
Racism and racial discrimination
Racism and racial discrimination be it self-reported notions or experiences are both
associated with poor physical as well as mental health (Priest et al., 2014, pp.1672-1687).
Racism, as well as discrimination, resulting in poor health through limited access to societal
resources and facilities such as healthcare and employment. Inevitable exposure to mental ill-
health risk factors such as drug abuse is evident. Studies, both national and international, have

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 8
depicted an active link between experiences of racism and poor health (Paradise et al., 2015,
p.138511). Racism experiences incapacitate self-confidence that might influence the recovery
process in case of any ailment. Furthermore, racism predisposes an individual to adverse health
conditions such as stress which might bring the lead to depression.
A survey carried out between 2012 and 2013 shows that 16% of the indigenous people
have often been maltreated for being an aboriginal. Another study on 755 aboriginals of Vitoria
found out 97% of the subjects to have experience at least an occurrence that they regarded as
racism in the past twelve months while 35% reported having under a racism experience in the
previous month (Ferdinand, Paradise and Kelaher, 2013, p.165). Some of the discriminatory acts
found were spat or having something thrown at about 67% of the original population form the
non-indigenous people while others (84%) were abused. The discrepancy to racism experience
existing among the two groups contributes to the differences in their wellbeing.
Racial discrimination in itself endangers the safety of an individual within the
community. The feeling of worthlessness as a result of racial discrimination as well as other
racism activities is a risk factor of wellbeing. Such circumstances are prominent to the native
population as instigated by their counterpart populace. Therefore, the health disparities among
the two communities are further widened since the natives have increased risks for poor health as
opposed to the non-indigenous people.
The existence of these negative attitudes towards the native Australian from the non-
indigenous people continues to widen the health disparity among these two groups. Racial
discrimination has denied most indigenous people employment which negatively impacts on
their socioeconomic status and consequently their wellbeing. Equal access to and distribution of

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 9
resources cannot be achieved with the existence of racism. The health of the disadvantaged
indigenous people remains poor as their counterparts improve even more due to unequal access
to resources. The effects of racism further thwart the wellbeing of the indigenous population
which also increases the gap. There is a need to promote equity by shunning discrimination.
In conclusion, every nation with the indigenous and non-indigenous population
experiences health disparities among the two groups and such is very evident in Australia. The
variations are shaped by non-health aspects that influence the wellbeing of an individual or a
group in the course of life. Education, employment and income, racism and housing are among
the critical health determinants responsible for the health discrepancies among Australia's native
and non-indigenous population. The unfortunate socioeconomic result from unemployment and
low income which brings about inadequate housing and increase illiteracy levels for inability to
afford education. Poor is housing prominent among the native as opposed to the non-indigenous
people predisposing this group to ill-health conditions that lower their life expectancy and
increasing disease burden. Most indigenous people have experienced racism which has caused
them mental issues affecting their health are limiting them from having an equal of societal
resources. The reduction of health disparities requires equity and appropriate treatment of both
groups by keenly considering the health determinants.

Determinants of Health Discrepancies in Australia 10
References
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