Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Health and Disabilities Report

This report explores the intricate relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), health outcomes, and individuals with disabilities, with a particular focus on the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It begins by introducing the concept of SES and its significant impact on health, emphasizing the challenges faced by those with disabilities, including lower educational attainment, financial insecurity, and limited employment opportunities. The report then delves into a detailed analysis of the NDIS, outlining its policies and programs aimed at supporting people with disabilities, promoting independence, and fostering social integration. It highlights the implications of these policies on SES and health, emphasizing improved access to services, increased employment opportunities, and enhanced mental well-being. The report also references the Dahlgren and Whitehead Ecological Model to show the relationship between the diseases of the individuals, the environment their life in and the person himself/herself. Overall, the report underscores the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities to improve health outcomes and promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

RUNNING HEADER: SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS 1
Socioeconomic Status
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Introduction
In this presentation, we shall be discussing socioeconomic status, health and the people living
with disabilities. We shall majorly rely on the National Disability Insurance Scheme which with
its national scheme aims at supporting the persons with a disability, (Sharp, 2019. ). Also in
considering the positive effects, we shall use the Dahlgren and Whitehead Ecological Model
which is responsible for promoting and protecting health through its four different levels of
policies. It's majorly aimed at reducing the health hazards for those born with disabilities and
also allow for an easy time as they make their health choices.
The core of the ecological model focuses on sex, a person's genes, and the individual's age.
These first layer has much to do with the lifestyles of the person, his/her diets, with they take part
in exercises among others, (Silveira, 2019.) the second layer majorly focuses on the individuals
that surround the person and the support he/she gets from them especially with the family,
friends and the community at large. There should be a reasonable effort to help the community
for a chance to take place. It should be majorly aimed at reducing the hazards. The third layer
majorly concerns itself with the social and material conditions of the people who live there.
Major services which involve education, healthcare, and water are of great importance. To
improve this level then there is a need for greater improvement in its strategies and policies. The
fourth one now focuses on the general socio-economic, cultural and the environmental
conditions which would require improving all sectors to bring about the change that is required,
(Morris, 2019).

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Outline of topic
Focusing on the socioeconomic status, health and people with disabilities, consistently proves
that people with low socioeconomic status have poor health outcomes. This focuses on the
educational levels, the individual's financial security and their social classes and status. SES has
a great impact on the people living with disability counting that most of them are poor and
undereducated, (Nobles, 2019). The disability prevalence varies between genders and hence no
particular gender is affected more than the other. This also translates to the low employment and
labor force among the people living with a disability. The high costs related to people living with
disabilities and especially those that have been severely disabled.
Discussion of a current (2019) relevant policy or program
According to the policy statement issued concerning the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Funding Agreement, some policies were made. It outlines that once the persons with disability
transition from the NDIS, then there shall be a collaboration with the National Disability
Insurance Agency in developing support plans which will include funding from the NDIS. It
further states that persons with disabilities will have direct services and supports for their plans.
They will also have the freedom to choose the agencies that will provide their support. The
policy also further projects it will work together to provide the knowledge they need for a
smooth transition.
Provision of public transport and behavioral support in school is a key role that the National
Disability Insurance Scheme plays so as to help the education sector. It also facilitates the
integration of the individuals with disability together with the society which contributes to
developing independence among them.

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Whenever people with disabilities are educated, their socioeconomic status is also greatly
improved. This is because most of them are associated with low incomes due to their low levels
of education. Further, because of their improved level of education, they broaden their chances
of getting employment. The policies put in place make it easier for people with disabilities to get
jobs compared to the ones without. Through NDIS, people living with disabilities are able to
receive support even at their workplace. This works at improving their mental health even as it
gives them an opportunity for long-term employment alongside a gradual increase in salary.
As their integration with the society at both the workplace and places continues, these people
living with disabilities make friends whom they can count on. Most of them would often seek
help from their surroundings because of the community and social networks formed.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme also has policies after being recently updated. These
policies are aimed at providing the people with disabilities with access to mainstream services,
(Truesdale, 2019. ). These services include housing, improving their levels of education and their
health. Also, the policy focuses on ensuring access to services offered by the community which
will include facilities such as libraries and clubs. It also aims at maintaining their informal
supports which encompasses their families and friends.
Discussion of the current policy/program and implications for SES and health
The policy has had a great impact on the socioeconomic and health of the individuals.
Their socioeconomic status has been improved greatly through the support of independence
along with the participation of the individual's in their economic and social participation.
On matters health, the persons with disability have been given the freedom of choice especially
as they pursue goals which allow them to plan and deliver their supports.

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For the people living with disabilities, it has facilitated in the development of a consistent
approach that is nationally accepted through the support groups for the people with disability.
It has also played a great role in promoting better and innovative ideas that offer great support to
people with disabilities.
It also aims at providing equitable support for all persons living with disabilities through
addressing the gaps that are created when providing services.
It also fosters at ensuring that there is a continuity in support of the people who are legible for
their services.
The implications of the policy system also focus on a person's daily personal activities.
It also aims at providing support for therapeutic conditions which has a direct impact on their
behavioral support.
The policy provides means through which person's with a disability can be helped with their
household tasks which will help them in maintaining their home environment.
Conclusion
The Dahlgren and Whitehead Ecological Model play a key role in describing the social-
ecological theory that is related to health. The model gives insightful information about the
relationship between the diseases of the individuals, the environment their life in and the person
himself/herself. He clearly shows how the influences of health can be modified. With the
National Disability Insurance Scheme, is seen to play a big role in supporting the people who

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have significant and permanent disabilities. This overly affects their ability in taking part in daily
activities.
Socioeconomic status of the people living with a disability is seen to have an overall functioning
on the individual and especially their physical and mental health. From the list of policies, there
has been a great effort to reduce the great gaps in the socioeconomic status of people. There has
been a clear relationship between the low socioeconomic status and low levels of education, high
levels of poverty, poor health among others. Policies have been developed to help improve the
current state, (Carden, 2019).
References

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Carden, A. B. K. A. C. T. A. a. E. D., 2019. Low socioeconomic status is associated with lower
weight-loss outcomes 10-years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surgical endoscopy, 33(2),.
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authorities in England address obesity: A wider determinants of health perspective.. s.l.: Health
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Sharp, N. C. M. B. R. a. L. K., 2019. In the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, Vol. 66,
Suppl. 1: Occupational Therapy Australia 28th National Conference and Exhibition, 10-12 July
2019, International Convention Centre, Sydney (pp. 39-39). Huge potential‐huge gaps: service
provider perspectives of emerging adults' experiences relating to the National Disability
Insurance Scheme and implications for occupational therapists.
Silveira, S. a. M. R., 2019. Environmental correlates of health-promoting leisure physical
activity in persons with multiple sclerosis using a social cognitive perspective embedded within a
social-ecological model. Preventive Medicine Reports, s.l.:s.n.
Truesdale, K. M. D. J. M. M. S. S. E. a. P. C., 2019. Baseline diet quality of predominantly
minority children and adolescents from households characterized by low socioeconomic status
in the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium. BMC
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