factors

• list environmental factors:

  1. housing
  2. work environment
  3. climate
  4. urban environment
• list sociocultural factors

  1. socioeconomic status
  2. unemployment
  3. social exclusion
  4. social isolation
  5. food security
  6. early life experiences
  7. access to healthcare
  8. cultural norms
• explain what sociocultural factors are?

  social and cultural conditions that people experience throughout their lives
• explain SES:

  • Measured to determine social status of an individual using the factors:
  • Income: access to resources
  • Education: health literacy

  Occupation: manual workers often come from low SES risky jobs
• explain unemployment:

  • Losing employment can significantly increase levels of stress and anxiety for individuals, especially if they are required to provide for their family

  AIHW: “those unemployed have a higher risk of dying and suffer more illnesses than those of a similar age who are employed”
• explain social exclusion:

  • Segregation people experience if they aren’t adequately participating in the society they live 
  • People who suffer from mental health conditions, homelessness, disabilities, or poverty are more likely to suffer social exclusion (less opportunities to access eduction, employment, safe housing and healthcare)
• explain social isolation:

  • When individuals are not in regular contact with others
  • Language barriers and disabilities
  • Suffer from mental health conditions - depression -> increase risk of self-harm, substance abuse and suicide.
• what is geographical isolation?


  when people live in remote areas, preventing them from being able to regularly interact with others
• explain food security?

  • Food insecurity occurs in low-SES environments where people lack financial ability/health literacy to access nutritious diet
  • Geographical location can prevent
  • Decreased financial ability or health literacy = increase consumption of cheap, processed food which increases health complications (obesity, type 2 diabetes)
• explain early life experiences

  How an individual is brought up which shapes the way they view the world
• explain access to healthcare

  • Financial barriers:
  • Prevent low SES individuals from seeking health services
  • Limits access to PHI (public health insurance) and services it covers
  • Cultural barriers:
  • Indigenous Australians are less likely to access western medical services
  • Seek medical practice that is in line with their own practices and beliefs
• explain cultural norms

  • Relates to customs, ideas, values and traditions in a particular society passed through generations
  • Eg. gender stereotypes, food intake (western diet), attitude and belief (alcohol use)