Social Inequalities In Health

There are associations between the materialistic/structural explanation and the cultural behavioural explanation. The cultural explanation suggests that the social distribution of poor health is linked to differences in individual behaviours and to different groups’ attitudes towards their health (Daykin, 2001). The Stroke Foundation of NZ (2010) suggests that people who are subject to a greater degree of disadvantage were estimated to have about a 60% increased risk of stroke when compared with those with the lowest level of disadvantage. Asthana and Halliday (2006) backs this statement up as it states that health-damaging behaviours are more prevalent among the poor than the socially advantaged. Additionally there are also behavioural factors that cause this inequality. In more deprived areas people are more likely to experience depression and/or stress which therefore causes them to consume excessive alcohol and smoke as a way to regulate their mood and deal with the stresses of their lives (Daykin, 2001). Thus alluding to the fact that poverty is not the only contributor to poor health outcomes rather that individuals themselves control their fate (Asthana & Halliday, 2006). This is supported by a study presented in Asthana and Halliday (2006) whereby women in low SES regard smoking as an important coping mechanism (for anxiety and stress). Hence this evidence displays the relationship between material deprivation, psychosocial health and wellbeing and lifestyle factors with low SES therefore creating an increase in stroke incidence and prevalence. Ultimately the social selection and discrimination explanation, as stated by both Daykin (2001) and Asthana and Halliday (2006), explains inequalities in health as the process by which individuals with low SES are less inclined to flourish in the public eye than those with high SES. …show more content…
It is appropriate to further suggest that those in high SES areas are more advantaged in that they have more resources and support and are more able to overcome health problems than those in low SES areas (Daykin, 2001). As a result of employment opportunity difficulties, lack of formed relationships and struggles to survive in society, individuals in low SES suffer from increased stress therefore encouraging smoking behaviour (Warner, 1994). Smokers are more prevalent in low-income areas and as stated in Warner (1994) they experience discrimination as they tend not to be hired for jobs compared. As a result these individuals receive little to no income putting them at a disadvantage and disenabling them to grow in society therefore continually moving down the social hierarchy. The historical explanation relates to historical events that have lead to people with lower SES carrying out behaviours which make them more susceptible to the risk …show more content…
These historical events include colonization and migration (Glover, 2005). Over 200 years ago the British colonized NZ and settlers brought with them tobacco and introduced it as a means of manipulating and controlling the Maori people (Glover, 2005). As British settlers confiscated the land, the Maori people lost their primary source of income therefore causing them to turn calming effects such as smoking. Over time tobacco became a source of stress relief and thus a behavioural norm amongst Maoris’. This behavioural norm has endured through generations resulting in a high number of Maori smokers (Glover, 2005). The Stroke Foundation of NZ indicates that there is a high representation of Maori in low SES groups which begins to explain why there is a higher rate of smoking in low SES groups than high SES groups. This ultimately leads to a higher prevalence of