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This essay will discuss the health inequality income and its impact on an individual’s physical and mental health. I will go into discuss stresses due to poverty and underprovided areas negative impact on the body and mind, as well as the lack of adequate health care for poorer communities. Definitions and common causes will be discussed, and examples will be provided. This essay will then go on to describe a policy that aims to address the impact of health inequalities on physical and mental health.
Health inequalities such as income impact significantly an individual’s physical and mental health. According to the definition, “Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society. Health inequalities arise because of the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work, and age” (NHS England definition). These inequalities impact a range of socio-economic and deprived areas. Evidence shows that groups living in more underprivileged areas tackle the worst health inequalities, for example, they have less access to medical care, have poorer experiences, and have inadequate results. The fundamental causes of health inequalities are down to an unequal distribution of income, power, and wealth. These vital causes also impact the circulation of wider environmental influences on health, such as the availability of work, education, and good-quality housing. Children in the poorest 20% have almost double the chance of losing their life before the age of 5, compared to the wealthiest 20%. This is due to the income of their household, which limits their housing standard and health access. There are gender-based health inequalities, such as healthy life years, mortality, and morbidity risks, some are partly due to the socially constructed roles of men and women. A good example is the pay difference between men and women, meaning women have to work harder to have the same standard of life as men. The pension gap also means older women are at risk of social exclusion and poverty, which causes less access to health services. Women also have fewer years of good health. Even though women have a higher life expectancy than men, poorer health, birthing complications, and postnatal depression add to the need for more access to health care.
Income as a health inequality affects many individuals worldwide, an individual’s income dictates their life condition, for example, a person with a low income most likely lives in a rural and poorer area, has less access to medical assistance, and is likely to live a more unhealthy and shorter life. However, if a person’s income is higher, their quality of life improves, for example, a person with a higher income most likely lives in a safer and wealthier area, has access to medical assistance and private health care, and is likely to live a longer and healthier life. On the other hand, with a higher income some people will take the opportunity to drink excessive amounts of alcohol, eat richer food, or have access to illegal drugs and substances such as cocaine and heroin, which can cognitively impair an individual and cause permanent damage to a person’s health. It also can impact mental and physical health and lead to issues such as obesity, alcohol dependence, depression, or anxiety.
Income dictates where a person can afford to live. Low-income areas tend to be more deprived and rural than higher-income communities. In these areas, there may be fewer educational books available in schools and fewer opportunities for parents to be able to afford further learning activities for their children. This has an impact on the physical and mental well-being of both parents and children.
There is evidence to suggest that mental health problems vary according to socioeconomic position. Greater inequalities in health are observed in societies where there are greater inequalities in wealth. Those in secure employment tend to report better levels of mental health compared with those in insecure employment or those who are unemployed. Individuals with a poorer socio-economic status have a higher chance of suffering from depression. Vaster socio-economic difficulties are associated with greater suicide risk, predominantly among males. It is thought that individuals of a lower economic position are likely to have a lower social status, essentially causing isolation, which impacts a person’s mental health and ability to participate in the economy and is more likely to suffer due to poverty.
Income can cause individuals to feel isolated from others as a result of differences between earnings, for example, an individual from an underprivileged background with a minimum wage job may not have enough money to live on, leaving them with fewer opportunities to socialize with their peers and join in with non-essential activities. This can have an effect on mental well-being. People communicate through social media and through digital devices nowadays, however, with a low income that can barely be used to pay mandatory bills, many people don’t get to experience this privilege. This lowers an individual’s connection with the outside world and can lead to a lack of self-esteem.
Low income of parents can have a detrimental effect on their children when they do not have the latest trainers, clothing or mobile phones, etc., and are then ridiculed or bullied by their peers whose parents are in a higher income bracket. These children who come from lower-income homes may suffer from stress, anxiety, and poorer health due to exclusion by classmates, lack of confidence, and possibly going hungry or having less use of facilities such as hot water adding to their stress levels, which inevitably impact on their studies, learning ability and how they communicate with others. This, in turn, has an impact on the parent’s emotional well-being and mental health and can add to the anxiety of being able to provide for their children.
Food banks are charity-based groups that operate for no profit and help those who struggle to afford enough food to eat. Food distributed at a food bank is mostly donated by members of the public and sometimes supermarkets will donate short-dated products for the charity to give out rather than the products being thrown away and wasted. Items that may be provided at a food bank include cereals, tinned goods, pasta and rice, bread and milk, and other food products. It is not only food that is available, but other everyday goods are issued to people who are struggling, for example, nappies and baby wipes, soap and deodorant, washing powder, and toilet rolls, which are essential items but not always affordable to the unemployed or people on low incomes.
Mental and physical health are associated with poverty, and people in low-income areas are more likely to be affected by depression and anxiety. Lack of money can lead to stress, which impacts a person’s personality and confidence, which, in turn, can be detrimental to health. Low income and unemployment can increase the likelihood of a person depending on a food bank to help provide some essential items to enable them to feed themselves and their families.
For most people who use the food banks in their area, it is a last resort, and they often can feel embarrassed that they cannot provide for themselves and their families without resorting to accepting charity. It is important that volunteers provide a welcome word and can have a non-judgmental conversation with people who are ashamed to attend. The volunteers are also able to provide information and make suggestions about other charities or organizations that may offer benefits or income support.
In conclusion, income as a health inequality affects mental and physical health in many ways. Some of these have been outlined within this essay. Health inequalities have been defined and common causes and examples have been provided throughout. Other health inequalities such as gender and location have been discussed and evidence has also been given to support this information. The issue of low income and the necessity of people being forced to rely on food banks to help them provide for families and how they can address income as health inequality, as well as the importance that these food banks have of providing help and support for people who are struggling with lack of income.
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