Culture is a common ground of group of people sharing ideas, beliefs, values and behaviour which is not restricted to ethnicity (Fanany, 2012). Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries across the world who have their own cultural and social aspects of life. There exist various factors that influences the health of different cultural groups which includes social gradient, social exclusion, unemployment and addiction (Wilkinson & Mormot, 2003). Among the various cultural and ethnic groups, this case study highlights the aspects determining the health and its risks in Chinese-Australian and Homeless-Australian youths’ community and the strategies overcoming those risks. It reviews the literature on the social determinants causing health risks in the specific cultural groups and suggests the best possible approaches dealing with the health problems associated with them.
Chinese-Australian groups Chinese population forms a major part of non-English speaking population in Australia. The Australian population comprises of 2% of the total population of Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2015). With the increasing population of Chinese-Australian there exists various factors that affect the general health condition of the population which includes their health beliefs, dietary consideration and low knowledge about diseases. Culturally based values and beliefs are considered to have the most
These days there are a number of social issues in the community, such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is rampant in today’s society, Australian Drug Foundation states that, “Alcohol is the most widely used psychoactive, or mood-changing, recreational drug in Australia.”(Healey, 2002, p. 11). Underage drinking and binge drinking are some of the problems associated with alcohol abuse.
“Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people have a greater amount of disadvantage and significantly more health problems than the non-Aboriginal & Torres strait Islander population in Australia”
The determinants have a positive or negative effect on the health of individuals and communities (Dudgeon, 2014). Aboriginal health recognizes that social inequalities are associated with health inequality. For example, lack of education, homelessness and low income are clearly associated with ill health and affect human development. This can contribute to chronic stress which impacts on the body's immune system, circulatory system, and metabolic functions resulting in mental health problems (Baum,
Homelessness is a major problem in the United States. An incredibly vulnerable group is the homeless youth due to their young age and lack of education. According to Edidin, Ganim, Hunter, & Karnik (2012) on any particular night in the United States there are ~2 million homeless youth living on the streets, in shelters, or in other temporary accommodation. Youth become homeless for multiple reasons whether it be because they have aged out of foster care, ran from home, were kicked out of their home, or because they have become homeless along with their family members. Within the umbrella categorization of homeless youth there are high at risk subgroups, common misconceptions, and a serious concern of lack of support and medical services.
There has been some major improvement in the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people in the past years, there is still some health issues that remain a problem in the indigenous community which still increase the percentage of mortality and morbidity among the group. As of June 30, 2011, there was an estimated 669,900 Indigenous people across Australia which represent the 3% of total Australian population, where the majority of indigenous Australian live in metropolitan or regional and 8% lives in remote areas of Australia according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (2013). The death rates for indigenous population are much higher compare to non-indigenous population across all age group and largest contributory cause of death are circulatory diseases (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011).
Today in Canada, a rise in youth homelessness is being observed across the country. Despite common assumptions, the issue of street youth is not isolated to Toronto or Montreal, but has become pervasive across the country. Although accurate statistics are impossible to come by, the disturbing reality is that both urban centers and rural communities nationwide, are struggling to provide their youth with adequate, affordable housing. Issues surrounding the supply and affordability of housing, combined with personal circumstances characterized by instability, are distancing youth’s access to housing. These causes and their overall consequences, must be faced before lasting solutions can be shaped by society. Housing Canada’s street youth will
What might explain these statistics, or at least serve as correlations, are the determinants of health. If the reader is not familiar with the determinants of health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides an explanation of them. In essence, these health determinants are factors that have significant impact upon one’s health. The main determinants for health are: socioeconomic status, where the rich and upper classes tend to be healthier; education, where low education is linked to stress, lower self-esteem and poorer health choices; environment, where purer air, cleaner water, healthier workplaces and better housing contribute to being healthier; health services, where access to services and proper equipment all contribute to health; as well as gender, genetics, culture and social behaviour (WHO, 2016). As there are so health determinants, where essays can be written on one alone, it is not within the scope of this essay to critically analyse each determinant for Indigenous Australians. With this in mind, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2014) documents an extensive list of data for Indigenous health, most of which discusses issues which are out-of-scope for this analysis. What is relevant, however, is outlined next. Across the board, in 2011, the Indigenous population was younger than the non-Indigenous population due to high fertility and mortality rates with those
Socioeconomic factors are associated with education, employment, and income, and each, has a substantial influence on the health of Indigenous Australians. Education, which is inaccessible for many Indigenous people, allows for the greater knowledge of health issues, and the increased understanding of both protective behaviors and risk factors. It is a known fact that with a lack of education or one that is poor, there is a increased risk that there will be less employment opportunities – ultimately leading to little or no income. Hence, the vicious poverty cycle is born. Education enables
emphasis was on relationships to family, group and country rather than the development of an
Social environments influence the health and well-being of a population by incorporating norms, values, and broader community characteristics. Healthy social environments include freedom from discrimination and prejudice (Potter and Perry, 2014 ). In particular, populations such as Aboriginal people, LGBTQ, refugees, and recent immigrants experience social exclusion and lack of support from the community. Social marginalization limits people’s access to resources that support health and participation in community activities (Potter & Perry, 2014). It also affects one’s mental health and coping strategies, such as stress from managing low income, discrimination, and decreased self-esteem. The absence of violence and abuse is also a key factor in promoting healthy social environments. Aboriginal people and women are more likely to suffer abuse and assault (Potter & Perry, 2014). Along with some acts that can cause physical injuries, people who are exposed to violence also suffer from academic, financial, psychological, sexual, behavioral, and spiritual consequences. Victimized people are at a high risk for anxiety, depression, substance use, and somatic complaints. Studies have shown that a sense of community belongingness is related to better general health and mental health (Potter & Perry,
Homeless youth are a standout amongst the most underestimated gatherings in our general public. Numerous specialists recognize much more elevated amounts of different issue practices among these adolescent contrasted with their non-homeless associates. The current study analyzed the utility of social capital in foreseeing issue practices among homeless youth.
These groups are different to other indigenous groups around the world. Among Aboriginal peoples, there are a numerous amount of similar historical and contemporary social determinants that have shaped the health and well being of individuals, families, communities and nations. However, distinctions in the origin show and give impact on social determinants and impact on health interventions to make sure they are successful.
Throughout the United States, there are a large number of individuals that goes unnoticed. Hidden in right plain sight, but are overlooked. They can be our friends, family, classmates, or the person standing right next you to at this moment. There are young individuals who are facing the tremendous challenge of being homeless. They are overlooked by many in society. However, there have been countless individuals, groups, organizations dedicated to ending youth homelessness. However, they are confronted with challenges due to the lack of interest. The lack of interest found within society can contribute to barriers to ending youth homelessness.
Youth homelessness in Australia is classified as someone that does not have a roof over his or her head or a stable and secure place. The main factor causing youth homelessness are domestic and family violence which mainly affects women. A home is not just having shelter it is a feeling of being safe, secure, and having privacy. Primary homelessness is people without any sleeping arrangements and are sleeping under bridges, in malls, or deserted buildings. Secondary homelessness is people that move from place to place they can be in hostels, staying with friends and family, boarding houses, and homelessness services. Tertiary homelessness is people that are living in boarding houses for a medium to long term (Huttstcentre, 2013).
Walking through a major city or metropolitan area there are a countless number of people who are wearing old and ripped clothing, carrying bags or pushing grocery carts full of junk, looking like they have not bathed in weeks and most of them holding signs begging for change just so they can eat something that day. Over the past eight years the amount of homeless individuals has continuously decreased throughout the country. Homelessness in America is a serious problem, especially with higher rates in unemployment happening. Americans