Lesson Starter Health inequalities are result of poor

Lesson Starter Health inequalities are result of poor lifestyle CHOICES rather than poor lifestyle CHANCES. Do you agree with this statement? Why/ why not?

What will I learn? • To identify how lifestyle choices can lead to health inequalities. • Understand how to answer a 12 mark analysis question. Success Criteria I can… • Provide evidence of health inequalities in Scotland the UK in terms of Lifestyle choices • Understand how to answer a 12 mark analysis question.

The Equally Well Report The equally well report 2008 and the Inequalities Task Force Report 2010 were set up to report and outline initiatives to improve health and reduce inequalities in Scotland. “It's unacceptable in 21 st century Scotland that some people can expect to die earlier than others, simply due to an accident of birth or circumstances. For that reason alone, the work of the Task Force, as outlined in this report, is worthwhile. Indeed, it is imperative. But it goes further than that. Reducing health inequalities is vital to achieving the Scottish Government's overall purpose: sustainable economic growth. If Scotland is to live up to its potential in terms of economic success, healthy life expectancy must increase - particularly among those whose lives are currently cut short due to deprivation or other inequalities. ” Alex Salmonds foreword in the Equally Well Report. Difference in income is not the only factor to blame for inequalities. Health may also vary according to people's age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation and other individual factors. These interact with socioeconomic status and low income. While the Task Force has been primarily interested in health inequalities that result from socioeconomic circumstances, we have also considered how health and other public services respond to this range of complex factors which affect people's health.

Lifestyle Issues Poverty is a major contributing factor explaining health inequalities. However this does not explain why the health of Scots is worse. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking alcohol, poor diet and lack of exercise impact on health and life expectancy. Studies also show that often people in the poorest groups make the worst health choices. For example, smoking and alcohol consumption rates have been consistently higher among the poorest groups for a number of years. The stress of living on a low income is one reason to explain these poorer lifestyle choices. Lifestyle choices include levels of exercise, diet, eating junk food, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Lifestyle Issues • Social Class and Obesity • Lifestyle and Smoking • Alcohol and Drug Abuse

1. Social Class and Obesity is a class issue. The lowest social class has levels of obesity that match American levels. While the highest social class have the lowest obesity levels. It is estimated that obesity costs the NHS in Scotland £ 457 million every year, the drug ill alone is £ 5 million, with some 12, 000 Scots taking obesity drugs. At present, an estimated 3400 people die in Scotland as a direct result of obesity every year. Linked to income- 13% of women in the most deprived 20% of the population ate five portions of fruit and veg- compared to 28% in the top 20%. In 2018, 22% of adults met the 5 -a day recommendation. Members of the Scottish Obesity Alliance have written to the First Minister urging her to include plans for these regulations as part of her legislative programme to be announced next month. The letter calls for restrictions on multi-buy deals on food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt, warning obesity in Scotland is facing a "major public health crisis". The alliance highlights almost a third of adults (29%) in Scotland are obese, as are 13% of children, according to figures from a Scottish Government report last October.

2. Lifestyle and Smoking is an issue that is linked to social class and poverty. 2012 -36% of adults in the most deprived areas of Scotland were smokers. Linked to poverty (reduction from 45% in 1999). In 2010, 47% of adults in deprived areas of Scotland were smokers, a higher proportion than in deprived areas of England Wales where the figure was 41%. More women die from lung cancer in Glasgow and Liverpool than anywhere else in the UK. Used to be men but the pattern has changed. This explains why the Scottish Government banned smoking in public places in 2006. Every year there are more than 13, 00 smoking-related deaths in Scotland alone It is clear that smoking is one factor that explains the different mortality rates between the social classes.

3. Alcohol and drug abuse Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to ill health with increased likelihood of illnesses such as cirrhosis of the liver and high blood pressure. Parts of Scotland are blighted by a ‘booze culture’ which according to the NHS kills on average 40 Scots a week. 2010 NHS health survey showed that Scots are more likely to be drinkers than anywhere else in the UK. More likely to binge drink. There is a clear link between alcohol related deaths and deprivation, with some of the most deprived parts of Glasgow and its surrounding areas having an alcohol death rate more than three or four times the UK average. For example, UK average in 2013 - 13 deaths per 100, 000 people, in comparison to Glasgow Shettleston with 26 deaths per 100, 000 people. In 2011 the majority SNP government passed a minimum pricing bill (MUP), this bill was also supported by Dr Harry Burns Scotland chief medical officer. This bill was to lead to fewer alcohol related deaths.

Research task Find 3 up-to-date facts on each of the following lifestyle choices that you could use in an essay- Use the article linked on the blog to help you with this. - Obesity (exercise, diet, junk food etc) - Smoking (male vs female, rates across the UK, related issues) - Alcohol Consumption (rates, links to disease, etc)

Analyse the different lifestyle choices that may result in poor health. (12) Knowledge Points • Poor lifestyle choices include smoking, excess alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, a diet high in salt and fat, drug misuse, or other risk-taking activities • Failure to make best use of preventative care services • Reference to government policies or health initiatives where it is acknowledged that these are a response to poor lifestyle choices, e. g. minimum alcohol pricing • Reference to official reports, e. g. Equally Well 2008 (and Inequalities Task Force Report 2010) Statistical examples that highlight poor health in Scotland or the UK

Analysis • Analysis is how the reader knows that you have understood the question. • KU is facts • Analysis is when you answer the question. • You also need to give an analytical comment. In pairs, think about what KU points you would include in this answer. Smoking Bad diet Alcohol

Analyse Take your KU point and add an analysis point for each. For example: Knowledge Points Analysis Some people continue to smoke cigarettes despite numerous government health warnings. In recent years the Scottish Government have introduced a smoking ban in public places as well as the barring of displaying cigarettes in retail outlets. (2 marks) As a consequence of smoking an individual is more likely to suffer from respiratory illness or lung cancer. Evidence shows that there is a strong link between smoking and lung cancer deaths. Around 90% of all lung cancer deaths are linked to people who smoked before they died. (2 marks analysis) So how does this result in poor health? This would be your ANALYSIS Now do the same for BAD DIET AND ALCOHOL