MCAT psych soc stratification and health disparities

Social Stratification → Definition

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on wealth, power, and prestige.

True or False: Higher socioeconomic status always leads to better health outcomes.

True. Higher SES often correlates with better access to healthcare and healthier living conditions.

Fill in the blank: The ___________ effect describes how social factors influence health.

Social determinants of health

Comparison: Relative vs. Absolute Poverty

Relative: Poor compared to peers. Absolute: Lacks basic needs (food, shelter).

Health Disparities → Definition

Differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare among different population groups.

Question: How does education level affect health?

Higher education levels generally lead to better health literacy and healthier behaviors.

Cause → Effect: Low income → Health outcomes

Low income leads to inadequate nutrition, limited access to healthcare, and poorer health outcomes.

True or False: Race is the only factor in health disparities.

False. Multiple factors including SES, education, and geography influence health disparities.

Comparison: Urban vs. Rural Health Disparities

Urban: Better access to healthcare. Rural: Higher rates of poverty and fewer services.

Question: What roles do neighborhoods play in health?

Neighborhoods influence access to resources, social support, and exposure to health risks.

Health Inequality vs. Health Disparity

Health Inequality: Differences in health status. Health Disparity: Unjust differences linked to social disadvantage.

True or False: Gender does not affect health outcomes.

False. Gender influences health risks and outcomes, including reproductive health issues.

Question: How does income affect access to preventative care?

Higher income individuals are more likely to afford preventative care, leading to better health outcomes.

Social Determinants of Health → Examples

Income, education, social support, healthcare access, neighborhood environment.

Fill in the blank: ___________ refers to the way societal structures influence individual health.

Structuration theory

Question: What is the impact of chronic stress on health?

Chronic stress can lead to hypertension, weakened immune response, and mental health disorders.

Comparison: Public vs. Private Health Insurance

Public: Government-funded, more accessible. Private: Employer-based, can be cost-prohibitive.

True or False: All health disparities can be eliminated with better healthcare access.

False. Health disparities are complex and also stem from social and economic factors.

Question: What is the role of social capital in health?

Social capital enhances community support, improving health outcomes and access to resources.

Cause → Effect: Lack of access to healthy food → Health issues

Leads to obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health problems.

Health disparities definition

Differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare across different groups based on social, economic, and environmental factors.

True or False: Health disparities are only about economic inequality.

False: Health disparities also encompass race, ethnicity, and geographic location.

Example of health disparity

Higher rates of diabetes in African American communities compared to white communities.

Leading cause of health disparities

Social determinants of health: income, education, environment, and access to healthcare.

Fill in the blank: __________ leads to increased health risks.

Low socioeconomic status

Comparison: Rural vs. Urban health access

Rural areas often have fewer healthcare facilities than urban areas, leading to disparities in health access.

Impact of education on health

Higher education levels correlate with better health outcomes and more health literacy.

True or False: Access to healthcare eliminates health disparities.

False: Access alone does not address systemic issues like discrimination and cultural barriers.

Health outcomes of minority groups

Minority groups often experience higher rates of chronic illnesses and lower life expectancy.

Cause → Effect: Poor housing conditions

Lead to respiratory diseases and increased mental health issues in affected populations.

Term: Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, creating overlapping systems of disadvantage.

Public health interventions

Target disparities by improving access to care, education, and community resources.

Question: What is the social gradient in health?

The concept that health improves as socioeconomic status increases.

Short example of a healthcare disparity

Lack of insurance disproportionately affects low-income individuals, limiting their access to necessary health services.

Effect of racism on health

Chronic stress from racism can lead to physical health issues, such as hypertension.

Determinant of health: Environment

Includes factors like air quality, water quality, and neighborhood safety affecting health outcomes.

Question: How does income inequality affect health?

Higher income inequality is associated with worse health outcomes for lower-income individuals.

True or False: Genetics solely determine health disparities.

False: Social and environmental factors play significant roles in health outcomes.

Health literacy definition

The ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed for making informed decisions.

Impact of social isolation on health

Increases risk of mental health issues and chronic diseases among affected individuals.

Define socioeconomic status (SES).

SES is an individual's or group's social standing based on income, education, and occupation.

How does low SES affect health outcomes?

Low SES is linked to higher rates of chronic illnesses, limited access to healthcare, and poorer health behaviors.

True or False: Higher SES guarantees better health outcomes.

False. While higher SES often correlates with better health, access to resources and individual choices also matter.

Fill in the blank: ____ can limit access to healthcare.

Economic barriers can limit access to healthcare.

List three health outcomes associated with low SES.

- Higher infant mortality - Increased prevalence of obesity - Greater rates of mental health disorders

What role does education play in health?

Higher education levels are associated with better health literacy, leading to proactive health management.

Comparison: Medicaid vs. Private Insurance.

Medicaid: Public assistance for low-income individuals. Private Insurance: Coverage purchased by individuals or employers.

How does neighborhood environment affect health?

Low SES neighborhoods often lack healthcare facilities, healthy food options, and safe spaces for exercise.

True or False: Poor health can lead to lower SES.

True. Health issues can result in job loss and increased medical expenses, lowering SES.

Cause → Effect: Low SES → ?

Low SES can lead to limited access to healthcare services.

What is health literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand health information to make informed decisions.

List two chronic diseases more prevalent in low SES populations.

- Diabetes - Heart Disease

Fill in the blank: Access to healthcare is often determined by _____.

socioeconomic factors.

What barriers do low-income individuals face in healthcare access?

Transportation issues, lack of insurance, and inability to pay for services.

True or False: SES has no impact on mental health.

False. Lower SES is associated with higher levels of stress and mental health disorders.

List three strategies to improve health outcomes in low SES communities.

- Increase access to healthcare - Enhance health literacy programs - Provide nutritious food options

How does employment status affect health?

Unemployment can lead to financial stress, loss of health insurance, and deterioration of mental health.

What is the relationship between race and SES in health?

Minority groups often experience lower SES, leading to increased health disparities.

Comparison: Preventive care vs. Reactive care.

Preventive care: Services to prevent illness. Reactive care: Services after illness occurs.

How does access to healthy food relate to SES?

Low SES often means limited access to healthy food options, leading to poor nutrition and health outcomes.

Cultural beliefs → Health behaviors

Cultural beliefs influence health behaviors such as diet, exercise, and healthcare utilization.

True or False: Culture has no impact on health disparities.

False: Culture significantly shapes health behaviors and access to care, leading to disparities.

Fill in the blank: _______ can dictate perceptions of illness.

Culture can dictate perceptions of illness.

Examples of cultural health practices

- Herbal medicine - Traditional healing - Dietary restrictions

Cultural competence in healthcare → _____

Improves patient-provider communication and health outcomes.

Question: How does acculturation affect health?

Acculturation can lead to changes in health behaviors, potentially increasing risk for chronic diseases.

Cultural stigma → Delayed treatment

Cultural stigma around certain conditions can lead to individuals delaying or avoiding treatment.

Comparison: Individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures

Individualistic cultures emphasize personal health; collectivistic cultures prioritize community health.

Question: What role does language play in health disparities?

Language barriers can hinder patient understanding and access to healthcare services.

Cultural health rituals → Examples

- Healing ceremonies - Prayer - Ritual cleansings

Cause → Effect: Cultural norms

Cultural norms can dictate health behaviors, affecting disease prevalence in communities.

Cultural narratives → Health understanding

Cultural narratives shape how individuals interpret symptoms and health information.

Question: How does socioeconomic status interact with culture?

SES can influence cultural practices, affecting health access and behaviors.

True or False: All cultural groups have the same health beliefs.

False: Health beliefs vary widely across different cultural groups.

Cultural influences on mental health

Stigma and beliefs shape treatment seeking behavior and acceptance of mental illness.

Question: Why is cultural awareness important in health education?

It allows for tailored health messages that resonate with diverse populations.

Health disparities → Cultural factors

Cultural factors contribute to health disparities through beliefs, practices, and access.

Role of tradition in health

Traditions can guide health practices and influence healthcare decisions in communities.

Cultural influences on diet → Examples

- Food preferences - Dietary restrictions - Meal preparation practices

Fill in the blank: _______ affects health literacy.

Culture affects health literacy.