Health Inequity Experienced by Australian Paediatric Patients : Empirical Analyses of Case Reports

This book provides rare insight into how real children/adolescents’ lives unfold as a result of health inequity. The authors present the findings of empirical research into the health and social circumstances of 61 Australian children/adolescents, as reported by healthcare professionals who attended to their medical needs, revealing how healthcare professionals deal with health inequity on the ground. Profound inequities in the health and wellbeing of children/adolescents worldwide have been the focus of intense research for decades. The extent to which children/adolescents’ health and wellbeing is impacted by violence, poverty, their inability to access integrated healthcare services, parental and adolescent substance abuse, unemployment, poor living conditions, poor nutrition, a fractured social support network, disrupted education, and lack of transportation, is widely recognized. While essential, statistical analyses alone cannot reveal the faces of those experiencing health inequity. This work highlights the need for urgent coordinated action to address health inequity so that children and young people have a chance to lead a full life in good health. It is relevant to researchers and practitioners whose work relates to improving children and young people’s lives. “This book should be required reading for those who influence policies developed by all the sectors mentioned above and their funding and administrative bodies – and politicians in particular” (Anonymous Reviewer). Preface Declarations Acknowledgements Contents About the Authors Abbreviations and Terms Australian States and Territories List of Tables 1 Introduction 1.1 Children and Young People’s Health and Wellbeing Through Different Lenses 1.2 Understanding the Impact of Health Inequity on Children and Young People 1.3 Significance of Research 1.4 Source of Data 1.5 Definitions Used in the Analyses References 2 Methods and Methodology 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Theoretical Paradigm Guiding Analysis 2.3 Sampling Method and Data Quality 2.4 Methods of Analysis References 3 Overview of Social Determinants of Health Findings and Vignettes 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Overview of Social Determinants of Health Findings by Case 3.3 Vignettes 3.4 Summary 4 Results of Health Inequity Analyses 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Demographic Characteristics of the Whole Sample 4.3 Health Inequity 4.4 Social Determinants of Health (SDH) References 5 Discussion of Findings on Social Determinants of Health 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Income & Wealth 5.3 Employment 5.4 Crime & Safety 5.5 Education 5.6 Secondary Consequences of SDH 5.7 Health Systems and Services 5.8 Food Environment 5.9 Housing 5.10 Transport 5.11 Social Environment References 6 Challenges Faced in Addressing the Needs of These Children/Young People 6.1 Introduction 6.2 How ‘Challenge’ is to Be Understood 6.3 Health Professionals 6.4 Families 7 Solutions Adopted for These Children/Young People and Their Families 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Types of Solutions 7.2.1 Improving Continuity of Care 7.2.2 Offering Support to Patient and Family 7.2.3 Linking to Services 7.2.4 Involvement of Foster Care/Child Protection Services 7.2.5 Alleviating Financial Stress 7.2.6 Transport 7.2.7 Engaging Schools 7.2.8 Educating Patients and Families 7.3 Working Towards Resolving Health Inequity 8 Outcomes: How These Children/Young People and Their Families Fared 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Ongoing Issues 8.3 Health Issues Resolved or Improved 8.4 Ongoing Contact with Healthcare Providers 8.5 Related Socio-Economic Issues Resolved or Improved 8.6 Improved Family Outcome 9 Discussion of Challenges, Solutions, and Outcomes 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Complexity of the Australian Healthcare System 9.3 The Cost of Healthcare 9.4 Patient Advocacy and Linking Patients to Services 9.5 The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Addressing Health Inequity 9.6 The Benefits of Addressing Health Inequity and the Cost of Inaction References 10 Conclusions 10.1 Limitations of the Study Reference