It shows that the rate of death in (I) is 3.98 and 2.15, whereas in (V), the death rates are dramatically higher; 9.88 and 5.31.
How mortality ranges from different regions of the UK
Also from The Black Report, is this table showing mortality rates differ from different regions. The South East is shown to have a lower rate of mortality, and the East Midlands has the highest.
Life expectancy and health is not equal across the country. 'People living in different socioeconomic environments face very different risks of ill health and death' - http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnk=1382.
A good explanation as to why lower social classes are disadvantaged within health is because they are 'low class'. Social class depends on what level occupation a person has, and undoubtedly education plays a huge role in finalising this. So being of lower social class tends to affect other factors. People in lower class tend to have less money, live in more deprived areas etc. This also affects a low class families’ children, as they grow up disadvantaged with the same expectations, and may not have access to further and higher education.
Below table shows that smoking is more common in lower socio-economic groups, which will contribute more to morbidity and mortality.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=6408
The use of tobacco is also more likely within lower socioeconomic groups than higher. This hugely effects health and contributes to the high morbidity/mortality statistics. The choice of smoking as one's lifestyle factor is a choice completely made on the own individuals reasons, however it may be fair to suggest that smoking could be down to a growing trend around lower classes.
'Cigarette smoking is lower among households classified as professional and managerial (15 per cent) than among those classified as routine and manual (26 per cent).' - http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=313
Also a poor diet is more likely, as there is less money to be spent, it can be thought that buying unhealthy food is cheaper than buying healthy food.
The Government is trying to tackle these inequalities. The Government are attempting to reduce the gap between the disadvantaged groups and to improve health overall.
‘The new strategy will challenge the NHS, as a key player, to live up to its founding and enduring values of universality and fairness addressing unjustified gaps in health status, fair access to NHS services for all and good outcomes for all.' - Department of Health
Socio economic factors that affect health
Diet - Diet is an issue that is very important to health. Previously, malnutrition was the common problem in society. These days, it is not too little food that is causing concern; but too much. Obesity is soaring. ‘Overweight and obesity are increasing. The percentage of adults who are obese has roughly doubled since the mid-1980's.’ -
‘About 46% of men in England and 32% of women are overweight (a body mass index of 25-30 kg/m2), and an additional 17% of men and 21% of women are obese (a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2 ).’ -
There is a misconception that healthy food is more expensive to purchase, so a lot of people prefer to buy unhealthy food, also for the convenience.
Obesity is associated with many health problems, one being High Blood Pressure.
Media - The media can have a range of affects on individuals as it is so broad. The media can portray negative messages in relation to health; celebrities, magazines, models etc. may influence an unhealthy body image onto people, especially people more vulnerable to this; teenagers. However positively, the media is able to gain people’s attention, therefore promote good messages to the public, e.g. healthy eating campaigns from advertising. The media is also there to entertain the public, which can be a good thing for a persons psychological health.
Employment Status - A person’s occupation represents what social class he or she is in. An occupation affects money and money effects housing and location and a person’s lifestyle as a whole in general. Being unemployed would make a person’s social needs and frame of mind suffer. ‘The idea that social isolation is bad for health is also supported by self-report studies that show housewives, the unemployed and the retired as reporting significantly poorer health than those who are employed’ - http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Health-and-Social-Class.htm
Environmental factors that affect health
Differences
Noise pollution is common Less access to services
More cluttered Higher number of suicides thought
More road accidents to be due to isolation
Air pollution is common
Pollution
Air Pollution affects health as air is inhaled. This can cause respiratory problems.
Noise pollution could cause higher levels of stress and rest deprivation.
Bibliography
http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/ih/part1b.htm
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=6408
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnk=1382.
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthinequalities/index.htm