Workshop slides

1. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Louise Francis
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
ECOLOGY OF HEALTH
A SOCIAL

2. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Learning outcomes
1. Conceptualise an ecological understanding of health and
its determinants;
2. Describe the difference between equity, equality, social
inequity, health inequalities and health gradient; and
3. Discuss the issues associated with social inequalities and
their application to health outcomes.

3. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Overview
 The machinery of ill health
 Determinants of health
 Socio-ecological frameworks of health
 Unnatural causes: In sickness and wealth
(social determinants of health and income inequality)

4. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
THE MACHINERY OF ILL HEALTH
A MODERN PARABLE

5. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activity 1.1: The machinery of ill health
1. What, in your opinion, is the message the story is
trying to convey?
2. What parallels can you draw between this modern
parable and present-day society’s approach to the
health problems of the population?
3. What do you think is the ‘machinery’ that causes
ill health in present-day society?
4. What is needed, then, to prevent ill health?

6. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
In their own words: Zak Kirkup
 Video also available in Module 1 materials on Blackboard

7. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Figure 1. A conceptual framework for determinants of health (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2014)

8. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Dahlgren, G and Whitehead, M (1991) Rainbow model of health in Dahlgren, G (1995) European Health Policy Conference: Opportunities for the future. Vol 11 –
Intersectoral Action for Health. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.

9. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Barton, H. (2005). A health map for urban planners: Towards a conceptual model for healthy, sustainable settlements. Built Environment, 31(4).

10. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power

11. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activity 1.2: Unnatural Causes
 In the video Dr Adewale Troutman says that he promotes
individual responsibility, but always within the context of
social determinants. Why does he link the two? What is
missing if we focus exclusively on individual responsibility?
How does this affect possibilities for change?
 Why do we typically think of health only in terms of health
care and personal behaviours? Where are these
messages coming from? Who benefits from them?

12. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Activity 1.2: Unnatural Causes
 What did Whitehall study reveal about connection between
health and wealth? What is the wealth-health gradient?
 Professor Leonard Syme defines control of destiny as
the “ability to influence the events that impinge on your
life.” Why is this ability an important factor for health?
 Many people, when confronted with evidence of health
inequities, respond that the outcomes are unfortunate but
not necessarily unjust. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Whose responsibility is it to address inequities in health
and in society?

13. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
In their own words: Richard Di Natale
 Video also available in Module 1 materials on Blackboard

14. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Summary
 Health is a socially constructed reality: a product of the
physical and social environment in which we live and act.
 Differences in people’s health status, including gender
differences, arise not only from biological differences but
also from differentials in social and economic status.
 Social determinants of illness can be confronted and
modified by policy interventions. Social justice and equity
are a matter of political will.

15. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key concepts
 Socio-ecological framework
 Social determinants of health
 Social class / social gradient
 Inequity and inequality

16. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Next week
 We will be exploring the political nature of public health –
why is an appreciation of politics so vital for us to be
effective in our practice?

17. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 1: A Social Ecology of Health
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Questions & comments

18. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
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