Health inequalities

Infoforwellbeing
National
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1. Health inequalities

Health inequalities occur in society due to uneven distribution of wealth, power and income. The pandemic has clearly revealed existing health inequalities in our society and highlighted the gap between those who are digitally connected and those that are not.

2. Health inequalities impact on health literacy

If you face health inequalities, due to factors such as:

If you face health inequalities, due to factors such as:Left to right first row Image 1 of 5 Older adult Factor 1 of 5 Your age Image 2 of 5 Person of colour Factor 2 of 5 Ethnicity Image 3 of 5 Person in a wheelchair Factor 3 of 5 Disability Next row Image 4 of 5 Two people holding a large female symbol Factor 4 of 5 Gender Image 5 of 5 Busy street with traffic lights a truck and several cars, several multistorey buildings in the background Factor 5 of 5 Where you live

These factors and a range of other issues, will also impact on your ability to access health information and make informed decisions about your health. For example, if you are disabled and can’t access health information in an accessible format or if you are an older adult and can’t access information online.

3. Poorer health outcomes

People suffering from health inequalities and poor health literacy are more likely to experience: Left to right Image 1 of 4 Bar chart with red arrow indicating an increasing trend Point 1 of 4 A higher prevalence of long term conditions. Image 2 of 4 Hospital building Point 2 of 4 More hospital admissions. Next row Image 3 of 4 Person moving another person in a wheelchair Point 3 of 4 Difficulty managing their own health and wellbeing and those they care for. Image 4 of 4 blister packs of two-coloured capsules Point 4 of 4 Missed appointments and less adherence to prescribed medication.

4. Groups that may experience health literacy barriers

Multicoloured circle of people surrounding a yellow and black barrier with a stop sign. Each person represents a group who may experience barriers and includes clockwise: Shielding groups, people from ethnic minority communities, people whose first language is not English, Unpaid carers, People with learning disabilities, People experiencing homelessness, People with addictions, People with long term physical and mental health conditions, People with physical disabilities, Older people, Traveller groups, Families on low income.

5. Workbook exercise (1)

Workbook Workbook Exercise

Workbook exercise (1)

Think of a time when you have helped someone who was experiencing barriers to accessing health information.

What issues or barriers did they experience?

What sources did you try?

How helpful were they?

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