Vision for SA
Targets and strategies
Download the factsheet
Case studies
Tell us your story
People who are disadvantaged in income, education, housing and employment, also have higher rates of illness and mortality.
Chronic long term illness such as asthma, diabetes type 2, circulatory system diseases, arthritis, and diseases of the ear and mastoid are overrepresented amongst disadvantaged groups while tooth decay and gum disease also disproportionately affect children and adults from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Low birthweights are an indicator of pre-natal health and wellbeing, particularly the health of the mother. Children with a low birthweight have a higher likelihood of further health problems as they grow. In Indigenous communities low-weight births are up to three times more likely than for the rest of the population.
People from disadvantaged groups make less use of preventative and primary health care but are represented in larger numbers in the chronic and critical care stages. Planning for public health service provision will need to be firmly based on the requirements and location of populations.
Prevention, primary care and the management of chronic illness will need to be adequately resourced and placed into community environments that are able to provide accessible, coordinated and culturally appropriate care.
Vision for SA
SACOSS seeks the elimination of health status inequities across all population groups, and the establishment of a primary health care focus for wellbeing in the state.
Targets and strategies
The Campaign’s targets and strategies to achieve its visions for South Australia are constantly being developed. The first development, entitled Building on the Blueprint and released in September 2005, can be downloaded here. It is to be read in conjunction with Extending Opportunity to All: a blueprint for the elimination of poverty in South Australia.
Case Studies
Shirley’s story
Shirley is in her mid thirties and had a very difficult history. She
has had no teeth for approximately 5 years since the teeth were surgically
removed, and she has been on the waiting list for dentures, both in Victoria
and SA, all this time. Due to her physical appearance Shirley has faced
discrimination in the private rental market and employment and it affects the
perception of Shirley in society.
submitted 18 march 2005
Pam’s story
Yesterday I cooked silverside for tea with vegetables, but I didn’t
have any potatoes so I went out and dug some straight from the garden, which
gave me enough for a meal. They grew straight from potato peelings, too, so
they didn’t cost me anything. It’s great to know that something is there when
things get desparate.
submitted 01 june 2005, courtesy Food & Health & Wellbeing Group,
Noarlunga
Gerry’s story
One of my children has had chronic fatigue syndrome for many years. A large
part of his pension is spent on health care and non PBS vitamins. He lives at
home, for with his health costs he could not afford to live in his own
accommodation. He also experiences other medical conditions such as asthma, and
social isolation. He cannot work, although he would like to be able to.
Future changes to the DSP eligibility may force other young people in situations like my son’s into impossible financial situations. It is extremely difficult for any young people to get regular work, and those who have medical disabilities and are not able to tolerate chemicals etc will have little options in the workplace of the future. An ageing carer population, who also face increased health issues and reduced incomes, are also a hidden part of the increasing poverty factor.
It is simply not a question of not being able to manage our
financial resources, but the decreasing value of the money we do have, to meet
our escalating food, housing and health care costs on a fixed income.
submitted 09 september 2005
Tell us your story
Type your own story relating to Health and Wellbeing in the space below and click the Submit button, to contribute to our case studies file. If you fill in your name and contact details then we can get in touch with you to clarify any issues before your story goes on the website, but we will not give your details to anyone, and your story will remain anonymous with a different name listed on the website.