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The Impact of Social Determinants on The Health Behaviors and Outcomes
of Southeast Asian CALD Communities in Australia.
Student name: Judith Chemase
Institution: Torrens University
Lecturer:
Date:
Introduction
Australia is home to many traditions, languages, and cultures. It is home
to immigrants from all corners of the world. Cultural diversity has positive and
negative impacts in that it has been a primary source of unity and a significant
challenge to the public sector. The most spoken language in Australia is English, but
there are also 300 other languages spoken in the country, including Arabic,
Mandarin, Cantonese, and Vietnamese (
Truong et al., 2023)
. The diverse languages
have contributed to multiculturalism and have led to many traditions, customs, and
beliefs that enrich Australia with a mixed social heritage.
An essential component of Australia's multicultural ground is the unique
presence of Southeast Asian CALD groups. They comprise the main population
composition groups in these culturally and linguistically diverse regions (
Khatri &
Assefa, 2022)
. Like many other CALD groups, these inhabitants face various health-
related concerns.
English is the most spoken language in multicultural Australia, and it is also
essential to consider the significance and spread of other languages spoken in
Australian communities (
Gray et al., 2023)
. More than three hundred languages are
spoken in the country besides English. Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, and
Vietnamese are among the most spoken languages in Australia, making it a
multiculturally diverse country due to multiculturalism.
Cultural differences, language barriers, and socioeconomic issues are the
leading causes of health disparities among Southeast CALD communities (
Camit,
2021)
. The health disparities have manifested in limited access to information,
healthcare services, and health education. The limitations have, moreover, led to
health worsening, contributing to chronic health problems. This is due to poor
lifestyle standards, insufficient education on healthcare, and unaffordable health
amenities.
It is necessary to provide culturally sensitive healthcare services and
relevant health education to address these issues in these diverse language groups
(
Renzaho, 2023)
. Community measurements and external programs can
significantly improve the healthcare of Southeast CALD communities in Australia.
Health professionals should also educate the inhabitants on the appropriate and
essential healthcare knowledge to promote good health and healthy services.
The cultural diversity in Australia has made the nation multicultural.
Multiculturalism has a negative and good impact. It has led to social variety,
enhancing social interactions and culture borrowing (
Doolan et al., 2022)
. The
presence of many languages, cultures, and traditions has also increased the social
fabric amongst the inhabitants. Multiculturalism has, however, presented unique
challenges to healthcare, limiting the quality of health services offered.
Social Determinants of Health
The numerous social determinants of health that impact the health
outcomes of CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) communities from
Southeast Asia in Australia are significant. Multiple elements are included in these
variables, such as socioeconomic status, level of education, employment prospects,
and availability of social support systems (
Truong et al., 2023)
. The ability of these
groups to adopt healthy behaviors and obtain high-quality healthcare services can
be considerably impacted by socioeconomic differences.
Disparities in healthcare utilization may result from the way people from
Southeast Asian backgrounds interact with the healthcare system, being impacted
by language hurdles and cultural norms (
Camit, 2021)
. These differences may be
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made worse by racism, discrimination, and cultural isolation, all of which increase
stress and have a detrimental effect on mental health. Moreover, the strength of
community and family ties within Southeast Asian communities can either serve as
a source of support or, in some cases, lead to cultural practices that influence
health behaviors.
Thus, addressing these social determinants of health is vital to promoting
health equity and improving the healthcare utilization of CALD communities from
Southeast Asia in Australia. Furthermore, the depth of family and community bonds
within Southeast Asian populations can lead to cultural customs that impact health
behaviors or act as a source of support (
Gallegos et al., 2020)
. Therefore, enhancing
the healthcare consumption of CALD communities from Southeast Asia in Australia
and promoting health equity depends on tackling these social determinants of
health.
Immigrants from the Southeast region make up a considerable fraction of the
CALD populations in the Australian multicultural society (
Lakin & Kane, 2023)
. The
ecological model considers three levels of influence: intrapersonal, interpersonal,
and communal levels, and they are used to understand the factors affecting the
health of Southeast Asian migrants and how they have resultantly caused
disparities in the health department.
Individual level
Personal traits and actions are significant intrapersonal factors that
influence health outcomes. Amongst the Southeast Asian migrants, variables such
as healthcare beliefs, social and economic levels, and education are of importance
(
Khatri & Assefa, 2022)
. Sticking to the Australian lifestyle may affect one's health
habits. When seeking medication or a specific cure, those with barbaric or
strengthened cultural norms may encounter cultural obstacles and linguistic
obstacles resulting from language barriers.
In addition to that, low socioeconomic status and lower education levels
can hinder access to proper and quality healthcare (
Gallegos et al., 2020)
. This
poses a significant problem to individuals from such backgrounds as they can't
afford essential health services. Moreover, Cultural beliefs may influence health-
seeking behaviors, leading to reliance on traditional or alternative cures or remedies
rather than public healthcare. This is because individuals may fear and cannot
express themselves. Their health concerns would, therefore, be at significant risk of
worsening.
Interpersonal level
Family and social linkages significantly influence and impact this stage on
the health of the Southeast Asian migrants dwelling in Australia (
Gray et al., 2023)
.
The supportive and united strictness within these communities can ensure
emotional support among individuals. However, at this level, it can also lead to a
financial burden and stress when a family member falls sick, and funds are required
for one's healthcare or related treatment.
At this level, peer influences can affect health behaviors, and people may
tend to do bad things by copying from others. Peer influence can trigger an
individual to smoke or consume alcohol (
Truong et al., 2023)
. Peer influences lead to
the loss of vital morals. Individuals who get to do things out of impact in the long
run will have damaged their health, and they are likely to worsen their healthcare
regimes. Peer influences have thus affected the health of many individuals.
Moreover, stigmatization has contributed to a negative effect on individuals
seeking health care services. People with different body deformities fear
discrimination from within the community, and they are shunned (
Sullivan et al.,
2020)
. They fear exposure and choose to suffer in silence when in need of essential
healthcare services and, in turn, choose to hide. This has dramatically affected
healthcare promotions among the CALD communities as not everyone can be
reached.
Community level
At the community level, Southeast Asian migrants mainly form closely
related communities that share numerous cultural values and practices. These
communities can be a source of support when a united healthcare concern is
availed (
Renzaho, 2023)
. Still, they may also limit exposure to health-promoting
information and services from the Larger Australian society, perhaps due to
language barriers that may arise in the community.
Discrimination and structural factors such as limited access to interpreters
may arise at this level. This limits healthcare services as not all required information
will be obtained by health workers from the individuals. At this level also, there can
be the absence of culturally competent healthcare providers that refrain or deter
the migrants from seeking healthcare (
Mwangi et al., 2023)
. Comprehending how
different factors influence the health of Southeast Asian migrants in Australia is
crucial. It is not only about going to see a doctor but also about considering their
whole life and the people surrounding them to ensure they have equal access to
good healthcare.
Influence of Key Determinants on Health Behaviors and Outcomes
The health-related behaviors and outcomes of CALD groups, mainly
Southeast Asian migrants in Australia, are influenced by several key factors. Social
and economic factors, such as limited income and financial constraints due to
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reduced access to education and employment opportunities, play a significant role
(
Lakin & Kane, 2023)
. Language barriers hinder effective communication between
patients and healthcare providers, affecting the quality of care. Cultural norms and
traditional beliefs also influence healthcare behaviors.
Social support networks influence health outcomes and behaviors in both
positive and negative ways. Because of social constraints and anxiety, people may
be discouraged from seeking proper care because of cultural norms and
stigmatization associated with particular health issues (
Khatri & Assefa, 2022)
. How
CALD Southeast Asian migrants in Australia access and use healthcare facilities and
attain their intended health objectives is greatly influenced by social, cultural, and
economic factors.
Health behaviors are heavily influenced by the social and cultural
environments in which individuals are raised. Cultural beliefs and practices affect
physical activity, food consumption, and diet choices, as well as alcohol
consumption and smoking habits (
Gray et al., 2023)
. These factors can either
promote or compromise health choices. Policymakers and healthcare professionals
must understand and respect these social and cultural influences to design effective
healthcare and social interventions.
Another essential factor to consider is access to healthcare services. Many
people deal with issues including not having enough money, not having health
insurance, and insufficient medical facilities (
Gallegos et al., 2020)
. These obstacles
make it harder for people to get the correct medical care, which worsens healthcare
services and compromises health outcomes. Better access to healthcare is
necessary to enable people to seek timely treatment and preventive care.
The determination of health outcomes is significantly influenced by health
education and awareness. People with higher levels of education are inclined to
make better judgments about their health, such as eating a balanced diet,
exercising frequently, and making decisions about their nutrition (
Doolan et al.,
2022)
. On the other hand, those with low levels of knowledge could find it
challenging to understand and assess medical services, which could result in health
issues. Understanding and upholding a healthy lifestyle requires a high level of
health literacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia's multicultural society brings opportunities and
challenges to the healthcare system. Southeast Asian migrants, like other CALD
communities, face significant health issues influenced by language barriers, cultural
differences, and social and economic instability. To address these disparities,
healthcare policies must consider the unique needs of Southeast Asian migrants
and the broader CALD population. Providing culturally sensitive and affordable
healthcare is essential to ensure the well-being of the entire Australian community,
regardless of their social class or background. Respecting and understanding
diverse social and cultural groups is crucial when tailoring interventions for different
communities. Promoting efficient healthcare involves improving healthcare facilities,
reducing healthcare costs, expanding access to healthcare, and providing health
education to empower individuals to make informed health decisions (
Camit, 2021)
.
This holistic approach is essential for achieving Australia's healthier and more
equitable society.
References
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Health communication and social media in multicultural
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