Abstracts Category : Other

Towards equity with disadvantaged communities: some investigations focusing on food and housing as determinants of health

by Belinda Crawford

In Australia, like many other countries, the most disadvantaged members of society tend to have the poorest health. The inequalities experienced by disadvantaged communities may be explained by differences in the social determinants of health. This thesis reports on six studies that explore issues of food or housing as determinants of health for three disadvantaged groups in Sydney: young people experiencing homelessness, people of low socioeconomic status and public housing tenants. For the first three studies, a mixed-methods approach was used to investigate food insecurity, nutrition, physical activity and interest in cycling among young people accessing support from specialist homelessness services. A collaborative approach between government and non-government organisations is required to investigate food provision, trial interventions to improve food access and advocate for changes to the health and welfare systems to enable more equitable outcomes for disadvantaged young people. The fourth and fifth studies detail two components of a community food assessment of supermarkets and farmers markets. The fourth study is a food basket survey comparing the cost of staple foods and the variety and quality of fresh fruit and vegetables in high and low socioeconomic suburbs. In the fifth study, questionnaires were undertaken to explore different types of farmers markets, as well as the backgrounds and motivations of customers and stallholders to attend these markets. Study findings highlight the need to develop and implement targeted strategies to improve food access and availability and address disparities for low socioeconomic groups. For the sixth study, a Health Impact Assessment was undertaken to identify the potential positive and negative health impacts of public housing estate renewal and tenant relocation programs. Best practice recommendations are suggested to improve the processes of relocation and increase health and social outcomes for public housing tenants. This thesis represents an important contribution to new public health knowledge in the area of food and housing as determinants of health for young people experiencing homelessness, low socioeconomic groups and public housing tenants. Study findings will inform public health policy and interventions to promote health equity and improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged communities.Advisors/Committee Members: Torvaldsen, Siranda, Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW, Byun, Roy, Centre for Oral Health Strategy, NSW Health, Faculty of Dentistry, USyd, Seale, Holly, Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW.