Local Government Area LGA Essay 2 Sample
The Assessment Task:
This assessment is a written (Word document) reflective essay, which builds (scaffolds) on the TWO chosen determinants of health in the Assessment Task 1 presentation related to the same Local Government Area (LGA) chosen in Assessment Task 1. You are required to produce an academic essay about your chosen LGA and your chosen TWO determinants of health undertaken in Assessment Task 1. Local government areas (LGAs) differ across Australia and Victoria. The health needs of a community are unique and specific to the area within which the community is located. Determining what those specific health needs are requires a reflective analysis to gain further understanding of the complex elements that contribute to the health status of that LGA community - which we can call a "community profile".
Logical essay headings should include:
Introduction
· A brief overview of the chosen Local Government Area (LGA)
Examination of Health Determinant 1
· Examination of the first chosen health determinant
· How it impacts the health of the community within the LGA
. Identify what are the protective or risk factors for this community and what relevant resources and support services are available for the risk factors.
· Relevant data/statistics
. Discuss one relevant health policy for this health determinant related to this community
Examination of Health Determinant 2
· Examination of the second chosen health determinant
· How it impacts the health of the community within the LGA
· Identify what are the protective or risk factors for this community and what relevant resources and support services are available for the risk factors.
· Relevant data/statistics
. Discuss one relevant health policy for this health determinant related to this community
Strategies and Recommendations
· Discuss potential strategies or interventions that could improve health outcomes related to the examined determinants
· Recommendations for local government, healthcare providers, or community
organizations
Conclusion/summary
Summarise key points and draw conclusions
Here is the Federal Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care main page. As you might appreciate - it is the main national public 'mouthpiece' for reporting Federal health promotion/health policy priorities and strategies. Have a browse through.
Currently - the focus is on the Federal Budget (2023-2024). Remember - funding and resourcing is key to an effective national preventative/health promotion strategy. Other priorities are Covid-19 vaccination - and Aged Care Reform.
Each State/Territory has its own version of web pages devoted to health care. For instance, this is the link to Vic Health. Explore this site - and look to see how the priorities align with the Federal Government Department of Health policy. Browse, for instance, their Strategic Plan - 2023-2027. Do you see policy priorities that filter down to your chosen LGA level?
Assessment
The required health policy that you choose for each of your TWO determinants of health will be what politically 'drives' the process and extent to which local LGA government is effective (or not) in implementing broader health policy. Usually, health policy stems from Federal government and filters down to State and then the LGA level. The 'interpretation' of that policy, when successful, should positively impact social determinants as they relate to and affect the overall health of the LGA population.
So - for Assessment 2 - start off by investigating if you can see where the Federal health policy starts and how it filters down to the local community level. This is a bit of detective work to be done early on - and usually means exploring various government department sites - related to social determinants i.e. Department of Health and Aged Care, Department of Education etc - at the federal and State levels.
When we are 'critiquing' health policy - which is what you are doing in this Assessment -
we can ask a number of questions to give us insight and allow us to critically reflect/examine/evaluate the effectiveness of health policy process. Such as:
What are the social determinant/health priorities? How has this been communicated or acted upon?
What strategies have Federal/State governments put in place?
How have councils and community responded at the local level?
What has been the community’s reaction to these measures?
What specific policies were created?
How have policies remained current or change when needed?
Who informed the policies or decisions?
How have supportive environments been created from a Federal, State or local level?
Who are the key community stakeholders involved?
How have access and infrastructure issues been addressed?
How have equity and equality issues been addressed?
Solution
Introduction
A local government area LGA is a geographical region or administrative division within a country that is managed and governed by local authorities. Local government areas are established to facilitate the delivery of public services and administration at local level. In this reflective essay, I have chosen the city of Casey as the LGA. Casey is situated in the southeast of Melbourne's central business district and from there it is around 45 kilometres away. The population of the LGA was around 350000 in 2021 which has been growing significantly. The city is known for its cultural diversity and has emerged as one of the growing areas in Australia. I have provided a detailed overview of how Income and housing may be termed as health determinants. University Assignment Help, I believe that income and housing have significant implications on health within the community in the LGA so I have evaluated how income disparity has led to change in the health of certain groups of individuals and I have also provided certain strings and recommendations which would help in dealing with challenges related to health determinants and income.
Examination of health determinant 1
Examination of income as health determinate
According to my understanding, income directly affects an individual's ability to access healthcare services. Higher-income individuals often have better access to quality healthcare including health insurance, regular check-ups and timely medical treatments. As per the view of (Turner-Musa et al. 2020), in the UN data, it was seen that around 55 per cent of the population the world lacks insurance and social assistance. I believe that income loss significantly increases the risk of poverty which can impact the well-being of the people due to not getting enough food that would help them to survive. As per my belief, income plays a pivotal role in the well-being of human beings. The social determinants of the health framework recognise that income is just one of several interconnected factors influencing health outcomes.
Impact of income on the health of the community within the LGA
In the city of Casey, 7.7 per cent of the population earns an income of 2000 dollars in a week (Id, 2023). That is very concerning as the population of the city is more than 300000 which is getting affected by the disparity in incomes. The income disparity among the people of Casey has led to many discrimination and inequalities.. I think that residents with lower income can face barriers while accessing healthcare services, which may include lack of health insurance, limited transportation options and affordability issues. This can result in delayed or forgone medical care, which can lead to more severe damage to the health of people.
Protective or risk factors
There are multiple positive elements that the city of Casey has implemented to provide better health and care to the people living in the city. Public education and media campaigns are one of the protective steps taken by the city to combat any inequality by the weapon of education (Royalcommission, 2023). I believe that education will provide information to the people about the disparity and make them aware of the conditions of the people. The City of Casey also uses the revenue and rating strategy which provides the proper valuation of the property that people own (Casey, 2023). I feel that by doing this the money that goes under the table will stop and the price that has been set will benefit the people belonging to the lower-income group.
I believe that the income disparity can become a potential risk factor, as according to (Id, 2023), surprisingly only7.7 percent of the population living in the city of Casey averages more than 2,000 dollars per week and the rest of the population averages well below that. This has significantly raised the disparity in the living standard of the people. I believe that the disparity has led to not getting access to healthcare facilities and the basic amenities that are required for survival. After the pandemic the global economy has been struck and the inflation rate around the globe is increasing. This has impacted the common people and their needs for basic amenities.
Relevant statistics and facts
In the city of Casey, the median weekly household income is around 1554 dollars and the median monthly mortgage repayments are around 1733 dollars (Id, 2023). This clearly states that the income of the people is not satisfactory as the cost of living is much higher than the income of the people. According to me, this has also led to income disparity among people which has raised many inequality and disparity in getting services as basic as quality healthcare.
Effective Health Policy for Income Determinant
Casey is considered as Australia’s one of the fastest growing municipality and people are living here due to its amenities and attractions. I believe that income has become one of the major challenges that has emerged as one of the health determinants which has affected millions of people around the world. In the city of Casey the income disparity has been very relevant and to counter this the local government bodies and the central government have introduced an inclusive Casey strategic framework 2018-21 (Casey, 2023). As per my understanding, this framework provides a map for developing a safe and inclusive community. This framework respects all individuals and their personal beliefs. I believe this would help in fighting the disparity that people face due to income. An inclusive society will help in combating this social injustice.
Examination of Health Determinant 2
Examination of housing as health determinate
As per the view of (Rolfe et al. 2020), housing is a crucial social determinant of health as it plays a significant role in influencing an individual's or community's health outcomes. Poor housing conditions can affect the health of people residing in those houses. The population of the city has been growing rapidly and so the demand for housing has also grown in the city. In the year 2021, around 365239 people were living in the city with an average household size of 3.06 (Id, 2023). I understand that, normally, housing becomes an important part of peoples’ lives and it also has health impacts on the people. The constant pressure of having housing and purchasing housing which costs millions has disrupted the mental well-being of the people. The median price of housing in the city of Casey is around 815000 dollars which is almost a million dollars (Realestate, 2023).
Impact of housing on the health of the community within the LGA
The population of the city is increasing rapidly and the prices of housing are also skyrocketing. In the city, the average income of an adult is merely 2000 dollars per week only 7.7 per cent of the Casey's population earn this much money and the rest are below this (Id, 2023). The cost of housing in the city is also around 815000 dollars which is veer expensive as per the income of the people (Realestate, 2023). As per my analysis, the immense rise in the demand for housing has affected the availability of housing and also has impacted the affordability of the housing and the well-being of the residents both physically and mentally.
Protective or risk factors
Some of the protective steps taken by the local body are providing affordable housing to the people living in Casey. There is a huge need for affordable and safe housing for the residents and there is also a need for building more affordable housing. As the population of the city is growing these steps will help the local government body to provide affordable housing to their residents, as per my research.
My understanding tells me that, the other protective factor is to regulate the materials that are being used in building these houses. It is very important that the local bodies maintain the quality of the products so that the safety of housing is ensured and does not create any kind of inconvenience to the residents. The potential risk factors that involved are the rate and prices of housing in Casey. The price of housing has increased over the years and now it stands at the median range of 815000 dollars (Realestate, 2023). I think that this has inflicted damage to the residents and it has impacted their mental well-being. Due to the rapid increase in the population, the city is not able to accommodate so many people. So it has become another issue for the local government to cater to the large population that is shifting to the city.
Relevant statistics and facts
The current pricing for a house in the city of Casey is around 865000 dollars which is double the amount of the national average (Propertyvalue, 2023). I believe that this has impacted the mental health of the residents and it has also impacted their physical health as the mental pressure is affecting the body, resulting in stress and anxiety which further deteriorates the health of an individual.
Effective Health Policy for Housing Determinant
As per my view, housing has also become one of the factors that is affecting the health of the people. The residents living in the city of Casey are facing overcrowding due to the increase in population and it has also impacted the prices of housing in the city. The price of housing has increased exceptionally affecting the normal citizens of the city. This has impacted their mental well-being and their physical health as well. The local government’s biopsy of the city of Casey has introduced an Affordable housing strategy. According to my understanding, the main aim of the council is to promote and build affordable housing for the residents. As per the Planning and Environment Act 1987 social housing is for those people who have low income and it supports these people by giving them affordable housing (Casey, 2023).
Strategies and recommendations
In my opinion, the city of Casey is experiencing significant challenges related to income and housing determinants of health, which have direct impacts on the well-being of its residents.
Below are some strategies and recommendations about the income determinant:
1. Income disparity awareness campaigns: I think, the local government should initiate public awareness campaigns to highlight income disparities within the LGA. These campaigns should emphasise on the importance of equal access to healthcare and encourage policies that reduce income inequality.
2. Subsidized healthcare programs: In my opinion, subsidized healthcare programs targeting low-income residents should be established. This could include sliding-scale healthcare services, prescription drug assistance and free preventive screenings to ensure healthcare access for all income levels.
3. Education and job training: I believe that investing in education and job training programs will empower residents and increase their income potential. This can help break the cycle of poverty and improve overall community health.
Here are some strategies and recommendations about the housing determinant:
1. Affordable housing initiatives: I believe that implementation and expansion of affordable housing initiatives which include rent control, subsidies and partnerships with non-profit organisations will increase the availability of affordable housing units.
2. Zoning and land use policies: In my opinion, reviewing zoning and land use policies will encourage the development of affordable housing. This includes allowing for the construction of multi-family housing and mixed-income neighbourhoods.
As per my recommendation, the strategy that can be used by the LPG is Cross-cutting strategies which are given below:
Data collection and monitoring: Establish a robust data collection system to track income and housing-related health disparities over time. Regularly monitor progress and adjust policies accordingly.
Collaboration and partnership: Collaborate with community organizations, non-profits and healthcare providers to create a comprehensive support network for residents dealing with income and housing challenges.
Inclusive decision-making: Ensure that residents from all income levels have a voice in the local government decision-making process. Promote community involvement in shaping policies that affect their well-being.
Conclusion
To summarise my understanding of this reflective essay, I conclude that the household income in Casey is around 1554 dollars, which is way less than the living cost there. According to me, the steps that are needed to deal with the challenges are to implement affordable housing, and material regulations, implement income disparity awareness campaign, subsidising healthcare programs and providing mental health support by the authorities of Casey. I believe that these changes would be able to improve the mental health of the residents and provide them with affordable homes. Cross-cutting strategies which are to be adopted by LP are data collection collaboration and inclusive decision-making.
Finally, I believe that income and housing determinants of health are intricately linked with the city of Casey. By implementing the recommended strategies the local government body can improve the consciousness and living standard of the residents. So I feel that it is important to collaborate with different sets of people to reduce the housing price and increase average income of the residents of Casey.
Reference list
Casey, (2023). Affordable Housing Strategy | City of Casey. https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/affordable-housing-strategy[Retrived from 25 September]
Casey, (2023). Inclusive Casey Strategic Framework 2018-21. https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/inclusive-casey-strategic-framework-2018-21-0 [Retrieved from 25 September]
Casey, (2023). Revenue and Rating Strategy | City of Casey.https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/revenue-rating-strategy[Retrived from 25 September]
Gov, (2023).2016 Casey (C), Census All persons QuickStats | Australian Bureau of Statistics https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2016/LGA21610 [Retrieved from 25 September]
Id, (2023). Individual income | City of Casey | Community profile. https://profile.id.com.au/casey/individual-income [Retrieved from 25 September]
Id, (2023). Population and dwellings | City of Casey | Community profile https://profile.id.com.au/casey/population[Retrived from 25 September]
Propertyvalue, (2023). Casey House Prices & Property Trends https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/suburb/casey-2913-act [Retrieved from 25 September]
Realestate, (2023). Casey Property Market, House Prices, Investment Data & Suburb Profiles https://www.realestate.com.au/act/casey-2913/ [Retrieved from 25 September]
Rolfe, S., Garnham, L., Godwin, J., Anderson, I., Seaman, P., & Donaldson, C. (2020). Housing as a social determinant of health and wellbeing: Developing an empirically-informed realist theoretical framework. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-19.https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09224-0
Royalcommission, (2023). Introduction The City of Casey background The role of Local Government in family violence http://rcfv.archive.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getattachment/2B2CBD25-12B1-4123-9D73-5AE2B4E81F9E/City-of-Casey.pdf [Retrieved from 25 September]
Turner-Musa, J., Ajayi, O., & Kemp, L. (2020, June). Examining social determinants of health, stigma, and COVID-19 disparities. In Healthcare (Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 168). MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/8/2/168
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