Health Inequalities Individual Report

Assignment Task

Write a 2,000-word individual report discussing health inequalities within the United Kingdom in relation to gender, age or ethnicity.

You may write up to 10% above or below the stated word count. The title page, contents page, reference list and appendices are not included in the word count.

Choose one of the following topics:

1. Ethnic minority women and maternity care
2. African-Caribbean men and schizophrenia
3. Mental health service provision for older people
4. Older people’s use of GP services and/or specialist care
5. Gypsies and Travellers’ access to healthcare
6. Asylum seekers’ access to healthcare
7. LGBT+ groups’ access to healthcare

Access to healthcare may refer to healthcare generally or access to a specific service or treatment.

Key Focus

Link the selected topic to one type of health inequality only:

• Gender
• Age
• Ethnicity

Choose the variable that is most directly relevant to the selected topic and maintain this focus throughout the report.

The report must examine how the chosen social group is treated unequally within the healthcare system regarding diagnosis, treatment or access to services.

Do not focus mainly on differences in disease prevalence. The discussion should concentrate on how the group’s healthcare needs are inadequately met because of gender, age or ethnicity.

Use detailed statistics and relevant examples to demonstrate the nature and extent of the inequality.

Required Report Structure

Title Page

Provide an appropriate title for the report.

Abstract or Executive Summary

Present the abstract or executive summary on a separate page.

Table of Contents

Include a table of contents on a separate page.

The contents page should include:

• Main sections
• Subsections
• Corresponding page numbers

1. Introduction — Approximately 200–300 Words

Introduce the selected health issue.

Explain how the issue relates to one form of inequality based on gender, age or ethnicity.

Establish:

• The social group being examined
• The healthcare issue
• The selected inequality variable
• The main problem being addressed

Only one inequality variable should be examined throughout the report.

2. Nature and Extent of Health Inequalities — Approximately 800 Words

Explore the nature and extent of the inequalities associated with the selected health issue.

Explain:

• How serious the problem is
• How the group’s healthcare needs are not being met
• How the group experiences unequal treatment or discrimination
• How its experiences differ from those of other service-user groups
• The possible root causes of the inequality

Support the discussion with detailed statistics, research evidence and relevant healthcare examples.

The focus should remain on inequality within the healthcare system rather than primarily discussing disease prevalence.

3. Policy — Approximately 600 Words

Discuss policies that address the selected health inequality.

The discussion should:

• Identify relevant regulations, guidance, strategies, service plans or policies
• Examine developments in policy intended to address the inequality
• Evaluate how effectively current policies respond to the problem
• Identify weaknesses, limitations or gaps in current policy

The main focus must be policy. Acts of Parliament are legislation rather than policy and should not replace the required policy discussion.

4. Suggestions for Improvement — Approximately 300–400 Words

Make practical and evidence-based suggestions for addressing the identified policy gaps.

Explain:

• What changes are required
• How policy could be improved
• How the recommendations would reduce the identified inequality
• How the recommendations would improve healthcare access, treatment or outcomes for the selected group

The recommendations must respond directly to the gaps identified in the policy section.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Summarise the main findings of the report.

Bring together:

• The nature of the health inequality
• Its effect on the selected group
• The strengths and weaknesses of current policy
• The most important recommendations for improvement

Do not introduce new evidence in the conclusion.

References

Include a complete reference list using the Harvard referencing system.

Evidence and Referencing Requirements

Use a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Only journal articles count towards the minimum requirement. Books, professional reports and other credible sources may be used in addition to the 10 journal articles.

Ensure that:

• All arguments are supported by appropriate evidence
• In-text citations correspond with entries in the reference list
• Every source in the reference list has been cited in the report
• Only sources that you have read are included in the reference list
• Secondary referencing is used correctly where necessary
• No more than 5% of the report consists of direct quotations
• The assignment is written mainly in your own words

Final Requirements

The completed report must:

• Maintain one clear inequality focus throughout
• Use headings and subheadings
• Include detailed statistics and relevant examples
• Critically discuss the nature and extent of the inequality
• Evaluate current policy and identify policy gaps
• Present practical recommendations
• Use appropriate academic language
• Be proofread and edited before submission