Unit 4, Area of Study 1 NOTES

Developed Countries (also known as Industrialised countries): are those countries which have well developed
industry, mining or agriculture sectors, and therefore enjoy a healthy economy based on trade. Developed
Countries have progressed adequately with regards to economic, mortality and demographic indicators

Developed Countries usually have a high GDP (total value of goods and services produced by a
country in one year) which is one indicator that they are a developed or industrialised country

Strong industry/mining/agricultural sectors Healthy economy Good healthcare system Higher
immunisation rates Longer Life expectancy Good education systems Higher literacy rates Knowledge
to make better health choices

Which Countries are Developed Countries? Australia, America, United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden, Canada
and Italy

Developing Countries are those countries that generally have a low GDP, and have less access to technology,
have poor industry and limited trade agreements. These developing countries have not progressed enough and
are inadequate by means of economic, mortality and demographic indicators

What stops these developing countries from becoming developed?
High rates of poverty plague most developing countries and this poverty usually hinders developing countries
from elevating themselves to become developed countries. Such poverty is caused by effects of war, conflict or
the aftermath of natural disasters. As a result, many developing countries need to borrow financial aid from other
countries, and need to pay it back as they do so. This leaves developing countries stuck in a poverty and
financial rut, usually incapable of rising above it.

Weak economy limited healthcare facilities lower immunisation rates Higher rates of disease Shorter
life expectancy limited education facilities Lower literacy rates Not enough knowledge to make better
health choices

Which Countries are Developing Countries? Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, Guatemala,
Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

The WHO Mortality Strata
It is quite broad to just divide countries into being either Developed or Developing. To be more specific when
classifying countries, the WHO developed the Mortality Strata

Strata A Very low child mortality, very low adult mortality (Australia, Japan, Sweden, USA, UK)
Strata B Low child mortality, low adult mortality (China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico)
Strata C Low child mortality, high adult mortality (Russian Federation, Ukraine)
Strata D High child mortality, high adult mortality (Afghanistan, Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Yemen)
Strata E High child mortality, very high adult mortality (Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique)

Purpose: allows countries to be put with other countries experiencing similar health outcomes, whereby health
campaigns and interventions can then be devised for each strata.

Health: A state of complete physical mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or
infirmity
Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs

Human Development: Creating an environment in which people can develop to their full potential and
lead productive, creative lives according to their needs and interests. It is about:
expanding peoples choices and enhancing capabilities (the range of things people can be and do)
having access to knowledge, health and a decent standard of living
and participating in the life of their community and decisions affecting their lives

Sustainable Human Development: is a process of people striving to achieve their full potential, lead
productive lives, expand their choices and meet their needs without compromising the opportunities for
future generations


When comparing the similarities and differences in the health and developmental outcomes between Australia
and developing countries, we use a measure known as the Human Development Index (HDI)


What is the HDI?
Human Development Index (HDI) is a measurement of human development which combines indicators of life
expectancy, educational levels, and income. The Human Development Index provides a single statistic which can
be used as a reference for both social and economic development

Is the HDI a *complete* measure of Health Development? No. Although the HDI does take into account 3
important indicators, it fails to consider other indicators such as gender equality, income equality, and political
freedoms. However, it is still useful as it provides a broad indication of human progress in different countries and
allows us to assess the complex relationship between income and wellbeing.


Where does Australia stand?
Australia undoubtedly epitomises high human development so its no surprise we stand at 0.965 and are ranked
4th in the world. On the other hand, countries like Mozambique, who are still developing and thus lower in human
development, stand at rank 175 with a HDI of only 0.366

Similarities and Differences between developed and developing countries

Firstly, what are the differences between Developing and Developed countries?
Developing Countries:
o Lower literacy and immunisation rates
o Limited health facilities
o Conflict poverty
o High rates of communicable diseases (e.g.
HIV/AIDS)
o Limited access to safe water
o Little or no social security services
o Cultural factors (e.g. low status of women)
o Population growth is high
o History of colonisation
o High rates of Poverty
o Lack of adequate food and nutrition
o Smoking rates are on the rise

Developed Countries:
o Higher literacy and immunisation rates
o Many health facilities available
o Wide range of Industries (such as mining and
agriculture)
o Have high GDP
o Higher life expectancy
o Greater education facilities
o Health problems related more to affluence
(too much money = too much food =obesity!!)
o Higher Life expectancy
o Abundant access to safe water and sanitation
o Status of women is good and acceptable
o Population growth low and Smoking rates are
decreasing


So then, what are the similarities between developing and developed countries?
1) Both developed and developing countries different social classes within society
2) Both developed and developing countries trade with other nations
3) Some Level of pollution is present in both developed & developing nations
4) Obesity levels are increasing in both developed and developing countries
5) Tobacco and other drugs can be purchased/are available in both countries
6) Both developed and developing countries have organised religions






Leading causes of Death in Australia? Chronic diseases: including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and
injuries
Leading causes of Death in Developing Countries? Communicable diseases: including HIV/AIDS and
infectious/parasitic diseases such as Polio, Diarrhoea and Measles (due to low sanitation levels)

What changes can we expect with regards to mortality & the Burden of disease over the next 30 years?
The WHO has predicted that by 2030, developing countries will be further subjected to the double burden of
disease. While HIV/AIDS is predicted to be the leading cause of this disease burden, it wont be the only one, it
seems. Heart disease and Depression are also set to have quite an impact due to changes in lifestyle behaviours,
demarcated by changes in the diet, increase in smoking, and increased consumption of alcohol in developing
countries.

The influence of income, gender equality, peace, education, access to healthcare, political stability, global
marketing, and physical environments on the health status of Developing countries and Australia

Influence of Income
Developing countries: Inadequate income means that money cannot be afforded for nutritious food, healthcare,
proper medicines, and the chance to attain an education. Basic requirements for living must be compromised
such as safe water & decent housing/shelter. Further, the Governments of developing countries that are in
conflict may allocate more spending of money on military expenses, instead of putting that money towards
healthcare and education.
Living in poverty isnt just a matter of no money; but also a life of poor health, missed education, increased
violence, insecurity & discrimination. The most unfortunate thing is that often these people do not have the
opportunity or the choice to improve their living standards

Developed countries: Developed Countries such as Australia, are not prone from poverty. There is still poverty
here however, unlike that of developing countries, the poverty here is more associated with socioeconomic
status, unemployment, low wages, being a single parent, or having a disability. Basic sanitation/lack of health &
education facilities is not a cause of poverty in Australia. An inadequate income here makes it difficult to access
adequate food & shelter

Influence of Gender (Gender Equality)
Developing countries: Females in developing countries lack the status and treatment that are given to males.
From the moment of their birth, many females are perceived with shame or disappointment, as the birth of a male
is usually hoped for and associated with pride & honour.
As children, girls are less likely to attend school and learn how to read, and may be forced into employment
(child labour).
As adolescents, girls are perceived to be women, often being subject to early marriage and motherhood, abuse
and violence (from their husbands), continue to be exploited for physical labour, may be exploited for trafficking
or may allow themselves to be(for money), at risk of genital mutilation and possess a poor knowledge of
sexual/reproductive health.
As adults, women are at great risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, are at risk of dying during childbirth (maternal
mortality) and face discrimination if they want to apply for a job or earn an income. In old age, women face
double discrimination through both their gender and old age, and are often forced into poverty once they become
a widow, as their lack of rights stops them from earning an income or having a property of their own.

Developed countries: Females are provided with equal rights as males, and do not suffer any discrimination
with regards to legal rights, ability to earn an income, or own property.

Influence of Peace
Developing countries: A developed country is always better off in terms of health when there is peace. However,
often many developing countries suffer conflict which is the presence of no peace. As a result, people in these
countries suffer poor health & development either because they participate in the conflict (risk of bodily
harm/death) or they are harmed by its repercussions such as when the Government allocates
healthcare/education funding towards purchasing weapons. Conflict can also destroy the physical environment,
which may take years to rebuild, and leave the people in a never-ending cycle of poverty.
E.g. Afghanistans experience with so much conflict and war can be blamed for their low life expectancy and low
literacy rates. On a mental level, conflict causes unrest, which leaves people feeling anxious and depressed.
Landmines, which are a consequence of conflict, are not visible, so they cannot be uprooted off the ground and
thus, continue to cause disability and death of so many innocent civilians.

Developed countries: Developed countries are not prone from war/conflict, however, because they have stronger
economies, war/conflict does not have as much of an impact on health and funding for healthcare/education need
not be compromised



Influence of Education
Developing countries: Many do not have the opportunity to become educated. When your country is in poverty,
you are expected to help out your family by working and earning some money. Education is compromised.
However, not being able to read or write actually poses significant problems for those wishing to become
employed and earn a stable income in the future. As a result, people are usually forced into work with low
education prerequisites, such a labour intensive manual work. Otherwise, due to not being educated, women see
prostitution as an alternative source of income. This obviously opens up all sorts of health problems like STDs
and HIV/AIDS. Lack of education also hinders people from understanding health promotion messages. Further,
not being able to attend school or learn to read and write, thrusts many women into a life of discrimination and ill-
treatment, both of which have disastrous effects on ones mental ad social health.

Developed countries: People in developed countries have high literacy rates, and this is no surprise as attending
school (for e.g. In Australia) is actually compulsory until Year 10. This equips people in developing countries with
the knowledge to understand health promotion messages and also to gain high education qualifications that will
allow them to attain good jobs and earn a stable income.

Influence of Access to Healthcare
Developing countries: Access to healthcare in developing countries is generally a lot lower than required (for the
population). Availability of services is compromised also because funding for it goes to other aspects, such as
purchasing of weapons. Being able to access health care means that people can get common illnesses cured
(before they become worse), and can generally have optimal health as there is promotion and encouragement
towards human development. Health care encompasses important services such as immunisation, health
education, as well as knowledge of maternal health. Consequently, because people are deprived of this, they
suffer communicable diseases such as Measles, polio and tuberculosis (which can usually be put off with
vaccinations). Also, increased maternal and infant mortality is a prime consequence of low or no accessibility to
health care

Developed countries: In Australia, we have no significant problem with access to Healthcare. Everyone is
provided with accessible healthcare, through Medicare, at little or no cost. Further, immunisations are compulsory
at birth, and continue to be as the child progresses through their schooling. Good maternal care means there is
hardly any maternal mortality in Australia and Infant and Under-5 Mortality rates are only 6 in 1000 live births.
Thus, generally sanitary environments and focus on healthcare allow people to live healthier lives while avoiding
infectious disease

Influence of Political Stability
Developing countries: In most developing countries, there is a lack of political stability- which is usually attributed
with corrupted Governments and a lack of democracy. It is with the effective governance of a Government that
effective laws can be developed, order and stability can be maintained and human rights can be protected. A
politically stable Government is one that focuses greatly on resources such as schools, healthcare and
infrastructure so that its citizens can have more opportunities. However, when corruption of Government plagues
a developing country, it negatively affects political stability, making way for war or conflict. In such times, the first
resources to suffer are those relating to healthcare and education.
E.g. children that live in areas where there is political instability may be deprived of an education. Such political
instability would thus inevitably increase poverty and decrease health status.

Developed countries: In Australia, we have been blessed with political stability in recent times. However, it is not
solely our own country whose political stability we must be concerned about. Political instability in neighbouring
countries must also be controlled because such insecurity is not good for regional security. E.g. When East Timor
suffered political unrest, Australia worked hard to promote political stability within that region. As a result, our
political stability was also strengthened, and this definitely had a positive influence on the health status of our
nation.

Influence of Global Marketing
Globalisation refers to the advertising and selling of goods and services all across the world. Its a transformative
process that has lead to a more unified and interconnected world.
Developing country: However, for developing countries, which are generally lower in such
economic/technological resources, Globalisation only seeks to magnify inequalities concerning trade and
technological advancements. Consequently, Globalisation has a damaging influence on developing nations
through the increase of multinational corporations promoting their products, which usually lead to obesity, CVD,
and diabetes.
3 specific services that have the greatest impact:
- Tobacco consumption
- Alcohol consumption
- Processed foods

Developed country: Developed Countries have much to benefit from Globalisation since they have stronger
economies and have greater industries (mining, agricultural) that can be transferred to other markets. However,
Developed nations have also suffered greatly from products of multinational corporations such as McDonalds,
through overdependence on fast food, and this has led us to become one of the most Obese nations, suffering
greatly from the Obesity epidemic. Tobacco and alcohol are also problem areas, but the only difference here
between us and developing nations is that we have enough funding for health to be able to establish health
promotion programs (such as Quit) to educate people about the dangers of smoking. People in developed
nations are not exposed to such health promotion or preventative strategies; so once they start smoking or
drinking alcohol, theyll most likely continue that habit for the rest of their life.

Influence of physical environments
Developing countries: Physical environments affect health with regards to whether there is a clean and safe
water supply, air quality (extent of air pollution), housing (strength of housing and whether or not overcrowding
occurs) and infrastructure (aspects such as water and electricity supply, whether schools and hospitals are
available, and the quality of roads and rail networks). Lack of such facilities in the physical environment may
hinder a person from making advances in their health. Also, climatic crises like Climate Change are causing
temperatures to increase and are thus increasing the spread of diseases such as Malaria. Not having access to
clean and safe water not only causes spread of diseases like diphtheria and diarrhoea (through contaminated
water supply); but also makes life harder for people in rural communities, in the extreme case of drought,
because there is not sufficient water to grow food or keep cattle alive. Finally, people in developing countries,
such as Zimbabwe may not have access to nutritionally appropriate & safe food through their physical
environment this leads to nutritional deficiencies, hunger and malnutrition. This doesnt mean the country of
Zimbabwe doesnt have enough food, but rather, that this food is not provisioned or distributed properly so people
dont have access to it

Developed countries: The turmoils of the physical environment are not as prevalent in developed countries as
they are in developing countries. HOWEVER, there are still aspects of the physical environment that do have a
considerable negative impact on ones health. In Australia, although we dont suffer the shortage of clean and
safe water, we are subject to a considerable amount of air pollution through increase in factories and industries.
The impacts of physical environment are worst felt by those living in Rural/remote populations in Australia.
Because such areas are often plagued with harsh climatic conditions, such as drought, it becomes hard for
farmers to make a living because their crops cannot grow, and this definitely causes a decline in mental health
depression. Also, because jobs in that region are mainly manual-labour orientated, there is a definite risk of
bodily injury and death. Furthermore, the tyranny of distance that comes with living in such an area makes it very
difficult to have easy access to healthcare facilities, thus disadvantaging ones health


The 8 UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

What are the Millennium development goals & why were they established?
The Millennium development goals are a set of 8 goals that were proposed by world leaders at the United
Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. These goals were established to foster stronger global efforts towards
eradicating poverty, encouraging democracy, human rights, peace, strong governance, and environmental
sustainability.
So why does there need to be a global effort?
The main objective of these MDGs is eradication of poverty. Why? Because poverty is a prominent cause for the
many problems these MDGs are trying to address. Eradicating the main cause will positively address the other
MDGs as well. Such eradication can only occur if there is a global effort through strong partnerships between
countries that is, if richer countries help out developing or poorer countries by expanding trade, relieving and
helping out with debts, providing aid and transferring technology.















E-A-P-R-I-C-E-D

Goal Targets (purpose) Reasons
1. Eradicate extreme
poverty and hunger
Halve the proportion of people
living on less than US $1 a day
(between 2000 and 2015)
reduce the level of poverty in
developing countries
enable productive and decent
employment
Living on $1 a day is
associated with a lack of
income and this lack of income
directly affects many aspects
of ones life; that lead to lack of
access to food, healthcare and
education. Use of such
facilities requires money; but
how far is $1 going to get you?
are normally preventable
Lack of income in developing
countries hinders a country
from developing its economy

2. Achieve universal
primary education
To provide access to education to
boys and girls so that they can
complete a full course of primary
school education (universal primary
schooling)
To thus improve literacy rates and
numeracy skills
To give both males and females the
knowledge they need to engage in
decisions and behaviours regarding
their health

Education promotes literacy
rates, which allows for greater
employment prospects.
Because of this, people who
have an education (at least
primary school) have more
chance of getting a job and
earning an income, thus
enabling them to seek out
good healthcare, food and
shelter
Also being educated makes
people more knowledgeable
regarding their health.
3. Promote gender
equality and empower
women
Equal girls enrolment in primary
school (equal access to education)
Women should have their fair share
of paid employment Women should
have equal representation in
National parliaments
Women are the main
caregivers for the children, so
it is important for them to be
educated so that they can
impart this education onto their
children and thus encourage
sustainable human
development.

4. Reduce childhood
mortality
Reduce the under-5 mortality rate
by two thirds

- 15% of children wont reach
their 5
th
birthday in
developing countries
- Vaccinations and clean water
can save the lives of millions
simple solutions

5. Improving maternal
health
Reduce the maternal mortality rate
by three quarters

Reducing the risk of
complications during childbirth
would also decrease the
maternal mortality rate. Simply
providing services to pregnant
women will allow them to take
control over their health and
reduce maternal mortality rates
while improving maternal
health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria and other
diseases
Halt and reverse the spread of
HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major
diseases

AIDS contributes to poverty
makes people unable to work
Malaria is a leading cause of
child mortality highly
preventable

7. Ensure
environmental stability
Halve the number of people who
dont have access to clean drinking
water and basic sanitation
Reserve the loss of forests
Overcrowding is an issue
among the urban poor
So that our children can enjoy
the worlds resources the same
way that we did.
8. Develop and global
partnership for
development
To allow developing countries to
competitively trade their goods on
the global market, and thus elevate
their development and GDP
Make new technologies available,
esp. those relating to
communication
Developed countries have the
power to make a difference to
these countries; come together
in partnership




Interrelationships between Health, Human development and Sustainability

Health, Human development and sustainability are all interrelated and must all be considered with regards to
each other in order to achieve the highest level of wellbeing possible.

Sustainable human development means that not only is the current generation able to achieve their full
potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interests but that the future
generation is more likely to have the skills, knowledge and resources to meet their own needs and improve their
own standard of living.

Health - By providing education on HIV/AIDS, promoting safe sex and having people tested, the physical health
of those within the community will improve. The empowerment that comes with knowledge improves mental
health and boosts self esteem, while the coming together of the community promotes social health.

Human Development If people have good health then they are able to work and have a stable income. They
can provide for their families and have choices over their health and the health of their families. They are able to
contribute positively to their community, and spend time with their family which leads to contentment. They are
content and are able to lead productive lives, reaching their full potential.

Sustainability - Their education can be passed on, and they are using safe, preventable measures to stay healthy
which is sustainable for the community, the country and future generations.