Indicator:

Households with total income < $1000 per week

Policy context:

Low income households are households that are in the lowest 18% of equivalised disposable household income (EDHI).¹ EDHI refers to the amount of money, after tax and other deductions, which is available; divided by the number of household members converted to equivalised adults (weighted according to age).¹ It is used as an indicator of the economic resources available to a household.¹

Low income is an important social determinant of health and wellbeing, and a good indicator of disadvantage (a significant risk factor for poorer health outcomes throughout the lifespan).²⁻⁴ Low income acts as a health determinant because it can negatively impact a range of living and working conditions like housing standards, access to quality healthcare, availability of nutritious food, educational attainment, exposure to stress and options for healthy pursuits such as sports clubs.⁴⁻⁶ Further, children from low income households can have lower school readiness (associated with poorer health outcomes across the lifespan) due to financial stress impacting family relationships and reduced family ability to invest in advantageous experiences such as preschool or playgroups.⁷

Further, low income households tend to be concentrated in particular suburbs and neighbourhoods.⁸ The accumulation of people living with fewer financial resources in particular geographical areas can further exacerbate disadvantage as these areas tend to have less community resources, reduced neighbourhood safety, poorer services (e.g. education, health care, public transport) and lower social cohesion.⁸

Considering the relationship between child development and disadvantage, understanding which areas of the state have a greater proportion of low income households can guide policy and strategy to invest in the improvement of the living conditions of children to improve public health across the lifespan.⁶

References:

1. Australian Bureau of statistics. Canberra ACT. Household Income and Income Distribution Australia 2015-16, cat. no.6523.0. 2017. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/6523.0~2015-16~Main%20Features~Key%20Findings~1

2. Tough P. Helping children succeed: What works and why. Random House; 2016. [cited 22 May 2018]. Available from: http://www.paultough.com/helping/pdf/Helping-Children-Succeed-Paul-Tough.pdf?pdf=hcs-pdf-web

3. Zubrick S, Williams A, Silburn S, Vimpani G. Indicators of Social and Family Functioning. Commonwealth of Australia; Department of Family and Community Services. 2000. Available from: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/indicators_of_social_and_family_functioning_full_report.pdf

4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra ACT. Australia’s health 2016; Australia’s health series no. 15. Cat. no. AUS 199. 2016 [cited 2018 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2016/contents/summary

5. Braveman P, Gottlieb L. The social determinants of health: It's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 2014; 129(1):19-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549141291S206

6. Braveman P, Barclay C. Health disparities beginning in childhood: A life-course perspective. Pediatrics, 2009; 124(Supplement 3):163-75. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1100D

7. Rosier K, McDonald M. Promoting positive education and care transitions for children. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 11]. https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/promoting-positive-education-and-care-transitions-children

8. Pawson H, Hulse K, Cheshire L. Addressing concentrations of disadvantage in urban Australia. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Melbourne. 2015 [cited 2018 Jun 12]. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/247

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

Households with total income < $1000 per week

Denominator:

Total households

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

Private dwellings with Internet connection

Policy context:

Private dwellings are classified as having no internet connection if no individual in the house has access to the internet though any device (including a mobile or smart phone).¹ Low income households and those located in non-metropolitan or regional areas are less likely to have access to the internet.¹

In contemporary society having access to the internet means greater access to social connections as well as material and social resources. This includes access to health services and health information as well as other resources and social connections that contribute to health and wellbeing (such as education institutions and support networks).¹ʼ² As such, not having an internet connection in the home is considered an indicator of disadvantage because it signals a lack of resources or ability to participate fully in society.¹ʼ²

Disadvantage is a significant risk factor for poorer health outcomes for children both in early development and throughout the lifespan.³ʼ⁴ Further, as the internet functions as a primary source of information and social connection, parents who do not have internet connection may not.

In light of the relationship between child development and disadvantage, understanding which areas have a greater proportion of households experiencing disadvantage, through indicators such as internet connection, can guide policy and strategy to ensure areas that may require additional support to foster child development receive it.

References:

1. Australian Bureau of statistics. Canberra ACT. Household use of Information Technology, 2016-17, cat. no. 8146.0. 2018 [cited 22 May 2018]. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8146.0

2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Census of Population and Housing: Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), Australia, 2011, cat. no. 2033.0.55.001 http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2033.0.55.001main+features100052011

3. Tough P. Helping children succeed: What works and why. Random House; 2016. [cited 22 May 2018]. Available from: http://www.paultough.com/helping/pdf/Helping-Children-Succeed-Paul-Tough.pdf?pdf=hcs-pdf-web

4. Zubrick S, Williams A, Silburn S, Vimpani G. Indicators of Social and Family Functioning. Commonwealth of Australia; Department of Family and Community Services. 2000 [cited 2018 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/indicators_of_social_and_family_functioning_full_report.pdf

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

Households with total income < $1000 per week

Denominator:

Private dwellings with Internet

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Notes:

Data only presented from the 2016 Census

Indicator:

Unemployed persons for selected age group

Policy context:

Individuals are classified as unemployed if they have not worked more than one hour in the reference week; have actively looked for work in the past 4 weeks; and, are available to start work in the reference week.¹ People who are unemployed are less likely to have an adequate income and more likely to have poor health and wellbeing outcomes and higher stress.²𝄒³

Parental unemployment (and the related consequences for parent health) is also associated with poorer health outcomes for children such as higher rates of chronic illness, psychosomatic symptoms, and psychological problems throughout their lifespan.⁴⁻⁶

Unemployment is also considered an indicator of household disadvantage which is a significant risk factor for poorer health outcomes for children both in development and throughout the lifespan.⁷𝄒⁸

There are a range of socioeconomic factors that connect disadvantage to poorer health outcomes.⁸ These include direct causes such as exposure to more pollution or poor housing, as well as more indirect pathways such as higher social acceptability of poor health behaviours including smoking, fast food consumption or violence; lower educational attainment; and greater exposure to stressors.⁹𝄒¹⁰

Further, disadvantage tends to be concentrated in particular suburbs and neighbourhoods.¹¹ The accumulation of people living with fewer resources in particular geographical areas can further exacerbate disadvantage as these areas tend to have less community resources, reduced neighbourhood safety, poorer services (e.g. education, health care, public transport) and lower social cohesion.¹¹

As unemployment is related to parent and child health it is an important factor to consider in relation to child development. Rates of unemployment can inform policy makers and services of areas where lifestyle factors and disadvantage may be having an adverse impact on child development and assist them to distribute resources appropriately.

References:

1. Australian Bureau of statistics. Canberra ACT. Australian Labour Market Statistics, July 2014, cat. no. 6105.0. [cited 22 May 2018]. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6105.0Feature%20Article53July%202014

2. Mathers C, Schofield D. The health consequences of unemployment: The evidence. The Medical Journal of Australia, 1998; 168(4):178-82. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/1998/168/4/health-consequences-unemployment-evidence

3. Mörk E, Sjögren A, Svaleryd H. Parental unemployment and child health. CESifo Economic Studies, 2014; 60(2):366-401. https://doi.org/10.1093/cesifo/ifu016

4. Morrell S, Taylor R, Kerr C. Jobless. Unemployment and young people's health. The Medical Journal of Australia, 1998; 168(5):236-40. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/1998/168/5/unemployment-and-young-peoples-health

5. Christoffersen MN. A follow-up study of long-term effects of unemployment on children: Loss of self-esteem and self-destructive behavior among adolescents. Childhood, 1994; 2(4):212-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/090756829400200405

6. Pedersen CR, Madsen M, Köhler L. Does financial strain explain the association between children’s morbidity and parental non-employment? Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2005; 59(4):316-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech.2003.013839

7. Tough P. Helping children succeed: What works and why. Random House; 2016. Available from: http://www.paultough.com/helping/pdf/Helping-Children-Succeed-Paul-Tough.pdf?pdf=hcs-pdf-web

8. Zubrick S, Williams A, Silburn S, Vimpani G. Indicators of Social and Family Functioning. Commonwealth of Australia; Department of Family and Community Services. 2000 [cited 2018 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/indicators_of_social_and_family_functioning_full_report.pdf

9. Braveman P, Gottlieb L. The social determinants of health: It's time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 2014; 129(1):19-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549141291S206

10. Braveman P, Barclay C. Health disparities beginning in childhood: A life-course perspective. Pediatrics, 2009; 124(Supplement 3):163-75. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2009-1100D

11. Pawson H, Hulse K, Cheshire L. Addressing concentrations of disadvantage in urban Australia. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. Melbourne. 2015 [cited 2018 Jun 12]. Available from: https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/247

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

Unemployed persons for selected age group

Denominator:

Total persons for selected age group

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

Children who don't speak English well or not at all, by selected age group

Policy context:

Households are classified as having a main language other than English spoken at home if the primary language of communication between residents and regular visitors is one other than English (including sign language).¹ Having a main language other than English spoken at home can be an indicator of lower English proficiency and understanding.¹

In Australia, having low English proficiency and understanding can limit a person’s ability to effectively participate in society (including accessing support, social networks, and services), which affects all members of the household and is a social determinant of health.¹𝄒²

Further, people who speak a main language other than English can be reluctant to access health services due to cultural difference, experiences or perceptions of discrimination and concerns about misunderstanding, leading to disparities in health.³

Children from culturally and linguistically diverse households can also have lower school readiness than their peers because of lower English proficiency in learning or conversation and increased vulnerability to bullying.⁴ School readiness is extremely important due to its association with ongoing academic achievement and life outcomes.⁴

Therefore, geographical areas that have a high proportion of households speaking a main language other than English in the home can be understood as vulnerable to having poorer child development outcomes.

Accordingly, information about home language statistics and child development can be used to help policy makers understand where extra resources may be required to ensure children from culturally and linguistically diverse households have appropriate resources and services to support good health and development.

References:

1. Australian Bureau of statistics. Canberra ACT. Main Language Other Than English Spoken at Home, Language Standards 2016. [cited 2018 Jun 19], cat. no. 1200.0.55.005. Available from: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1200.0.55.005~2016~Main%20Features~Main%20Language%20Other%20Than%20English%20Spoken%20at%20Home~4

2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Canberra ACT. Australia’s Health 2016; Australia’s Health Series no. 15. Cat. no. AUS 199. [cited 2018 Jun 11]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australias-health-2016/contents/summary

3. Sanagavarapu P, Perry B. Concerns and expectations of Bangladeshi parents as their children start school. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 2005; 30(3):45.

4. Henderson S, Kendall E. Culturally and linguistically diverse peoples’ knowledge of accessibility and utilisation of health services: Exploring the need for improvement in health service delivery. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2011; 17(2):195-201. https://doi.org/10.1071/PY10065

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

Selected age group who don't speak English well or not at all

Denominator:

Total persons for selected age group

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

20-24 year olds with Year 12 or equivalent highest year of school completed

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

20-24 year olds with Year 12 or equivalent highest year of school completed

Denominator:

Total persons aged 20-24 years

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

Overcrowded dwellings

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

Dwellings requiring extra bedrooms to accommodate the people who usually live there

Denominator:

Total private dwellings

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

One parent families with children under 15 and/or dependent students

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

One parent families with children under 15 and/or dependent students

Denominator:

Total families

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.

Indicator:

One parent families with nondependent children only

Data source:

Compiled by UWA and Telethon Kids Institute based on Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing

Numerator:

One parent families with nondependent children only

Denominator:

Total families

Unit of measure:

Percent (%)

Geography:

SA2, SA3, LGA, HR, RDC

Data confidentiality:

The ABS applies small random adjustments to all cell values to protect the confidentiality of data. These adjustments may cause the sum of rows or columns to differ by small amounts from the table totals.