Socioeconomic Factors in Pain

1. Socioeconomic Factors in Pain Kevin Pang

2. Focus • Looking at how members of low socioeconomic status perceive, express, and experience pain

3. Hypothesis • Poor people are subjected to more pain in their lives due to their socioeconomic standing • Poor people are less expressive about their pain

4. Justification • Physical laborers endure more and express less pain due to the nature of their jobs • Poor people do not have access to the same knowledge about medical treatment • Poor people do not have the funds to afford said medical treatment • Poor people are exposed to health risks such as dirty water, poor diet, and unsanitary living conditions

5. Case Studies / Papers • Glasgow case study – found that people of lower socioeconomic status were less informed about medical treatment and felt more vulnerable to illness because of it. • Norway case study – found a link between socioeconomic status and the risk for developing chronic/disabling back pain.

6. Cast Studies / Papers (contd) • Denial of Chronic Pain paper – suggested that people of lower socioeconomic status who were poorly educated, lacked transferable skills, and performed heavy or repetitive physical labor would be less likely to express their pain. • Socioeconomic Status and Health paper – States that socioeconomic status directly influences how much pain a person endures in their life.

7. Conclusions • Hypothesis was backed by case studies and papers. • Socioeconomic status has an effect on the pain experience. • The poor are exposed to health risks and are frequently under treated because of their financial difficulties. • Society should take a closer look at socioeconomic policies if it wishes to address this health issue.