5.1.3

Economic Activity - Health & Life

Test yourself

The Social Implications of Economic Activity - Health

Economic activity affects many different aspects of society. Inequality in pay and different types of employment affect people's quality of life, including their health.

Illustrative background for Morbidity and longevityIllustrative background for Morbidity and longevity ?? "content

Morbidity and longevity

  • Someone's income and type of employment can affect their health.
  • We often measure health in terms of:
    • Morbidity - degree of ill-health.
    • Longevity - a longer life expectancy for a given age of person.
Illustrative background for Impact of primary economic activityIllustrative background for Impact of primary economic activity ?? "content

Impact of primary economic activity

  • Someone's location of work and type of employment can affect morbidity and longevity.
  • People in primary employment have a higher risk of poorer health and mortality.
    • Workers in primary employment may be exposed to carcinogens (which cause cancer) and substances like asbestos (which is now banned). This exposure can cause ill health.
  • Additionally, extracting resources may have negative externalities (negative spillover effects), which can cause ill health to the surrounding population.
Illustrative background for Food desertsIllustrative background for Food deserts ?? "content

Food deserts

  • Food deserts are places that have a higher incidence of fast-food outlets. There is also usually less fresh food available.
  • These food deserts have higher rates of morbidity and are associated with low-income regions.
  • High streets without supermarkets selling fresh food and with lots of Chicken Cottages may lead people to eat more unhealthy food. This can reduce their quality and length of life.
Illustrative background for Food deserts - New OrleansIllustrative background for Food deserts - New Orleans ?? "content

Food deserts - New Orleans

  • New Orleans was ranked as the top food desert in the USA. A very high % of the population lives in poverty and lots of grocery stores were destroyed and not replaced after Hurricane Katrina.

The Social Implications of Economic Activity - Life Expectancy

Economic activity affects many different aspects of society. Inequality in pay and different types of employment affect people's quality of life, including people's life expectancy and longevity:

Illustrative background for Regional differences in longevityIllustrative background for Regional differences in longevity ?? "content

Regional differences in longevity

  • Life expectancy is the average age to which a person is expected to live on the day that they are born.
  • Longevity varies across regions.
  • The 2011 UK census showed that people in the south of the UK had higher life expectancies than Northern areas.
    • A 65-year-old male in Harrow (London) was expected to live six years longer than a 65-year-old male in Glasgow.
Illustrative background for Life expectancy in the UKIllustrative background for Life expectancy in the UK ?? "content

Life expectancy in the UK

  • Life expectancy in the UK (as of 2018) is 77 years for men and 82 years for women.
Illustrative background for Factors determining life expectancyIllustrative background for Factors determining life expectancy ?? "content

Factors determining life expectancy

  • Key factors that influence life expectancy are:
    • Gender (women on average live longer than men).
    • Income (people with higher incomes tend to live longer).
    • Occupation (primary economic activity is associated with shorter life expectancy).
    • Education (higher education is associated with longer life expectancy).
    • Access to healthcare.
    • Lifestyle choices (smoking and obesity are associated with a shorter life expectancy).

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson