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.