nobody+likes+a+bogan


 * Nobody Likes A Bogan ** Student Number: N8569495 | Tutor: Abbey Hamilton

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My chosen artefact was released in 2002 and Area 7’s biggest hit ‘Nobody likes a bogan’. It is a likable Australian music video that displays the cultural practices Bogans associate with in a humorous way. Through the use of music, lyrics and images, the artefact portrays all the associations of a Bogan in an entertaining way that communicates and clarifies the reason for their poor health outcomes.

**THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE: ** Bogans are associated with being poorly educated (The New Zealand Herald 2008)and coming from a lower socio-economic background. In regards to health outcomes, there is positive health consequences related to increased education (reference 3.Conversely, alcoholism and obesity are major health risks for people such as Bogans who are categorised as lower class citizens.

**LITERATURE REVIEW:** Socioeconomic differences exist for almost every major contemporary and historical cause of morbidity and mortality (Dunn, R, J,. 2010). Health and wellbeing is influenced by socioeconomic factors, such as education, occupation and income. Bogans are recognised as having a low income, low education and low positive health outcomes says Chen (2012). The Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that in 2008 people aged 15 years or older, living in lower socioeconomic groups were far more likely to be current smokers, obese and consume high levels of alcohol.

There has been widespread research of the link between alcohol consumption, social class and economic status. Evidence from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2008) proves the decades of research as an important matter. Recent studies found that people living in remote areas, typically where Bogan’s reside, are 32.1% likely to drink at high-risk levels. This can be compared to individuals living in major cities who are only 19.8% prone to consume alcohol in these unsafe quantities. Health experts warn that if an excessive amount of alcohol consumed within the Bogan culture is not addressed, than it will place an uneven and significant burden on the Australian Healthcare System. Statistics from The Australian Institute of Welfare (2007) prove that alcohol abuse is supporting, but moreover the fuel behind majority accidents, injuries and illnesses.According to the Preventative Health Taskforce (2007) the Australian Government, States and Territories are working in agreement to implement alcohol related initiatives as part of the National Alcohol Strategy. The areas needing action include monitoring and review of alcohol promotions, increased community awareness and understanding of the extent and impacts of intoxication, improve enforcement of liquor licensing regulations, support community initiatives to reduce alcohol-related health problems, and develop and implement social marketing campaigns to reduce alcohol-related harms.

Campaigns throughout Australia have been applied to address the issue of binge drinking (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010) such as the televised advertisement ‘Don’t turn a night out into a nightmare’. The reported impact of the campaign was majority successful with 75% of drinkers aged 15-25 agreed that the advertisements made them think about various aspects of drinking. Conversely, the reported impact of consumption throughout the same age group was weaker as only 27-31% of individuals had reduced their drinking in response to the advertisement (Department of Health and Aging, 2009). Perhaps this negative reaction could be linked to the lack of knowledge and education Bogans possess, therefore not understanding the extent of the advertisements targeted response.

In addition, by highlighting Coronary Heart Disease and Obesity as a priority health issue in Australia, the Government has made a ‘swap it don’t stop it’ programme. Their initiative is to swap big for small, often for sometimes, sitting for moving, and watching for playing’ (Australian Government n.d.). This is another example of a strategy that the Government is imposing to try and make Australia a healthier population. While it has not been specifically targeted to the Bogan culture, it would directly apply to them as majority have poor diets and eating habits (Clark et al., 2011).

Baum, Charles and Ruhm’s 2009 research confirms there is a relationship between socioeconomic status and health. As Bogans are predominately lower class citizens (Pini, McDonald and Mayes, 2012), it is suggested that they have lower education levels. Lower education contributes to lower health knowledge (Patty, 2001) therefore Bogans are not fully aware of the importance of consuming a healthy diet and lifestyle. Without the awareness from young, and the understanding in young adolescence, Bogans will adopt bad eating habits and make poor health decisions in the future that they think is correct and normal.

Education is a major factor that influences health outcomes. However the mechanisms by which education impacts an individual’s health status include family background, social networks, demographics and resources. When you are born into a culture, for example Bogans, the traditions, habits and lifestyle choices are subjective to what they have been surrounded by. The studies stated above by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2008) demonstrates that higher levels of alcohol consumption are prevalent in remote and rural communities. Therefore concluding that excessive drinking levels in addition to a Bogans eating and lifestyle habits, affect health outcomes negatively. Long term issues can result in alcohol related illnesses such as Obesity and Coronary Heart Disease.


 * SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS: **

When looking at Australia’s general public health, excessive alcohol consumption and poor dietary choices is a critical issue. There have been specific changes when comparing the trend of alcohol consumption over the years. A journal article on behalf of the British Sociological Association (reference) explains that ‘Bogan’, like that of ‘Chav’ in Britain, is a widely engaged negative descriptor for the white working-class poor. In contrast, since the economic boom in Australia’s resource industry, the emergence of a ‘Cashed up Bogan’ also known as ‘CUBS’ has changed the social stereotype of having a low socio-economic status. While spending their six figure salaries on toys such as Harley Davidsons, plasma televisions, and Nintendo’s, their money is only fuelling their sedentary lifestyle, therefore advancing their chance of poor health outcomes. Furthermore, Bogans spend “a couple of grand partying on the weekend” (A Current Affair, 2009) as they have so much money at their disposal.

Australia’s Health Care system is most affected by the issue of individuals poor lifestyle choices, however it is also the social groups of Australian Society who are suffering. Those who are in desperate need of healthcare resources, are waiting in line behind people who are self inflicting their own problems (Miller and Spicer, 2012). As mentioned previously, it is a lack of education that makes us understand the reasoning behind the continued lifestyle choices of Bogans. In order for the entire Bogan population to make the slightest change, the whole community needs to be involved in whichever strategy is put forward to resolve or alleviate the issue (Babor, Rhem, and Room, 2005). If everyone is given the same knowledge of good and poor health choices, including their outcomes, their attitudes might change, as it a majority behaviour that all social circles within the Bogan culture indulge.

The Governments National Alcohol Strategy is still an effective way to help reduce the alcohol and obesity disease rates amongst Bogans; however focusing on an entire communities involvement is the key.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">**ARTEFACT ANALYSIS & REFLECTION:** My artefact represents the Bogan culture and everything that is stereotypically associated with them. It is a good depiction of the culture as their appearance demonstrated by hairstyles, clothing and car choice is socially correct. As obesity and alcohol related illnesses is the health issue determined within the Bogan culture, this video displays their lifestyle choices perfectly to confirm this. This can be seen at 0:21 as ‘Bazza’ is sitting on the couch holding a VB, he is eating take away food at 0:59 and 1:53 in addition to ordering a packet of cigarettes at 0:15. While researching and comparing all the statistics on Bogans and their health outcomes, it is alarming to see that they are perceived and in fact are, still surrounded by the same cultural associations 10 years later. Society is now more educated and aware of lifestyle choices that affect health outcomes however it seems that this is not the case for Bogans, as research has shown they are majority of the population suffering from poor health. As my profession will be in the Public Health sector as a Paramedic, I will come across individuals with alcohol related disease and obesity cases. As I will be a specialist gaining first hand experience of the affects of a Bogan’s lifestyle choice, I can see myself wanting to further educate this culture as they are harming their own wellbeing, when there are ways to prevent this.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">PEER REFLECTION: **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> **http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/%27Ooh+La+La%2C+Did+you+see+that%27-+How+equitable+is+the+playing+field+when+it+comes+to+women%27s+sport**

A well discussed piece. I also like the layout of your wiki as it is easy to read. You mentioned that only 9% of women’s sport is broadcasted, and I agree that that’s the way society is today because sport has always been seen as being male dominated. However, its not until the women prove better than males, such as the Olympic swimming, that they are in the spotlight. And sometimes not for the best reasons either, as your artefact depicts the sexualisation of sport (which was a great choice) that is yet another reason that women are then only given news time. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">I think your choice of artefact was impressive. It is abstract and definitely not the first image anyone thinks of when drinking, but a stage most high-risk alcohol drinkers would actually get to. Your statistics have backed up your highlighted points perfectly and you have gone very in depth with the different cultural perspectives on drinking. Very well done
 * http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/%09Alcohol-drinking-badass**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">**REFERENCES:**

<span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">A Current Affair. (2009, September 23). Cashed up Bogans [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x51CEzp0uA

Australian Government, Department of Health and Aging. (2009). National Binge Drinking Campaign Evaluation Survey. Retrieved from Department of Health and Aging website http://www.drinkingnightmare.gov.au/internet/drinkingnightmare/publishing.nsf/Content/3F34473572CF15F2CA257679007C3A7A/$File/eval9.pdf

Australian Government. (n.d.). Swap it don’t stop it. Retrieved October 29th, 2012, from http://swapit.gov.au/

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2007). The Burden of Disease and Injury in Australia 2003. Retrieved October 27th, 2012, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442467990

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2008). 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Detailed findings. Retrieved October 27th, 2012, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459906

Babor, T., Rehm, J., & Room, R. (2005). Alcohol and public health. The Lancet, 365(9458), 519-530. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0140673605178702

Baum, C., & and Ruhm, C. (2009). Age, socioeconomic status and obesity growth. Journal Of Health And Economics, 28 (3) 635-648. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2009.01.004

Chen, E. (2012). Protective factors for health among low-socioeconomicstatus individuals. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21, (3), 189-193. doi: 10.1177/096372141 2438710

Clark, A., Duncan, A., Trevoy, J., Heath, S., & Chan, M. (2011). Healthy diet in Canadians of low socioeconomic status with coronary heart disease: Not just a matter of knowledge and choice. Heart & lung: The Journal of Critical Care, 40 (2), 156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2010.01.007

Department of Health and Aging. (2010). Retrieved October 27th, 2012, from http://www.drinkingnightmare.gov.au/internet/DrinkingNightmare/publishing.nsf

Dunn, R. (2010). Health behaviour vs the stress of low socioeconomic statusand health outcomes. The Journal Of The American Medical Association, 303 (12), 1199-1200. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.332 Miller, T., & Spicer, R. (2012) Hospital admitted injury attributed to alcohol. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research, 36 (1) 104-112. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01593.x

Patty, W. (2001). Evaluating health education outcomes. The Journal of School Health, 71(8), 414-416. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2001.tb03539.x

Pini, B., McDonald, P., & Mayes, R. (2012). Class Contestations and Australia's Resource Boom: The Emergence of the 'Cashed-up Bogan. Sociology, 46(1), 142-158. doi: 10.1177/0038038511419194

Preventative Health Task Force. (2008). Alcohol programs and policy in Australia. Retrieved October 26th, 2012, from: http://www.preventativehealth.org.au/internet/preventativehealth/publishing.nsf/Content/tech-alcohol-toc~tech-alcohol-1~tech-alcohol-1.4

This Bogan’s Not Welcome In Sydney. (2008, April 16) The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/docview/430213997/abstract

Zhunio, M, C; Vishwasrao, S; Chiang, P, E. (2012). The influence of remittances on education and health outcomes: a cross-country study. Applied economics, 44 (35), 4605. Retrieved from http://professorchiang.com/files/Chiang_ApEc2011.pdf