HUMAN WELLBEING

Geographers make an important contribution to our understanding of the factors that determine the health and wellbeing of Australians and those living in other parts of the world. Areas of particular interest include:

  • The influence that people’s address has on their health. Key areas of interest include the impact of spatial inequalities in on peoples’ health, disease concentrations, spatial analyses of disease prevalence and incidence, environmental influences on health, accessibility to health services and the relationship between housing and health.
  • The relative wellbeing of a population with particular reference to education, employment, housing, health, accessibility of services, environmental quality, social relationships and social connectedness, security and respect.
  • Locational disadvantage – the idea that socio-economically disadvantaged individuals and households are often concentrated in places—both urban and rural – with poor employment, training and educational opportunities.
  • Social isolation – defined as living without companionship, having low levels of social contact, little social support, feeling separated from others, being an outsider, isolated and suffering loneliness.
  • The social policy dimensions of the impediments and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples.

Homelessness is an example of the social disadvantage apparent in even the wealthiest of countries (Source: Shutterstock)

Relevant careers include climate change assessment and planning; consulting and project management; education; environmental and social impact assessment; international development and aid; local and regional development; planning; populational analysis; public policy; social services and welfare.