Utility stress as a social determinant of health: exploring the links in a remote Aboriginal community.
OBJECTIVE
The implications of the high cost of water on the poverty and subsequent health of Aboriginal residents in a remote community in Australia.


METHODS
During 2003, a focus group session was held with adults at Umoona Aboriginal community in South Australia. Participants were asked to comment on key issues of concern in the provision of the domestic water supply.


RESULTS
The Umoona community members in Coober Pedy identified the high cost of water and electricity as key hardship factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Plans under the National Water Initiative to move to full cost recovery for water and the privatisation of public utilities may result in increased hardship for low-income groups such as Aboriginal people. Utility stress (difficulties paying water, electricity, gas or telephone accounts by the due date) increases poverty and relative deprivation, both key factors in the social determinants of health. Increased community service obligations (CSO) and rebates need to be made available to all low-income groups in order to reduce the negative impact of poverty.
Willis
Eileen
E
School of Medicine, Flinders University, South Australia. Eileen.willis@flinders.edu.au
Pearce
Meryl
M
McCarthy
Carmel
C
Jenkin
Tom
T
Ryan
Fiona
F
D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017144:Focus Groups; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008029:Lighting / Q000191:economics*; D011203:Poverty; D013021:South Australia; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D013689:Telephone / Q000191:economics*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000191:economics*