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Epidemiologists are concerned with the causal mechanisms of disease, i.e. the biological pathways of disease and the societal causes of disease.

There are social, economic and cultural forces that affect individual behaviour and health status.

 

Irish travellers have higher infant mortality rates and in general lower life expectancy rates than the settled population (Farrell et al, 2008).  The combination of poor living conditions and discrimination are stressful factors that can worsen the health of ethnic minority groups.

Asylum seekers and refugees are vulnerable to social exclusion, poverty, exploitation and poor working conditions.

Homeless people experience poverty, marginalisation and poor mental health.

People with disabilities can experience poverty due to a lack of employment opportunities.  Poor access to transport and the built environment can lead to marginalisation.  Due to a shortage of appropriate care and education facilities disabled children and their families can face poverty when parents forego employment to be fulltime carers (Combat Poverty Agency, 2008).