Pdhpe- Health priorties in Australia PDF

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PDHPE HSC CORE 1- Health Priorities in Australia How are priority issues for Australia’s health identified? Measuring Health Status Health Status of Australia

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Role of Epidemiology ● Epidemiology is the study of the pattern and cause of disease and illness within a population. ● Used to obtain a picture of the health status within a population. ● It is used to determine priority areas for government funding. ● Epidemiology is used to provide trends in disease incidence, and prevalence of illness. ● Researchers, medical personnel, government, organisations all use epidemiology. ● Information can be gathered by surveys, medical records, data from medicare, and health care. ● Limitations of epidemiology are it does not measure quality of life, risk behaviours, and does not take into consideration the determinants of health.

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Measures of Epidemiology ● Mortality- Number of deaths in a population from a particular cause. ● Leading causes of death in Australia are Cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers/dementia, and cancer. ● Australia's mortality rate is decreasing. ● Infant Mortality- The number of deaths among children aged under 1 year in a given period. ● It is on a decrease in Australia. ● Morbidity- Prevalence, and incidence of illnesses, disease, and injury which do not cause death.

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Prevalence is the number of diseases, illnesses, within a population. Incidence is the number of new cases of disease within a population Life expectancy- A indication of how long a person can expect to live. Male born in 2014- 2016 can expect to live for 80.4 years. Females born in 2014- 2014 can expect to live to 84. ATSI have 10 years less in Life expectancy.

Identifying priority health issues The government uses the principles of social justice, considers the costs of the issue for individuals and the community, as well as the prevalence of the condition and potential for prevention or early intervention that will reduce the impact or occurrences of the issues

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Social Justice Principles ● Refers to the value that favours the reduction of inequity. ● Promotes the inclusiveness of the diversity within the community. ● Aims to create a supportive environment. ● Principles of social justice are Equity, diversity, and supportive environments. ● Equity - DIstribution of resources is in accordance with the needs of the individual, and groups. Distribution of resources occurs with no discrimination ● Diversity - Differences that exist between groups, and individuals. Australia is multicultural, which causes certain measures to be met to ensure all groups have access to health services. ● Supportive environments - environments where people live, work and play that protect people from threats to health and that increase their ability to make health-promoting choices. ● Rural and remote people are an example of people whose environment is not as supportive as other environments.

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Priority Population groups

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Prevalence ● Prevalence is the current number of cases of an illness, disease, or injury. ● Incidence is new cases being diagnosed which differs between the two. ● Example is statistics from 2016 show heart disease is the most prevalent cause of death in AUstralia. ● Prevalence can be used to identify priority health issues in Australia.

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Prevention, and early intervention ● As a priority issue is identified, it is vital that there is potential for prevention and early intervention that will make treatment more successful. ● Early intervention is stepping in immediately after the diagnosis and trying to nullify the health issue. ● The easier it is to prevent a disease, the more likely a health promotion will be able to reduce its incidence. ● Early intervention is important as it allows individuals to be potentially willing to change their behaviour. E.g Smoking ● Early intervention depends on the ability to promote strategies, and willingness to improve education on the health issue.

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Costs to the individual and community ● The identification of priority health issues the costs to the individual and community of the health issue must be examined. Costs to the individual and community come in various forms, such as: expenses, time, independence, and connection with other issues, such as mental health issues. ● Example is cancer is expensive to treat, as it involves chemotherapy. The expensive rate can cause a lack of identity for the individual.

What are the priority issues for improving Australia's health? Groups experiencing health inequities There are various groups experiencing health inequities within Australia. These groups require extra resources and funding that aims to help close the gap in health outcomes between these groups and the rest of the Australian population.

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Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) ❏ Nature, and Extent ● Health inequities of lower life expectancy, higher mortality rates, higher infant mortality rates, higher rates of heart disease, and diabetes compared to non-indigenous people. ● Statistics show ATSI males have a life expectancy of 69.1 compared to non indigenous males having a life expectancy of 79. 7. ● ATSI females have a life expectancy of 73.7, compared to non indigenous females having a life expectancy of 83.2. ● ATSI people have higher mortality rates than Australia as a whole. ● Mortality rates show that 62% of ATSI males, and 54% of ATSI females who died were younger than 65. ● The main factors that cause these inequities is a lack of access to health services, issues such as dispossession and a low socioeconomic status. ● ATSI people also have higher rates of mental health issues, which ultimately lead to risk behaviours such as drinking, and smoking. ❏ Sociocultural, socioeconomic, environmental determinants. ● ATSI people are more likely to live in sole parent families, and experience domestic violence within families.(Sociocultural) ● An example of this is the trend which depicts one in five Indigenous adults experience violence. ● History of mental health issues, results in ATSI people using risk behaviours such as alcohol, smoking, and drugs as a stimulus to overcome the issues. (Sociocultural) ● The geographical location of ATSI people is predominantly in rural, and remote areas which makes it difficult to access health services. (Environmental) ● ATSI people also lack access to technology such as breast cancer screening which can lead to an incidence rate of certain cancers. Main reason for this they are either not financially capable or the technology is not distributed to them. (Environmental) ● An example the environmental determinant causing inequities, is an individual who’s ill will not be able to access medical personnel, this may cause the illness to become severe, which

entirely causes incidence rates to increase. ● Statistics show 65% of working-age ATSI people were employed in labour. This causes them to work in hazardous occupations , which leads to respiratory illnesses such as asthma, possibly lung cancer. (Socioeconomic). ● The lack of education will cause individuals to not understand protective behaviours to improve health, and nullify and risk behaviours. ❏ The roles of individuals, communities and governments in addressing the health inequities - ATSI individuals are encouraged to participate in campaigns from governments , and communities to decrease their risk behaviours. They can join campaigns such as “Don’t Make Smokes Your Story.” - Communities are capable of gathering, and creating organisations/campaigns such as ‘Aboriginal Medical Services’. This service aims to provide indigenous Australians a viable, and cheap option to check their health. - Governments put in place policies which aim to improve the health of ATSI people. A policy they have put in place is ‘Close the Gap’ which aims to improve the inequities of low life expectancy, and mortality for ATSI people.

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People in rural, and remote areas ❏ Nature, and Extent ● Health inequities such as higher mortality rates, lower life expectancy, high levels of cancer, higher likelihood of injury, high

morbidity rates. ● Reason for high morbidity rates is obesity being prevalent in these areas, as they lack education on the importance of exercise. Evidence of this are the statistics which show 72% of this group do not participate in exercise, which has caused 69% of this group to be obese. ● People in rural, and remote areas also have higher rates of preventable chronic diseases such as CVD, and diabetes. Evidence of this are the statistics which show 26.5% of individuals in rural, and remote areas are daily smokers, compared to 14.8% of people in major cities within Australia. ● Morbidity is a prominent health inequity as people in rural, and remote areas have a culture of risk behaviours, and lack education on protective behaviours. ❏ Sociocultural, socioeconomic, environmental determinants. ● People in rural, and remote areas have a culture of risk behaviours such as substance abuse. (Sociocultural) ● People in rural, and remote areas are susceptible to drinking risky amounts of Alcohol. Evidence of this is 31% of people in rual, and remote areas are more likely to drink high levels of alcohol. ● Participating in these risk behaviours, cause teenagers to be more prone to these behaviours, as they will externally be influenced by their family and peers. (Sociocultural) ● Adequate health services are difficult to access. There is an uneven distribution of medical services in rural areas, thus requiring these people to travel long distances to improve their health. (Environmental) ● Example of this is 57% of people experiencing severe kidney disease move to less remote areas within a year of treatment. Another facet they lack is technology. ● There geographical location also impacts there access to medical technology. (Environmental) ● Most people in rural, and remote areas receive low funds as they participate in occupations that provide minimal funds. This entirely impact the type of education they receive. (Socioeconomic) ❏ The roles of individuals, communities and governments in addressing the health inequities - Role of individuals is to participate in healthy habits. They can join certain campaigns. - Community creates initiatives to enhance, and reduce the health inequities in rural, and remote areas. An example is the multi

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purpose service programs. Governments have put in place the ‘Royal flying doctor service, which allows people in rural, and remote areas to have access to health services.

High levels of preventable chronic disease, injury, and mental health problems -

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) ❏ Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of most CVD conditions. Atherosclerosis is the build up of fatty material on the interior walls of the arteries. This fatty material is usually cholesterol. ❏ Cardiovascular Diseases include heart attack, Arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, and heart failure.

❏ CVD accounted for 29% of all deaths among Australians in 2015. ❏ Coronary Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the Australian population. Cerebrovascular disease or stroke is the next leading cause of CVD. ❏ CVD deaths have declined considerably over recent decades. This is due to the implementation of prevention strategies to reduce the levels of risk factors. An example is Diet modifications. ❏ Another reason is improved medical care and treatment. ❏ Risk of CVD increases with age. ❏ Protective behaviours- Regular physical activity, regular health checks, and eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats.

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Cancer ❏ Cancer refers to a diverse group of several hundred diseases with a common feature which is the uncontrolled growth, and spread of abnormal body cells. ❏ Cancer is the only major cause of death in Australia that is increasing in incidence in both sexes. ❏ Most significant increases in the past two decades have been for breast cancer, skin cancer, and melanoma. ❏ For men the most frequently occurring life threatening cancers are Prostate, colorectal, melanoma, and lung cancer. ❏ For women it is breast cancer, colorectal, melanoma, and lung cancer. ❏ Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men, and females.

❏ Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer- related deaths in Australian women. ❏ Skin cancer is the most common of all skin diseases in Australia. Type of Cancer -

Lung Cancer

Risk Factor/ Protective Factors Risk factor: - Tobacco smoking - Being exposed to cancer causing agents such as asbestos from hazardous occupations. - Air Pollution Protective Factors: - Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke. - Avoid exposure to hazardous material

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Breast Cancer

Risk factor: - Family history - High Fat diet - Late menopause - Obesity - Early onset Menstruation Protective Factors: - A diet high in fruits, and vegetables, and low in fat. - Have regular Mammograms if over 50 years old. - Self Examination

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Skin Cancer

RIsk factor: - Skin that gets burned not tanned. - High Sun exposure areas - Prolonged sun exposure Protective Factors: - Avoid excess exposure to strong sunlight - Be sun safe by wearing a hat, and sunscreen

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Diabetes ❏ Type 1 Diabetes produces minimal insulin or none at all. ❏ Type 2 Diabetes is where the amount of insulin produced is insufficient, thus causing it to be less effective. ❏ Main protective factor is to ensure a healthy diet, and healthy lifestyle. ❏ Regular physical activity will support type 2 diabetes as it occurs in people who are inactive.

Leading causes of death in Australia according to AIHW 2016 are all cancers, CVD, Dementia, and alzheimer's disease

A growing and ageing population -

Health Ageing

❏ Healthy ageing is a process that includes various behaviour and choices that affect health, such as regular physical activity, good dietary choices, regular family contact and social activities, as well as resilience to life’s circumstances. ❏ Goal of healthy ageing is to enable the elderly to maintain their health into old age, which allows them to contribute to the workforce longer, and engage in society better.

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Increase population living with chronic diseases ❏ Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and respiratory disease and mental health issues continue to impact Australian society and can lead to debilitating conditions. ❏ As Australia’s population continues to age, there is an increased population living with chronic disease and disability. This is because chronic disease and disability are more prevalent in the elderly. ❏ With rising survival rates from cancers, CVD and other major diseases, prevalence of people living with chronic disease and disability is rising and increases the population of the elderly. ❏ 53% of the elderly have a disability, 49% have arthritis, 7% have cancer, and 93% of dementia suffers are in the elderly.

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Demand for health services, and workforce ❏ As a consequence of an increase in the Australian population living with chronic disease or disability, the demand for health, and aged care services has risen. ❏ The increase in aged care facilities also require an increase in workforce training in aged care and issues surrounding chronic

diseases and disability. ❏ The government has introduced a number of initiatives to meet the needs of a growing number of older Australians. An example of an initiative is more funding being provided for dementia care in aged care. ❏ People suffering from poor health are unable to contribute to the workforce. This has lead to a general shortage in the labour force. ❏ In 2012, the Australian government introduced the Living Longer, Living Better aged care reform package, which aims to address the attraction, retention, remuneration, education, training and career development of aged care workers, in order to address workforce shortages.

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Availability of carers, and volunteers

What role do health care facilities and services play in achieving better health for all Australians? Health Care in Australia

- Range and types of health facilities and services

- Responsibilities for health facilities and services

- Equity of access to health facilities and services

- Health Care Expenditure Versus Expenditure on early intervention and prevention

- Impact of emerging new treatments and technologies on health care

- Health Insurance: Medicare and private

Complementary and alternative health care approaches

Complementary, and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to healing practices that don't fall within the area of conventional medicine. It encompasses health areas such as hypnosis, homeopathy and meditation. Currently two thirds of Australia use these health care approaches.

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Reasons for the growth of complementary and alternative health products and services ❏ People see it as an opportunity to exert control over their own health by understanding exactly what is happening in the approach. E.g acupuncture. ❏ Consumption of organic foods is evidence of the consumer having confidence in aspects of their own health. ❏ Another reason is the desire of many people to have natural or herbal medicines rather than synthetically produced medicines. ❏ Alternative medicine focuses on the whole person rather than aspect. ❏ Traditional beliefs for many cultures is met ❏ An increase in multiculturalism of Australia.

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Range of

products, and services available

❏ Acupuncture- System of healing that has developed over thousands of years. It involves inserting very fine needles into the skin. Left in the skin for up to 30 minutes. Acupuncture stimulates the mind, and the bodies healing response. ❏ Massage- An old, and simple form of therapy. Induces relaxation, and muscle tension. Forms of massage include remedial massage, therapeutic massage, sports and swedish massage. ❏ Naturopathy- Seeks to address symptoms of illness, and reinforces that individuals need to take control of their health. Can include identifying exercise, diet and massage as a measure to improve health. ❏ Iridology- Analysis of the human eye to detect signs of individuals wellbeing. ❏ Bowen therapeutic technique- System of muscle, and connective tissue movements that gently realign the body, and stimulate blood flow. ❏ Chiropractic- Chiropractors adjust the spine by hand or small instruments.

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How to make informed consumer choice

What actions are needed to address Australia’s health priorities? Health promotion based on the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter Health promotion is a combination of science, medicine, practical skills and beliefs aim at improving health.

Five Action Areas- DRSBC Develop Personal Skills: Allows individuals to equip skills to improve, and increase their health status. Can occur through home, school, or community gatherings. An example is participating in healthy eating, and exercise programs. Reorient health services: Shifting towards a system that promotes health rather than cure. Connects health sector through political, economic, social, and physical environments. An example is referring patients with mental health to support groups, or organisations such as beyond blue. Strengthens community Action: Improve health outcomes by making decisions, planning, strategies, and priorities. Main goal is to Empower communities. An example is the Close The Gap campaign. Builds public health policy: Used to foster equity, healthier goods, public services and cleaner environments. Can occur through policy development of legislation, tax, organisations, and fiscal measures. A...