Understanding and measuring Australia’s health
What does the term epidemiology mean?
The study of patterns, causes and effects of health and disease in populations.
List the five dimensions of health.
Physical, social, emotional, mental/cognitive, spiritual.
Identify one major health issue affecting young people in Australia.
Mental health, risk-taking behaviours, obesity, alcohol use, road safety, sexual health.
State one health promotion initiative aimed at young people in Australia.
Headspace, Beyond Blue, RBT, Slip Slop Slap, DrinkWise, Black Dog Institute.
Name the measures of health status
Life expectancy, infant mortality, mortality, morbidity
Define the term subjective health.
An individual’s personal perception of their own health status.
Outline one protective factor and one risk factor for mental health.
Protective: supportive friends/family, coping strategies.
Risk: bullying, drug/alcohol use, isolation.
Name two action areas of the Ottawa Charter.
Build healthy public policy, Create supportive environments, Strengthen community action, Develop personal skills, Reorient health services.
Explain one advantage and one limitation of using epidemiology to measure health.
Advantage: identifies priority health issues and trends.
Limitation: does not show individual quality of life or all determinants.
Explain why young people’s perceptions of health change over time.
Health is dynamic - Influenced by age, experiences, maturity, responsibilities, peer and cultural expectations.
Explain how socioeconomic status influences the health of young people.
Low SES = limited access to healthcare, education, sport, nutritious food; higher risk of poor health outcomes.
Explain how the “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign used one Ottawa Charter action area to improve young people’s health.
Develop personal skills: educating sun safety.
Create supportive environments: shade at schools, sunscreen availability.
Compare the life expectancy trends of males and females in Australia.
Both have increased, but females consistently live longer than males.
Provide two examples of how gender can influence young people’s perception of health.
Males may view health as physical fitness and strength, females may consider appearance, mental wellbeing, and relationships as part of health.
Discuss how road safety is a health priority for young Australians.
Young people are overrepresented in road accidents due to inexperience, risk-taking, alcohol/drugs. Education and legislation (e.g. graduated licensing) make it a priority.
Explain how one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) can be used to improve the health of young people in Australia.
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
“Promotes access to health services, mental health support, vaccination, and programs to improve young people’s physical and social health.”
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
“Focuses on reducing health disparities by improving access to services for disadvantaged groups, including rural, Indigenous, and low socioeconomic youth.”
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
“Supports safe and healthy environments, like parks, recreational facilities, and safe transport, encouraging physical activity and social participation.”
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
“Promotes safe communities and supportive institutions, ensuring young people are protected from violence, bullying, and unsafe conditions.”
Justify why cardiovascular disease is considered a priority area for health in Australia.
CVD has high mortality, contributes significantly to burden of disease, is preventable through lifestyle changes and affects disadvantaged groups disproportionately.
Analyse how social and cultural expectations shape young people’s definitions of health.
Peers, media and cultural norms influence what young people see as important – e.g. body image, alcohol use, fitness trends, family expectations.
Critically analyse the impact of social media on young people’s physical, social and emotional health.
Positive: connection, access to information, health campaigns.
Negative: cyberbullying, poor body image, screen time reducing physical activity, stress and anxiety.
Propose a health promotion strategy for vaping among young people, using Ottawa Charter principles.
Build policy: ban flavoured vapes.
Develop skills: education in schools.
Supportive environments: smoke-free/vape-free areas.
Community action: peer-led anti-vaping campaigns.