Health Priority Areas
What does CVD stand for, and why is it a priority health issue in Australia?
Cardiovascular Disease; it is one of the leading causes of death and is largely preventable.
What are the three main social justice principles?
Equity, diversity, and supportive environments.
What does epidemiology measure? Name two indicators.
It measures health status; indicators include mortality and morbidity, Infant mortality and Life expectancy
What are the four main determinants of health?
Sociocultural, socioeconomic, environmental, and individual factors.
Name the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter.
Build healthy public policy, create supportive environments, strengthen community action, develop personal skills, reorient health services.
Name two priority population groups at higher risk of chronic diseases in Australia.
Indigenous Australians, the elderly, rural and remote populations.
What does “equity” mean in the context of health promotion?
Ensuring fair access to health services and resources for all groups based on their needs.
What does the term “infant mortality rate” mean?
The number of infants who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births.
Name two sociocultural factors that influence health outcomes.
Family, peers, media, religion, culture.
What is an example of building healthy public policy?
Implementing tobacco taxes to reduce smoking rates.
Which health condition has the “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide” campaign aimed to prevent?
Skin cancer.
Give an example of how supportive environments improve health outcomes.
Mobile health clinics provide access to care in rural and remote areas.
Why is life expectancy an important indicator of health status?
It reflects the overall health and well-being of a population.
How does a person’s level of education impact their health outcomes?
Higher education often leads to better health literacy and healthier lifestyle choices.
Which action area focuses on empowering communities to take action on their health?
Strengthening community action.
What are the five key criteria used to identify health priority areas in Australia?
Social justice principles, priority population groups, prevalence of the condition, potential for prevention and early intervention, and cost to individuals and the community.
How does diversity apply when addressing Indigenous health issues?
Programs must be culturally appropriate and include Indigenous input to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
What role do epidemiologists play in public health policy?
They collect and analyze data to identify health issues and provide evidence for health strategies and policies.
Why do rural and remote areas experience poorer health outcomes?
They have limited access to healthcare services, resources, and specialists.
How does developing personal skills improve health outcomes?
It educates individuals about healthy lifestyle choices, leading to better decisions (e.g., nutrition programs).
Why is the potential for prevention and early intervention important when selecting health priority areas?
It helps identify issues that can be reduced or prevented through early action, like promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent diseases such as Type 2 diabetes.
Why is access considered an essential part of social justice principles?
Without physical, financial, or informational access, disadvantaged groups cannot benefit from health services or initiatives.
Explain how prevalence and incidence differ in epidemiology.
Prevalence is the total number of cases in a population, while incidence is the number of new cases over a specific time.
How do environmental determinants, like air quality and housing, impact health outcomes?
Poor air quality can lead to respiratory diseases, and inadequate housing increases the risk of infectious diseases.
What does “reorienting health services” mean? Provide an example.
Shifting the focus from treatment to prevention; e.g., immunization programs or screening initiatives.