Health Status & Inequities
What is one indicator used to measure health status?
Life expectancy — the average number of years a person is expected to live.
What is the main purpose of Australia’s healthcare system?
To prevent illness, promote health, diagnose and treat disease, support rehabilitation and improve quality of life.
What is digital health?
Digital health is the use of digital technologies to support healthcare delivery, communication, information management and health promotion.
What does an ageing population mean?
An ageing population is one where the proportion of older people increases, particularly people aged 65+
What is a critical health consumer?
A critical health consumer evaluates the quality, reliability and credibility of health information, products and services before making decisions.
What is the difference between morbidity and mortality?
Morbidity = illness, disease and disability. Mortality = deaths within a population.
What is Medicare and what does it provide?
Medicare is the foundation of Australia's universal healthcare system and provides access to many essential healthcare services.
What is My Health Record used for?
My Health Record allows authorised healthcare providers to access important patient information such as medications, test results and previous treatments
What is meant by healthy ageing?
Healthy ageing means maintaining physical, mental and social wellbeing to live independently and enjoy a good quality of life.
Name two reliable sources of health information.
Examples include government health departments, healthcare professionals, universities and recognised health organisations.
Identify two factors that contribute to health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Colonisation, discrimination, socioeconomic disadvantage, geographic isolation and intergenerational trauma can contribute to inequities.
How does the PBS improve access to healthcare?
The PBS subsidises the cost of medications, making prescription medicines more affordable.
How can telehealth improve healthcare access in rural and remote areas?
Telehealth allows people in rural and remote areas to access healthcare without travelling long distances
Identify two challenges created by Australia’s ageing population.
Challenges include greater demand for healthcare and aged care, increased chronic disease, disability and dementia, and greater pressure on healthcare workers and services.
What factors should be considered when deciding if health information is reliable?
Consider the source, evidence, author's qualifications, scientific research, currency and recommendations from recognised health organisations.
Explain how determinants of health can interact to create health inequities.
Determinants such as education, income, employment, location and access to healthcare interact. For example, low education can reduce employment opportunities and income, which can reduce access to healthcare and healthy food.
Discuss how government and non-government organisations can work together to provide person-centred healthcare.
Government services can provide treatment while NGOs provide additional support, education, advocacy or culturally appropriate care. Working together improves continuity of care and allows services to better meet individual needs.
Analyse how big data can help prevent and manage disease.
Big data can identify disease trends, risk factors and high-risk populations, allowing earlier intervention and more effective disease management.
Explain how technology can support healthy ageing and independence.
Technology such as telehealth, assistive technologies and smart home systems can help older people remain independent for longer.
Explain why people should evaluate the evidence behind health products and services.
Evaluating evidence helps people avoid misinformation and make informed decisions about the benefits, risks and limitations of health products and services.
Evaluate strategies that could reduce health inequities experienced by a population group in Australia.
Strategies include Closing the Gap, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, culturally safe healthcare and targeted health promotion programs. These address healthcare access as well as broader social determinants.
Evaluate the effectiveness of Australia’s healthcare system in achieving equitable access to healthcare.
Australia's system is effective because it provides universal access through Medicare, public hospitals and subsidised medicines, but inequities remain for groups such as rural and remote populations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Evaluate the impact of technology and data on health outcomes in Australia.
Technology and data can improve early diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, healthcare access and decision-making. However, challenges include privacy, cybersecurity, digital literacy and access to reliable technology.
Evaluate Australia’s preparedness for the future needs of an ageing population.
Australia needs continued investment in healthcare workers, aged care, infrastructure, technology, community support and healthy ageing programs, while ensuring equitable access.
Evaluate the importance of being a critical health consumer in modern Australia.
Being a critical health consumer is important because people are exposed to huge amounts of information through social media, advertising and the internet. Evaluating credibility helps people make informed choices and reduces the risk of misinformation.