FQ1
Definition of Epidemiology?
the study of the patterns and causes of health and disease in populations and the application of this study to improve health.
Identify 3 determinants of health
Socioeconomic, sociocultural, environmental
What is the impact of an ageing population on the health system and workforce?
Due to a higher population of elderly people, demand is higher for more doctors and services. Less doctors are available to see, they are being overworked and underpaid.
What is a limitation of epidemiology?
Doesn’t always show the significant variations in health status among population groups (ATSI and Non-ATSI)
Doesn’t accurately indicate quality of life (distress, impairment, disability, handicap etc)
Cannot provide whole health picture (data on mental health are incomplete or non-existent)
Fail to explain ‘why’ health inequities persist
Doesn’t account for determinants that shape health (social, economic, environmental & cultural.
What is the difference in years life expectancy between ATSI and Non-ATSI.
10 years
Give examples of institutionalised and non-institutionalsed health care services.
Institutionalised - hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes
Non-institutionalised - GPs, pharmacy, dentist
What are the measures of epidemiology and what do they tell us?
Life Expectancy: indicates the number of years a person is expected to live.
Mortality: death rates: indicates how many people die in a particular population, how they died & over what period.
Infant Mortality: indicates the number of infant deaths in the first year of life.
Morbidity: examines the prevalence and incidence of disease and sickness in a specific population.
The main groups that experience health inequities in Australia are
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, socioeconomically disadvantaged people, people in rural and remote areas, overseas-born people, elderly people, people with disabilities.
What are 2 positives and 2 negatives about private health care ?
Pro - no waiting list, choice of doctor
Con - Expensive, not equitable, don't use it often
Explain the 3 social justice principles and provide an example of each.
Equity: Resources are allocated in accordance with the needs of individuals and populations - the desired goal of equality of outcomes.
Diversity: Refers to differences that exist between individuals and people groups.
Supportive Environments: Are environments where people live, work and play that protect people from threats to health and increase their ability to make health-promoting choices.
The leading 3 causes of disease groups contributing to burden in Indigenous Australians in 2018 were:
Mental & substance use disorders (such as anxiety, depression, and drug use).
Injuries (such as falls, road traffic injuries, and suicide)
Cardiovascular diseases (such as coronary heart disease and rheumatic heart disease)
Cancer and other neoplasms (such as lung cancer and breast cancer) and
Musculoskeletal conditions (such as back pain & problems and osteoarthritis).
Give one responsibility for each level of the government for health care.
Federal - administration of national health care scheme (Medicare), delivers national HP (tobacco)
State - administer and legistate health services within their boundaries e.g. hospitals, family health centres. Legislate private health care services e.g. East maitland private hospital
Local - implement to direct community e.g. immunisation, providing public parks
Name 2 of the 4 key priority population groups areas.
Cultural, Environmental, Age, Socioeconomic/Financial
What are the 3 high levels of preventable chronic diseases, injury and mental health problems and what are the risk factors and protectice factors.
CV Disease, Cancer (skin, breast, lung), diabetes.
Protective Factors: Well balanced healthy diet, exercise, not engaging in smoking, sun screen, etc.
Give three examples of emerging technologies in medicine and health care?
1. Artifical limbs (bionic kidney)
2. Robotic surgeons
3. STEM cell application