Measuring health status
Define epidemiology
The study of patterns of disease and illness within a group of people or population
Why is it important to prioritise heath issues?
To ensure resources (health care workers and facilities) and funding are directed to where they are needed most and will have the most impact
Identify 2 reasons why Australia's population is ageing.
Aus families are having less children, we are living longer, baby boomer generation are now entering the elderly age bracket
Health expenditure in Australia far exceeds expenditure on prevention and health promotion. True or false?
True
Define health promotion.
The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health
Identify 2 common sources of information for measuring health status in Australia.
ABS, AIHW, gov agencies (RMS/RTA, Medicare), non-gov agencies (Cancer Council, Heart Foundation)
SPPPC
Explain the concept 'healthy ageing'.
Refers to the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing and good health in old age.
Provide one example of a local, state and federal responsibility in regards to health care.
Local - community and home based health services, waste disposal
State - hospitals, mental health facilities, ambulance services, preventative screening and immunisation
Federal - national health policies/initiatives, funding, Medicare
Banning smoking in pubs/clubs and advertisements about the dangers of smoking are examples of which action areas of the Ottawa Charter?
Banning smoking - BHPP + CSP
Advertisements - DPS
Define morbidity, mortality, incidence and prevalence.
Morbidity - disease rate
Mortality - death rate
Incidence - new cases within a time period
Prevalence - total number of cases
Outline the social justice principles and provide an example of each.
equity - resources and funding are distributed fairly e.g. Medicare
diversity - recognises the cultural and social differences in society e.g. health information in multiple languages
supportive environments - ensures the places where people live, work and play encourage healthy decision making e.g. outdoor gyms in parks
Explain some of the concerns with a growing and ageing population
Discuss the benefits of prevention and early intervention.
Prevention - reduces risk behaviours, empowers individuals, improves quality of life, is cost effective
Early intervention - increases survival rates, increases the likelihood of recovery
Identify the 5 action areas of the Ottawa Charter.
DPS, CSE, SCA, BHPP, RHS
Justify the reasons (4) for the improvements of life expectancy over the past 100 years.
vaccinations, increased health education, improved diagnosis/treatment/technology, health promotion initiatives, improved living conditions (clean water, sewerage, food quality)
If a health issue results in significant costs to the individual (trauma, cost of treatment, pain/suffering, relationship issues, loss of income) and the community (health care funding, premature death, PBS, medical research, decreased productivity), it is likely to be a health priority.
Provide some examples of health care services (2) aimed at the elderly.
Meals on Wheels, nursing homes, respite care, GP home visits
Outline the role of Medicare in Australia's health care system.
Taxpayer funded system which provides access to all Australians to GPs, basic emergency care and other heath care services (some are free, others are subsidized)
What is the name of the nationwide health promotion initiative which is aimed at improving the health of Indigenous Australians?
Close the Gap
Name the 5 leading causes of mortality overall
1. CHD
2. Dementia
3. Cerebrovascular disease
4. Lung cancer
5. COPD
Use the criteria for identifying priority issues to justify why CVD or cancer are priority health issues in Australia.
Answer must refer to SPPPC
Describe the potential impact on carers of the elderly and the workforce.
Carers - shortage of carers, resulting in stress and the need to take on more duties, inadequate training to do some roles
Workforce - increased workload, stress, less time with family, time off work
Provide 3 reasons for the growth of complementary and alternative health care approaches and provide 3 examples.
Examples - chiropractic, acupuncture, meditation, osteopathy, massage, herbal/Chinese medicine
Reasons for growth - holisitic approach, less side effects, inclusion in private health insurance, formal qualifications are now required for most, increase in availability and affordability, multiculturalism
Identify a health promotion initiative which relates to a priority health issue and explain how it links to the action areas of the Ottawa Charter (at least 3).
Answer must make specific mention to 3 action areas.