Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australians
IQ : How are priority issues for Australia’s health identified?
Measuring health status
- role of epidemiology
To identify a disease in a certain population through analysing patterns, census and
statistics.
What epidemiology tells us?
Epidemiology tells us the seriousness and extent of particular health issues experienced
within a population.
Limitations of epidemiology:
Epidemiology doesn’t answer ‘why’ particular diseases affect certain populations, doesn’t
consider the determinants of health and quality of life, or the dimensions of health.
Who uses edmideomogy?
Researchers, health department officials, the government, and health or medical
practitioners use epidemiology.
- Measures of epidemiology (mortality,infant mortality, morbidity, life expectancy)
Mortality - The number of deaths in a population over time.
Morbidity - The number of people infected by the disease in a population.
Infant mortality - The number of deaths per 1000 babies under the age of 1.
Life expectancy - The amount of years a person may live up to.
Identifying priority health issues
How does Australia identify priority health issues?
- Social justice principles - Issues where equity, diversity and supportive environments
aren’t satisfied are a priority. E.g. people with disabilities, Centrelink.
- Priority population groups - issues where groups have poorer health outcomes
compared to the rest of the population are priorities. E.g. ATSI, Close the Gap.
- Prevalence of condition - issues where the prevalence of a condition among the
population is high and are a priority. E.g. CVD, cardiovascular health mission.
- Potential for prevention and early intervention - issues where potential for prevention
and early intervention is possible is a priority. E.g. CVD, Jump rope for heart.
, - Costs to the individual and community - issues where the direct and indirect costs to
the individual and community are high are a priority. E.g. cancer, government funding.
What role do the principles of social justice play?
Social justice principles are the equal distribution of opportunities which include access to
resources, equity, diversity and basic human rights. These principles work together to manage
health inequities based on morbidity and mortality rates and cultural, social, economic and
political factors.
Why is it important to prioritise?
It is important to prioritise health issues so that time, money and resources are not wasted and
individuals within a population remain healthy.
IQ : What are the priority health issues for improving
Australia’s health?
Groups experiencing Health Inequalities:
ATSI
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
Elderly
Rural
Overseas
Disabilities
Groups The nature and extent of Sociocultural, Roles of individuals,
experiencing the health inequalities socioeconomic & communities and governments
health inequalities environmental determinants in addressing the health
inequalities
ATSI Nature - ATSI people Sociocultural (family, peers, Individuals:
experience the largest gap religion, culture, media): Taking control of their own health
in health outcomes in Lower standards of living eg. priorities, creating supportive
comparison to the rest of Clean water, availability of fruit environments for others.
the Australian population. and vege, the effects of
colonisation such as loss of Communities:
Extent: culture, identity and Advocating the government
Life expectancy - 10 self worth, higher rates of specific health issues.
years lower than other imprisonment. Developing local initiatives and
Australians. getting others involved.
Socioeconomic
Mortality - Greater death (education,employment): Governments:
rates compared to other More likely to be of low Developing policies and funding
Australians. socioeconomic status. This initiatives. E.g. Close the Gap -
IQ : How are priority issues for Australia’s health identified?
Measuring health status
- role of epidemiology
To identify a disease in a certain population through analysing patterns, census and
statistics.
What epidemiology tells us?
Epidemiology tells us the seriousness and extent of particular health issues experienced
within a population.
Limitations of epidemiology:
Epidemiology doesn’t answer ‘why’ particular diseases affect certain populations, doesn’t
consider the determinants of health and quality of life, or the dimensions of health.
Who uses edmideomogy?
Researchers, health department officials, the government, and health or medical
practitioners use epidemiology.
- Measures of epidemiology (mortality,infant mortality, morbidity, life expectancy)
Mortality - The number of deaths in a population over time.
Morbidity - The number of people infected by the disease in a population.
Infant mortality - The number of deaths per 1000 babies under the age of 1.
Life expectancy - The amount of years a person may live up to.
Identifying priority health issues
How does Australia identify priority health issues?
- Social justice principles - Issues where equity, diversity and supportive environments
aren’t satisfied are a priority. E.g. people with disabilities, Centrelink.
- Priority population groups - issues where groups have poorer health outcomes
compared to the rest of the population are priorities. E.g. ATSI, Close the Gap.
- Prevalence of condition - issues where the prevalence of a condition among the
population is high and are a priority. E.g. CVD, cardiovascular health mission.
- Potential for prevention and early intervention - issues where potential for prevention
and early intervention is possible is a priority. E.g. CVD, Jump rope for heart.
, - Costs to the individual and community - issues where the direct and indirect costs to
the individual and community are high are a priority. E.g. cancer, government funding.
What role do the principles of social justice play?
Social justice principles are the equal distribution of opportunities which include access to
resources, equity, diversity and basic human rights. These principles work together to manage
health inequities based on morbidity and mortality rates and cultural, social, economic and
political factors.
Why is it important to prioritise?
It is important to prioritise health issues so that time, money and resources are not wasted and
individuals within a population remain healthy.
IQ : What are the priority health issues for improving
Australia’s health?
Groups experiencing Health Inequalities:
ATSI
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
Elderly
Rural
Overseas
Disabilities
Groups The nature and extent of Sociocultural, Roles of individuals,
experiencing the health inequalities socioeconomic & communities and governments
health inequalities environmental determinants in addressing the health
inequalities
ATSI Nature - ATSI people Sociocultural (family, peers, Individuals:
experience the largest gap religion, culture, media): Taking control of their own health
in health outcomes in Lower standards of living eg. priorities, creating supportive
comparison to the rest of Clean water, availability of fruit environments for others.
the Australian population. and vege, the effects of
colonisation such as loss of Communities:
Extent: culture, identity and Advocating the government
Life expectancy - 10 self worth, higher rates of specific health issues.
years lower than other imprisonment. Developing local initiatives and
Australians. getting others involved.
Socioeconomic
Mortality - Greater death (education,employment): Governments:
rates compared to other More likely to be of low Developing policies and funding
Australians. socioeconomic status. This initiatives. E.g. Close the Gap -
