AOS 1 Flashcards
Burden of Disease
A measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between current health status and an ideal situation where everyone lives to an old age free of disease and disability. Burden of disease is measured in a unit called the DALY.
Chronic Condition
Any disease or condition that lasts a long time (usually longer than six months). It usually can’t be cured and therefore requires ongoing treatment and management. Examples include arthritis and asthma.
Disability adjusted life year (DALY)
A measure of burden of disease. One DALY equals one year of healthy life lost due to premature death and time lived with illness, disease or injury.
Health adjusted life expectancy (HALE)
A measure of burden of disease based on life expectancy at birth, but including an adjustment for time spent in poor health. It is the number of years in full health that a person can expect to live, based on current rates of ill health and mortality.
Health (WHO definition)
A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Health indicators
Standard statistics that are used to measure and compare health status
health status ‘An individual’s or a population’s overall health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability and levels of disease risk factors.’ (AIHW, 2008)
Hospital Separation
Episodes of hospital care that start with admission and end at transfer, discharge or death
Incidence
The number or rate of new cases of a disease during a specified period of time (usually a twelve month period)
Infirmity
State of being weak, lacking in strength (especially from old age) ischaemic heart disease a disease characterised by a blockage of blood vessels (and therefore blood and oxygen) to the heart, also known as coronary heart disease
Life expectancy
‘An indication of how long a person can expect to live,
it is the number of years of life remaining to a person at a particular age if death rates do not change.’ (AIHW, 2008)
Mental health
‘State of well-being in which the individual realises his
or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community’ (WHO, 2009)
Morbidity
‘Refers to ill health in an individual and the levels of ill health in a population or group.’ (AIHW, 2008)
Mortality
Deaths in the population
Mortality rate
(sometimes referred to as ‘death rate’) the measure of
the proportion of a population who die in a one-year period (usually per 100 000)
Physical Health
Physical health relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, and includes the physical capacity to perform tasks and physical fitness
Prevalence
‘The number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time.’ (AIHW, 2008)
Social Health
Social health being able to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and cooperative way
Trend
A general change or movement in a particular direction. For example, trends indicate a significant increase in obesity rates over the past 20 years.
Under-five mortality rate (U5MR)
‘The number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1000 live births.’ (WHO, 2008)
Years lost due to disability (YLD)
A measure of how many healthy years of life are lost due to illness, injury or disability.
Years of life lost (YLL)
A measure of how many years of expected life are lost due to premature death.
Atherosclerosis
the build-up of plaque on blood vessel walls, making it harder for blood to get through
Behavioural determinants
Actions or patterns of living of an individual or a group that impact on health, such as smoking, sexual activity, participation in physical activity and eating practices
Biological determinants
factors relating to the body that impact on health, such as genetics, hormones, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, birth weight
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measure of body mass calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in m2). A score of 18.6–24.9 is considered a healthy weight. 29.9 is considered overweight and 30 and over is considered obese.
Cholesterol
a type of fat required for maintaining cell membranes and producing hormones. One type of cholesterol (LDL) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease
Determinants of health
‘Factors that affect the level of health in a population or individual. Determinants of health help to explain or predict trends in health and why some groups have better or worse health than others.’ Determinants can be classified in many ways such as biological, behavioural and social (AIHW, 2006)
Fertilisation
the fusing of a sperm and egg cell. Marks the beginning of pregnancy. Also known as conception.
Food insecurity
when healthy, affordable food is not obtainable
Food security
‘the state in which all persons obtain nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate, safe food regularly through local non-emergency sources’ (VicHealth, 2008)
Hypertension
high blood pressure
Menopause
when the menstrual cycle stops permanently, ending the ability of a female to reproduce
Mutation
Mutation is when the DNA in a cell is damaged or changed, permanently altering the genetic information within the cell. This can affect the function of the cell in either a positive or negative way. Mutations often occur during cell reproduction
Physical Environment
Physical environment the physical surroundings in which we live, work and play. The physical environment includes water and air, workplaces, housing, roads, nature, schools, recreation settings and exposure to hazards
Protective Factors
Protective factors aspects of a person’s personality and environment that act to protect their health. Examples include resilience, a supportive family and a satisfying job
Relative Poverty
Relative poverty refers to people who have a low income or lack resources compared to the average in the society in which they live
Social Determinants
Social determinants of health aspects of society and the social environment that impact on health, such as poverty, early life experiences, social networks and support
Social Exclusion
Social exclusion is the segregation that people experience if they are not adequately participating in the society in which they live
Social isolation
refers to individuals who are not in regular contact with others
Socioeconomic status (SES)
The social standing of an individual in comparison to others in that society. It is based on education, income and occupation.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
the gradual, permanent loss of kidney function. Kidneys filter the blood and, if CKD progresses, the function of the kidneys may have to be carried out artificially (called dialysis).
Colonisation
the settlement of Australia by Europeans in 1788
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. Problems that may occur in babies exposed to alcohol before birth include low birth weight, distinctive facial features, heart defects, behavioural problems and intellectual disability.
Indigenous Australians
Australians of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin
Perinatal mortality rate
death occurring in the foetus or infant between the twenty-second week of pregnancy and seven days after birth
Syndrome X
(also called metabolic syndrome) when a person exhibits a range of factors that increase their risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Examples of the factors include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance.
Developed country
a country that has advanced adequately with regards to economy, technology and health status
Health Status
“An individual’s or a population’s overall health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability and levels of disease risk factors” (AIHW, 2008)
