Aos 2 Overview Flashcards
Old Public Health
government actions that focused on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease, such as providing safe water, sanitation and sewage disposal, improved nutrition, improved housing conditions and better work conditions
Establishment of government-funded water and sewage systems and better sanitation
Reduction in deaths from infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid and cholera
Quarantine laws
Prevented arrival and transmission of infectious diseases from other countries
Elimination of housing slums and introduction of better-quality housing
Reduced deaths from respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and infectious diseases such as typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea
Improved food and nutrition
Widespread refrigeration which reduced need of use of harmful preservatives -> reducing stomach cancer
Establishment of public health campaigns
Addressed mortality and morbidity from tuberculosis and venereal disease
More hygienic birthing practices
Safe and hygienic birthing conditions with trained and registered midwives and doctors -> reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates
Provision of antenatal and infant welfare services
Better quality milk, increase in breastfeeding -> improvements in infant mortality rates
Biomedical approach to health
Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness. It is a medical model practiced by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment and cure of disease
Biomedical Features
*Focuses on individuals who are ill
*Concerned with disease, illness and disability
*Relies on services provided by doctors, specialists and hospitals
*Quick fix approach
*Relies on technology to diagnose, treat and cure
Biomedical: +
+ Funding brings about improvements in technology and research
o X-rays, antibiotics, anaesthetics
+ Extends life expectancy
o Infectious diseases common in the past can now be treated/cured
Biomedical: -
- Professional health workers and technology is costly
o Cost of training and equipment - Every condition cannot be treated
o E.g cancer has treatments but no cure
New/Social public health
An approach that expands the traditional focus on individual behaviour change to one that considers the ways in which physical, sociocultural and political environments impact on health
*Involves intersectoral collaboration
Groups from many sectors, such as government, health and the private sector, working together to achieve a common goal
Addresses the broader determinants of health
oBehavioural factors such as tobacco smoking and a healthy diet
oGender, culture, race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location and physical environment
Empowers Individuals and communities
Individuals more likely to participate in healthy behaviours if they have a sense of power and control over their situation
Acts to reduce social inequities
Sociocultural factors that contribute to inequities in health status must be addressed
Acts to enable access to healthcare
Cultural and language barriers, economic and geographical factors, education levels -> healthcare being readily available to everyone
Social: +
+ More holistic approach to h+w
o Focus on more than just present diseases
+ Education can be passed on from generation to generation
o Promoting sustainable improvements in health status
Social: -
- Not every illness of condition can be prevented
o Some conditions (E.g genetic conditions) can be difficult to prevent - Health promotion messages may be ignored
o Relies on public cooperation -> people may choose to ignore
OCHP
An approach to health developed by WHO that aims to reduce inequities in health. Reflects social model of health and provides five action areas that can be used as a basis for improving health status, all of which are centred around three strategies for health promotion which are enabling, mediating and advocacy.
Build health public policy
decisions made by government and organisations regarding laws and policies that make it more difficult for people to undertake unhealthy behaviours and seek to make healthier choices the easier choices
o GST removal on unprocessed foods
Create supportive environments
recognises the impact that broader determinants have and aims to promote a healthy physical and sociocultural environment for all members of the community that is safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable
o Quitline
Strengthen community action
building links between individuals and community, centres around the community working together to achieve a common goal
o Immunisation strategy
Develop personal skills
gaining health-related knowledge and skills that allow people to make informed decisions that may indirectly affect health and wellbeing
o A community health centre running cooking classes
Reorient health services
changing the health system so that it promotes h+w rather than just focusing on diagnosing and treating illness
o Doctors focusing discussion around healthy eating rather than just medication