Changes in Australia's health status over time

Question 1

Life expectancy

Answer 1

‘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.’

Question 2

Fertility rates

Answer 2

The number of live births per 1000 women ages 15-49 in one year

Question 3

Infectious diseases

Answer 3

diseases caused by micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi, that can be spread, directly or indirectly from one person to another

Question 4

Venereal diseases

Answer 4

A disease contracted by sexual intercourse with a person already infected; a sexually transmitted infection

Question 5

Parasitic diseases

Answer 5

Occur when parasites – such as worms, skin mites, body lice and protozoa – enter the body through contaminated food or water, or from contact with others who have parasites on their skin or hair.

Question 6

Cancer

Answer 6

A disease of the body’s cells. Normally cells grow and multiply in a controlled way, however, sometimes cells become abnormal and keep growing. Abnormal cells can form a mass called a tumour. Cancer is the term used to describe collection of these cells, growing and potentially spreading within the body.

Question 7

Respiratory diseases

Answer 7

Diseases affecting the lungs and other parts of the body involved in breathing

Question 8

Cardiovascular disease

Answer 8

Diseases that involve the heart and blood vessels, and interfere with how the blood is circulated throughout the body

Question 9

Public Health

Answer 9

The ways in which government monitor, regulate and promote health status and prevent disease

Question 10

Old Public Health

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Policy

Answer 11

A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a government, or a political party

Question 12

Practice

Answer 12

What has been put in place/implemented by government to improve health outcomes

Question 13

Sanitation

Answer 13

The process of eliminating contact between humans and hazardous wastes, including human and animal faeces and urine, solid wastes, domestic wastewater (sewage and grey water), industrial wastes and agricultural wastes

Question 14

Biomedical approach to health

Answer 14

Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of diseases and illness. It is a medical model practised by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disease

Question 15

Quarantine

Answer 15

Laws that require a person, animal, plant or any type of material that might be carrying an infectious agent to be kept isolated to prevent the spread of disease

Question 16

New public health

Answer 16

An approach to health 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. Also referred to as the social model of health

Question 17

Social Model of Health

Answer 17

An approach that recognises improvements in health and wellbeing can only be achieved by directing effort towards addressing the physical, sociocultural and political environments of health that have an impact on individuals and population groups

Question 18

Advantages of the Biomedical approach

Answer 18

• funding brings about improvements in technology and research
• it enables many illnesses and conditions to be effectively treated
• it extends life expectancy
• it improves quality of life an health adjusted life expectancy

Question 19

Disadvantages of the biomedical approach

Answer 19

• relies on professional health workers and technology and is therefore costly
• It doesn’t always promote good health and wellbeing
• not every condition can be treated
• affordability

Question 20

Advantages of the Social Model

Answer 20

• promotes good health and wellbeing and assists in preventing diseases
• a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing
• less expensive than the biomedical approach
• focuses on vulnerable population groups
• education can be passed on between generations
• responsibility for health and wellbeing is shared

Question 21

Disadvantages of the Social Model

Answer 21

• not every illness or condition can be prevented
• doesn’t promote the development of technology and medical knowledge
• doesn’t address the health and well-being concerns of individuals
• health promotion messages may be ignored

Question 22

Features of the Biomedical Approach

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Policies of Old Public Health

Answer 23

• The Commonwealth Quarantine Act - prevented arrival and transmission of infectious diseases from other countries - closed borders
• Uniform Building Regulations - all houses built with drains and where possible, be connected to a sewerage system or cesspit, have ventilation
• The Harvester Judgement - had to pay workers a wage that guaranteed a reasonable standard of living, basis for minimum wage system

Question 24

Practices of Old Public Health

Answer 24

• establishment of government-funded water and sewage systems and better sanitation
• establishment of public health campaigns
• more hygienic birthing practices
• provision of antenatal and infant welfare services
• mass vaccination programs