Chapter 1- Health of Australians

Question 1

Define burden of disease

Answer 1

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 DALY.

Question 2

Define Disability adjusted life year (DALY)

Answer 2

DALY is 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.

Question 3

Define Health adjusted life expectancy (HALE)

Answer 3

HALE is 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.

Question 4

Define health status

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Define incidence

Answer 5

Incidence is the number or rate of new cases of a disease during a specified period of time (usually 12 months)

Question 6

Define Prevalence

Answer 6

The number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time

Question 7

Define Life expectancy

Answer 7

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 8

Define mental health

Answer 8

a State of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abiliies, 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

Question 9

Define morbidity

Answer 9

Refers to ill health in an individual and the levels of ill health in a population or group

Question 10

Define mortality

Answer 10

Deaths in a population

Question 11

Define physical health

Answer 11

relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, and includes the physical capacity to perform tasks and physical fitness

Question 12

Define Social health

Answer 12

Being able to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and cooperative way.

Question 13

Define under-five mortality rate (U5MR)

Answer 13

The number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1000 live births

Question 14

Define years lost due to disability (YLD)

Answer 14

YLD is a measure of how many healthy years of life are lost due to illness, injury or disability

Question 15

Define years of life lost (YLL)

Answer 15

YLL is a measure of how many years of expected life are lost due to premature death

Question 16

Define health

Answer 16

Health is a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Question 17

What are the 4 aspects of optimal social health?

Answer 17

• Supportive network of friends
• Supportive and well-functioning family
• Productive relationships with other people
• Effective communication with others

Question 18

What are the 4 aspects of optimal mental health?

Answer 18

• Low levels of stress and anxiety
• Positive self-esteem (how a person feels about themselves)
• Positive thought patterns (being optimistic)
• High levels of confidence

Question 19

What are the 7 aspects of optimal physical health?

Answer 19

• Ideal body weight
• Freedom from illness, disease and injury
• Adequate energy levels
• Ability to compete physical tasks adequately
• Appropriate levels of fitness
• Strong immune system
• Well-functioning body, systems and organs

Question 20

Heath indicators are used to measure health status. What are the 4 health indicators?

Answer 20

• Life expectancy
• Mortality
• Morbidity
• Burden of Disease

Question 21

What is infant mortality rate?

Answer 21

The infant mortality rate measures the rate of deaths of infants between birth and their first birthday; usually expressed per 1000 live births

Question 22

What is maternal mortality ratio?

Answer 22

Te maternal mortality ratio is the rate of deaths of women who are either pregnant or in the first 42 days after giving birth or having a termination, expressed per 100,000 live births.

Question 23

What is the equation for calculating burden of disease?

Answer 23

YLL + YLD = DALY’s

Question 24

Where does Australia sit compared to other OECD countries (organisation for economic co-operation and development)?

Answer 24

Australia sits in the ‘best third’ compared to other OECD countries that sit in the middle and worst third.