chapter four: improvements in health

Question 1

describe ‘old’ public health

Answer 1

the old public health in australia aims to address the environmental issues and public hygiene that were contributed to ill-health → focused on specific medical interventions to treat illness and on narrowly defined public health initiatives with the aim of preventing specific illnesses

• focus on improving infrastructure, especially to provide adequate shelter, clean water and sanitation
• medical profession has a central place
• focus on the prevention and treatment of disease
• health is seen as absence of illness

Question 2

describe ‘new’ public health

Answer 2

the new public health is a response by society to protect and promote health and to prevent injury, illness and disability and aims to improve the quality of life by implementing policies and programs and to provide services that protect and promote health equity

• focus on physical infrastructure, but also on social support, behaviour and lifestyle
• recognition of inter-sectoral action
• focus on a positive definition of health

Question 3

relationship between the biomedical and social model of health

Answer 3

• the biomedical model of health focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness → it is a medical model of care practised by doctors and health professionals, and is associated with the diagnosis, cure and treatment of disease (uses advanced medical technology)
• the social model of health aims to move beyond the biomedical view that focuses on symptoms, diseases and patients and address the factors that lead to ill-health and health inequality within the community (aims to promote health)

Question 4

principles of the social model of health (A.R.E.A.S.)

Answer 4

• addresses the broader determinants of health
• acts to reduce social inequities
• empowers individuals and communities
• acts to enable access to healthcare
• involve inter-sectorial collaboration

Question 5

examples of medical technology - biomedical SM

Answer 5

• diagnostic tools and equipment → MRI scanning, CT scanning, genetic screening for disease
• pharmaceuticals
• medical procedures → organ transplant, reproductive technology (IVF), hip and knee replacement

Question 6

strategies of the ottawa charter

Answer 6

1. enable

• means to support people with the information, opportunities, resources and skills that they need to make choices that support good health

2. mediate

• optimal health cannot be ensured by the health sector alone, and health promotion requires coordinated action by all levels of government, the health sector, nongovernment organisations, industry and the media

3. advocate

• support good health and wellbeing → it is about promoting and supporting initiatives that promote health on behalf of the whole community, and protecting health
  as a resource and important determinant in relation to the quality of life

Question 7

action areas of the ottawa charter for health promotion

Answer 7

1. build healthy public policy
2. create supportive environments
3. strengthen community action
4. develop personal skills
5. reorient health services