core 1 Flashcards
what is epidemiology
the studying of disease and problems in certain populations
what can epidemology tell us ?
Mortality Birth rate Disease incidence and prevalence Contact with health providers & hospital usage Money spent on health care
What are and who uses epidemiology measures?
- mortality rates, infant mortality, morbidity and life expectancy. -Used by government and health care professionals → target specific health issues, allocate resources & promote healthy lifestyle
does epmidologhy measure everything about health.
no, it doesn’t- doesn’t give us a range of information such as sociocultural
what are the current trends
Life expectancy ↑ (79:84) Death rate from heart disease ↓ Lung cancer ↑ Leading cause of DEATH = CVD Leading cause of female death = CVD Leading cause of male death = Cancer Diabetes is increasing in prevalence; 2 new cases of diabetes type 1 each ay Death rates in disadvantaged groups are 70% higher ATSI: ↓ death rates, ↓ asthma hospitalisations, ↑ cancer survival, ↓ in smoking and drug use, ↑ contraception usage, ↑ diabetes, high mental disorders, road accidents and obesity, low physical activity and nutrition
How do we identify priority issues for Aus’s health?
priority population groups → determine needs and promote equity Aboriginals ↑ death rate Low SES ↑ incidence of disease Rural ↑ death and morbidity Men ↑ risk of certain diseases Prevalence of condition Potential for prevention and early intervention Social justice principles Equity Access Participation Rights Costs to the individual and community Direct: diagnosis, treatment, prevention Indirect: value of output lost due to morbidity & mortality
What role do the principles of social justice play?
- Equity: Fair allocation of resources without discrimination
Boosts the health of the whole Australian population
- Access: Availability of health services, info and education
E.g. rural areas → less health services = ↑ morbidity & mortality
- Participation: Empowerment to get people actively involved in their own health
When people make their own decisions they are more likely to stick to them
Allows permanent lifestyle change → prevention over cure
- Rights: Equitable opportunities to achieve good health
Interrelated to all other points
Why is it important to prioritise?
In order to boost the health of a population, we need to boost the health of the tail end, then push the health status up as a whole – otherwise the tail end will always drag the health down. Further, AUS is a ‘fair’ and ‘anti-discrimatory’ country which means health needs of sub populations must be met.
What is the nature and extent of Aboriginal health inequities?
- 17 year life expectancy difference
- Death rates and infant mortality are 3x greater
- 3x more likely to get diabetes
- Smoking and drinking rates are double
Death rates ↓
How do the determinants of health influence ASTI inequities
Sociocultural:
Family (teenage pregnancy is 6x greater → repercussions for child)
Peers; risk taking behaviour out of bordom
Media; lack of info and stereotypes
Religious; traditional lifestyle avoids medical advances
Socioeconomic:
Education; 5% get further education after HS
Income; median of $230 compared to $387 non-ATSI
Employment; 40% compared to 57% non-ATSI
Environmental:
Lack of education and employment options
Limited health facilities and technology
What are the roles of individuals, communities and governments in addressing ATSI inequities?
Individuals should be empowered to alter modifiable determinants and access health facilities made available.
Communities need to provide access to info, education, services & run preventative programs (e.g. immunisation)
Governments need to provide adequate funding, infrastructure, PBS and Medicare.
What is the nature and extent of SED health inequities?
Nature:
- Lower socio-economic status → higher health inequities (social gradient
↑ smoking, obesity, diabetes, CVD, public services
↓ preventative methods (e.g. dental)
Extent:
32% higher disease burden
4 year life expectancy gap
70% higher death rates (15-64 years)
Explain how the determinants of health impact inequities
Sociocultural:
Poor lifestyle choices due to a lack of health understanding (family)
Subject to interpersonal conflict, violence and discrimination
Peers → risk taking behaviour out of boredom and lack of health education
Socioeconomic:
Less percentage of people taking further education after HS due to expenses
Low education → low employment opportunities and low pay
Low income → lack of access to ancillary health benefits due to expenses → low engagement in preventative methods and health education which leads to ↑ participation in risk taking behaviours (alcohol, smoking)
Environmental:
Many SED groups are on the outskirts of towns or in rural areas which results in geographic isolation
A lack of access to health services and technology leads to ↓ knowledge of health
What must individuals, the community and the government do to combat SED inequality?
ndividuals:
Utilise those public health services available and free hotlines to gain information and become empowered
understand the difference modifiable health determinants makes to health
Community:
Run health initiative specific to community; e.g. fun runs IF obesity is an issue
Promote awareness of preventative methods
Provide infrastructure and accessible health education programs (e.g. through school or community groups)
Government:
Provide funding for infrastructure
Increase doctors and specific services which communities are lacking
What is the nature of CVD?
Includes:
Coronary Heart Disease: blood to heart muscle
Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke: blood to brain
Peripheral Vascular Disease: blood to limbs
Preventable → smoking, cholesterol, inactivity, nutrition
Aboriginals & low SES most at risk
