Core 1 - CQ3 Flashcards
What is health inequity?
Unfair health differences between groups in society due to social, economic, and environmental factors.
What are the main functions of Public Health Services?
Prevention & Promotion, Primary Care & Community Health, Hospitals, Specialized Services.
What does Prevention & Promotion in Public Health Services include?
Education, awareness, immunization.
What is the role of hospitals in healthcare spending?
Account for 40% of healthcare spending; Public hospitals funded by Medicare, Private hospitals require insurance.
Who funds public health programs in Australia?
Commonwealth Government funds programs like Indigenous health and war veterans.
What services do State & Local Governments operate?
Hospitals, dental care, home/community care (e.g., Meals on Wheels).
What is the role of the Private Sector in healthcare?
Includes private hospitals, practices, and NGOs like Cancer Council.
What is the purpose of Medicare & PBS?
Provides affordable health access via subsidies.
What is the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)?
Provides rural emergency medical care.
What are Patient-Assisted Travel Schemes?
Helps rural patients access care.
What do Mobile Dental Services support?
Supports Indigenous Australians.
What do Multicultural Health Services assist with?
Assists overseas-born Australians.
What is Bulk Billing?
No out-of-pocket cost; GP bills Medicare directly.
How does the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) help Australians?
Provides government-subsidized medicines for most conditions, supporting low SES Australians by reducing prescription costs.
What is the Medicare Levy?
2% of taxable income for all Australians.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
Extra tax (1-1.5%) for high-income earners ($90K+ or $180K+ for families) without private health insurance.
What defines socioeconomically disadvantaged groups?
Lower wealth, education, employment status.
What health inequalities do socioeconomically disadvantaged groups face?
Higher depression, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic disease; 40% higher death rates from coronary heart disease; 6x incidence of lung cancer; higher obesity rates (women: 33%, children: 66%).
What are some determinants of health inequalities?
Sociocultural (risky behaviors), Socioeconomic (poor education), Environmental (homelessness, lack of healthcare access).
What government initiatives support health equity?
Medicare, PBS, Youth Allowance.
What was the total healthcare spending in 2022-23?
$252.5 billion.
What percentage of healthcare spending is on treatment vs prevention?
90% spent on treatment, only 2% on prevention.
What are examples of preventative and early intervention strategies?
Healthy Canteens, Workplace Health Checks, No Smoking Laws, Cycling Lanes, Screenings.
Why is high spending on treatment justified?
Immediate results and measurable impact.
