Core 1: FQ1 How are priority issues for Australia's health identified? Flashcards
health status
is the pattern of health of the population in general over a period of time.
epidemiology
is the study of disease in groups or populations through the collection of data and information, to identify patterns and causes.
prevalence
is the number of cases of disease that exists in a defined population at a point in time.
incidence
is the number of new cases of disease occurring in a defined population over a period of time.
distribution
the extent
what is epidemiology used for?
obtain a picture of the health status of a population, to identify the patterns of health and disease, and analyse how health services and facilities are being used.
who uses epidemiology?
governments and health-related organisations
limitations of epidemiology
- do not always show the significant variations in the health status among population subgroups.
- doesnt consider QOL.
- cannot provide the whole health picture.
- fail to explain ‘why’ health inequities persist.
- do not account for health determinants.
limitations of epidemiology statistics are due to:
- the varying reliability of data
- the numerous sources of information
- imprecise methods of data collection
- whether surveys use standard instruments, definitions and classifications
measures of epidemiology
mortality, infant mortality, morbidity, life expectency
Mortality
refers to the number of deaths in a given population from a particular cause and/or over a period of time.
What can mortality rates show us?
mortality can be used to compare health status across groups and between years
Main causes of death in Aust
cancers, cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases, and respiratory diseases.
Infant mortality
refers to the number of infant deaths in the first year of life, per 1000 live births.
What can infant mortality show us?
This measure is considered to be the most important indicator of the health status of a nation, and can also predict adult life expectancy.
True or false: infant mortality has declined over the recent years
true
Why has infant mortality declined?
- improved diagnosis
- improved public sanitation
- health education
- improved services for new parents
True or false: infant mortality is higher in ATSI people
true, it is twice as high
Morbidity
is the incidence or level of illness, disease or injury in a given population.
How is morbity measured?
hospital use, doctor visits, health surveys and reports, disability and handicap incidence.
Life expectancy
is the length of time a person can expect to live. More specifically, it refers to the average number of years of life remaining to a person at a particular age, based on current death rates.
Average life expectancy (men)
80.4 years
Average life expectancy (female)
84.5 years
Why has life expectency improved?
- lower infant mortality
- declining death rates for cardiovascular disease
- declining overall death rates from cancer
- fall in deaths from traffic accidents.
Increased amount of elderly has caused:
increased demand for health services that cater for the elderly,
an increased need for nursing homes,
and the need to provide care for a growing number of dependent people.
What factors are considered when identifying a health priority?
social justice principles
priority population groups
prevalence of the condition
potential for prevention and early intervention
costs to the individual and community.
Social justice
is a value that favours the reduction or elimination of inequity, the promotion of inclusiveness of diversity, and the establishment of environments that are supportive of all people.
diversity
comprises the differences among individuals and among groups of people.
How to prinicples of social justice help identify health priorities?
We can determine the impact these principles have on reducing health inequities and improving the health of the nation
For example, the provision of equal access to resources, health services, education and information may reduce the incidence of diabetes in the indigenous population.
multiculturalism
is the coexistence of groups in a society representing different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
How does identifying priority population groups help identify health priorities?
determine the health disadvantages of groups within the population
better understand the social determinants of health
identify the prevalence of disease and injury in specific groups
determine the needs of groups in relation to the principles of social justice.
What group has higher death rates from heart disease, injury, respiratory diseases and diabetes?
indigenous populations
What groups has a higher higher incidence of disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking and lower use of preventative health services?
Low socio economic groups
People living in rural areas have higher - ?
death rates and a higher incidence of heart disease and injury, compared with people who reside in metropolitan areas
Who is at more risk of lung cancer? Men or women?
Men
Cardiovascular disease is…
the highest preventable cause of death in Australia
For changes to occur, we must address
individual behaviours and environmental determinants.
How is the economic and health burden of an illness measured?
financial loss, loss of productivity, diminished quality of life and emotional stress
Indirect costs of illness
the value of the output lost when people become too ill to work or die prematurely
(for example, the cost of forgone earnings, absenteeism and the retraining of replacement workers).
Direct costs of illness
include the money spent on diagnosing, treating and caring for the sick, plus the money spent on prevention. These costs can be estimated from the expenses of medical services, hospital admissions, pharmaceutical prescriptions, prevention initiatives, research, screening and education, for example.
