Health priorities In Australia

Question 1

Who uses the measures of epidemiology?

Answer 1

Governments and health related organisations use it to.. obtain a picture of health status, identify patters of health and disease.. and analyse how health services/facilities are being used.

Question 2

What are the measures of epidemiology?

Answer 2

Mortality, infant mortality, morbidity, life expectancy

Question 3

What is prevalence?

Answer 3

The number of cases of a disease that exist in a defined population at a point in time.

Question 4

What does incidence tell us?

Answer 4

The number of new cases occurring in a defined population over a period of time.

Question 5

Observations and statistics help researchers to:

Answer 5

Describe and compare patterns of health groups/ populations.

Identify health needs and allocate resources accordingly.

Question 6

What are the social justice principles?

Answer 6

1) Equity
2) diversity
3) supportive environments

Question 7

An example of epidemiology at work?

Answer 7

Scott winch
University
Studying protective factors of influenza from epidemiology

Question 8

What is mortality?

Answer 8

Refers to the number of deaths in a given population from a particular cause over a period of time.

Question 9

Name some increase in mortality

Answer 9

Cancer has increased by 13% and represents nearly 1/3 of all deaths.
Lung cancer is the most prevalent (number of cases that exists)
Prostate in men
While breast in women

Question 10

What is infant mortality?

Answer 10

Refers to the number of infant deaths in the Iraq year of life, per 1000 live births

Question 11

Infant mortality has been declining.. Why?

Answer 11

• improved medical diagnosis and treatment
• improved public sanitation
• health education
• supports services available
• expansion of technological influence

Question 12

What is morbidity?

Answer 12

Morbidity is the incidence or level of illness disease or injury in a given population..
Eg. ATSI

Question 13

Morbidity measures and indicators include:

Answer 13

• Hospital use
• Doctor visits and Medicare statistics
• Health surveys and reports
• disability and handicap

Question 14

Priority issues include:

Answer 14

• our growing and ageing population
• the level of chronic disease and health problems in society
• health inequities experience by certain groups

Question 15

Diversity:

Answer 15

The differences among individuals and groups of people.

Question 16

Significant inequities in health include:

Answer 16

The alarmingly high incidence of diabetes and injury within ATSI

Question 17

Factors to consider when identifying priority health issues:

Answer 17

• prevalence of condition
• social justice principles
• priority population groups
• costs to the individual and community
• potential for prevention and early intervention

Question 18

How do we identify priority health issues?

Answer 18

How much they contribute to the burden of illness in the community

Their potential for reducing this burden

Question 19

Why is it important to prioritise?

Answer 19

It is important to prioritise to help reduce the inequities faced be certain groups and to lower morbidity and mortality rates in disadvantaged groups.

Question 20

What are the groups experiencing health inequities?

Answer 20

1) ATSI
2) Rural and Remote
3) Elderly
4) Overseas Born
5) socioeconomically disadvantaged

Question 21

Nature and extent of People in rural and remote areas

Answer 21

• generally have lower access to quality health services
• lower education
• lower living chances
• higher chance of incidence for injury
• increased risk taking behaviours

Question 22

Overseas born people

Answer 22

Suffer higher levels of post traumatic stress

• generally have a better diet
• socioeconomically disadvantaged
• generally healthy
• lower rates of skin cancer

Question 23

Socio economic determinants that contribute to health inequities exp. by ATSI

Answer 23

• income
• employment
• education

Resulting in

• poor living conditions
• poor quality health/ medical service

Question 24

Nature and extent of ATSI

Answer 24

• higher death rates for almost all causes
• higher infant mortality rate
• represent higher percentage of the burden of the Aust population
• likely to report health as fair or poorer than othe Australians

Question 25

Govt strategy

“Close the gap”

Answer 25

2008, govt joined with indig health organisations and HRcommision for close the gap.
Aims to reduce health inequalities experienced by ATSI
To achieve equality in health status, infant mortality and life expectancy by 2030.
Funding is also provided for specific quit smoking programs and workforce training
Specific indigenous services offer clinical care , supports groups, transport etc.

Question 26

How have individuals, communities and governments played a role in addressing health inequalities within the ATSI population?

Answer 26

They have implemented programs such as ‘healthy for life’ to enhance primary health care child and maternal care.
The govt has increased expenditure on education by 18% for delivery in remote areas.
Govt improved maternal health and access to cure at the community level
The Northern Territory response service was enlisted to protect from abuse and DV.
These contribute to battle sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental determinants

Question 27

What can epidemiology tell us?

Answer 27

Study of disease in groups or populations through data and information to identify patterns and causes