How are priority health issues for Australia's health determined?

Question 1

Measuring health status

Answer 1

Health status is measured by investigating health info known as epidemiology

Question 2

Epidemiology

Answer 2

Epidemiology is the study of the patterns and causes of health and disease in populations and the application of this study to improve health.

Question 3

Role of Epidemiology

Answer 3

> Monitor major causes of sickness and death (morbidity + mortality)

> Identify areas that need attention

> Determine priority areas for government funding

> Monitor use of health facilities

> Evaluate the effectiveness of programs

Question 4

Limitations of Epidmiology

Answer 4

Fails to:
>Explain why health inequalities exist

> Recognise the sociocultural influences on health behaviours

> Provide a holistic approach to health

> Focus on all components or dimensions of health

Question 5

Measures of Epidemiology
(M,M,IM,LE)

Answer 5

1. Mortality
   2.Infant Mortality
   3.Morbidity
2. Life expectancy

Question 6

Prevalence and Incidence

Answer 6

Prevalence = the number of diseases that exist at a certain period of time (total cases)

Incidence= the number of new cases at a certain period of time (new cases)

Question 7

Social Justice Principles (3)

Answer 7

1.Equity
2.Diversity
3.Supportive Environments

Question 8

Equity

Answer 8

Equity refers to the FAIR (not equal) allocation of resources and entitlements without discrimination

Question 9

Diversity

Question 10

Supportive Environments

Question 11

Priority Population Groups (6)

Answer 11

> Indigenous
People of Low SES
People who were born overseas
People living in rural/isolated areas
People w/ disabilities
The elderly

Question 12

Costs to an individual

Answer 12

-Financial loss, loss of productivity, diminished quality of life, emotional stress, cost of treatment, wellbeing, mental health etc.

Question 13

Costs to the community

Answer 13

-Increased pressure on health care services, research, workforce impact, preventative measures.

Question 14

Indirect and direct impacts on individuals and communities

Answer 14

Direct= eg. money spent on prevention, cost of diagnosis, medical services, hospital admissions, prescriptions, research, education

Indirect= eg. foregone earnings, absenteeism, premature death, retraining new workers.

Question 15

High cost health issues

Answer 15

-Cardio-vascular disease (CVD)
-Cancer (skin, lung etc)
-Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Question 16

Low cost health issues

Answer 16

-Diabetes
-Asthma
-Osteoarthiritis
-Mental health disorders

Question 17

Why is it important to prioritise?

Answer 17

-To ensure fair allocation of resources and funding

-To ensure money and resources are not wasted

-To target health issues that can be prevented or where early intervention has a large impact on the cost of the disease for the individual or the community