HPIA - Core 1 Flashcards
What is epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the study of patterns and causes of health and disease in populations and the application of the study to measure Australia’s health status.
What can epidemiology tell us?
Epidemiology can tell us the basic health status of Australia in the context of quantifiable health measures of ill health.
This data is gathered and used to provide trends in disease incidence and prevalence with information about different groups such as ethnic, socio-economic, and gender groups.
Epidemiology uses data on death rates, birthrates, illnesses, injuries, treatments provided, hospital usage, and money spent by consumers the government
which can be used to create targets for preventative healthcare.
Who uses these measures?
- The Government
- Researchers and Health Department Officials
- Health and Medical practitioners
The data is used to help identify priority issues and possible causes of death or illnesses.
What are the measures of epidemiology?
- Life expectancy (the period of time a person can expect to live)
- Infant mortality (death of a baby under the age of 1)
- Morbidity (Levels of ill health in a population group)
- Mortality (The state of being Mortal)
What are the leading causes of Mortality in Australia?
1) Coronary Heart disease
2) Alzheimer and dementia
3) Cerebrovascular disease
5) Lung cancer
6) Prostate cancer (males)
7) Breast cancer (females)
For road accidents, why have death-rates in the 15-24 age bracket fallen?
Because seat-belts are now mandatory and helmets and speed cameras were introduced
Although Mortality through cancer has decreased, why has the incidence rate/diagnosis increased?
Mortality caused by cancer is on the decrease since Prevention and early intervention actions such as breast screening for females through Breast screen Australia and prostate examinations for males are encouraged. Diagnosis has increased because of this reason however can be intervened during the earlier stage to reduce mortality.
What are the major causes of Morbidity?
Musculoskeletal, sexual and mental health issues
Is life expectancy for both females and males without disability increasing or decreasing?
Increasing
How are health issues prioritized?
- Social justice principles
- Cost to individuals and community is considered
- Its prevalence and potential for early intervention
Also - The government needs to consider particular population groups that may need to be prioritized because of gaps in health
What are the benefits of prioritizing health issues?
- Makes a difference
- Reduce costs for individuals and community
- Reduces the prevalence
- Helps particular population groups
What are the social justice principles?
Equity, Diversity and Supportive Environments
What is the purpose of social justice principles?
(recognize, address and consider factors)
- Recognize and address health outcomes such as incidence and prevalence of diseases and death rates
As well as recognize factors that may influence health such as socio-economic status, cultural and environmental factors
What are the priority population groups?
- ATSI
- The Elderly
- Low SES
- Rural and remote living people
How is epidemiology used?
(include an example)
Epidemiology is used to identify priority health issues that need extra resources to eliminate the gap in health outcomes.
They receive more funding and programs catered to them such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service which functions in remote areas to provide greater accessibility to health services.
