Measuring Population Health Flashcards
What does individual perspective focus on?
Health
Risk factors
Exposures
What does population perspective focus on?
Disorders - mass disease
Exposures
Give examples of: health-related demographic events + processes
Birth Marriage Migration Ageing Death
Describe: Populations
Dynamic
Diverse
Heterogenous
How do you calculate the birth rate for a particular year?
Live births in year x/mid-year population
How do you calculate the fertility rate?
Live births/women of reproductive age per unit time
Why is mid-year population used?
Populations are constantly increasing so it is an approximate average (median)
Define: period life expectancy
At a given age for an area is the average age a person would live.
Limitations of using period life expectancy
It does not allow for:
- Later changes in mortality
- People living in different areas for some part of their life
Define: cohort life expectancy
Life expectancy calculated using age-specific mortality rates
Benefits of using cohort life expectancy
Allows for projected changes in mortality in later years
What would a population pyramid showing rapidly growing population look like?
Widening base
Narrowing middle and top
What would a population pyramid showing a slowly growing population look like? And why?
- The bands at the base would be narrower than those in the middle
- Due to lower fertility rate
What would a population pyramid showing a decreasing population look like?
- Widest in the middle
- Top would be wider than in a slowly growing population
- Very narrow base
Define: demographic transition
A general pattern of changes in death rates, population growth + birth rates that appear during modernisation
Describe the 4 steps of demographic transition.
Stage 1 - high birth + death rates so population size is stable
Stage 2 - decreased death rates, high birth rates so population grows rapidly
Stage 3 - decreased birth rates so population grows slower
Stage 4 - end of transition - birth rate = death rate so population is stable
What are the benefits of a lower birth rate for a country?
It produces a demographic dividend - fewer dependents per working adult More investment into: - Healthcare - Education - Economic development - Infrastructure
Define: sex ratio
Number of males per 100 females born
Describe: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need
- Self-actualisation - morality/creativity/problem solving/lack of prejudice
- Esteem - confidence/achievement/respect of others
- Love/Belonging - friends/family/partners
- Safety - security of employment, resources, family, health, property
- Physiological - breathing/water/food
Define: Normative need
Identified according to a norm/set standard that is set by experts
Define: Comparative need
Problems that emerge by comparison with others who are not in need
Define: Felt need
Need which people feel from their perspective
Define: Expressed need
Need which they say they have
Define: Demand (in the context of expressed need)
Expressing needs they do not feel
What factors constitute: need
Cultural determinants
Genetics
Research agenda
Lifestyle
What factors constitute: demand
Media
Medical influences
Social, cultural, educational influences
What factors constitute: supply
Public + political pressure
Historical patterns, inertia, momentum
Give an example of: need, but no demand or supply
Family planning + contraceptive services are needed in low income countries to improve women’s reproductive health
Give an example of: demand, but no need or supply
Patients demanding expectorants for coughs/colds
Give an example of: supply, but no need or demand
Routine health checks in people 75+ years are not usually requested but some GPs provide them, even though the benefits are not effective
Give an example of: demand + supply, but no need
People request + are prescribed sleeping tablets for insomnia, but long-term is not effective (no need)
Give an example of: need + supply, but no demand
Not all healthcare staff have the Hep B vaccine (supply but no demand) even though it is an effective preventative measure (need)
Give an example of: need + demand + supply
People with insulin-dependent diabetes demand insulin, it is effective (need) and it is supplied
Define: health needs assessment
A systematic method for reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed priorities + resource allocation that will improve + reduce inequalities
Why is assessment needed?
It is the 1st step to improve population’s health
It can identify causes of health inequalities
It raises understanding of local health problems
What is the 1st step in process for a health needs assessment?
Define population of whose needs you wish to assess
Usually geographical
Can include gender, age, ethnicity
What is another step in process for health needs assessment?
Identify stakeholders Examples: - Public/patients - patient support groups - NHS England - Local government - NHS providers - GPs, hospitals
Why is identifying stakeholders in a health needs assessment important?
Brings expertise + resources
What are the 3 types of health needs assessment?
- Epidemiological - measure health status of population
- Comparative - compare with service provision in similar populations
- Corporate - ask experts
