Unit 3 AOS 2 SAC 1 Flashcards
Leading causes of disease in the 1900s and why
Infectious diseases Cardiovascular disease Cancer Respiratory diseases Injury and poisoning
Improvements in sanitation, public health (vaccination development and delivery), and medical treatments, such as antibiotics, led to dramatic declines in deaths from infectious diseases during the 20th century.
How has public health changed since 1900 and why
Improvements in sanitation, public health (vaccination development and delivery), and medical treatments, such as antibiotics, led to dramatic declines in deaths from infectious diseases during the 20th century.
- Control of infectious disease
- Better hygiene
- Improved nutrition
- Improved sanitation
- Better understanding of dehydration
What is public health
The organised response by society (governments) to protect and promote health and wellbeing, and to prevent illness and injury.
What is “old” public health
Government actions that focussed on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease, such as providing safe water, sanitation and sewerage disposal, improved nutrition, improved housing conditions and better work conditions.
Biomedical model and examples
The biomedical model of health focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness. It is a medical model of care practiced by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, cure and treatment of disease.
E.g. x-rays, scans, blood tests, surgery, ultrasound etc.
- ‘Bandaid’ or quick fix approach
- aims to return the patient to pre-illness health
- relies on medical practitioners and technology
- focuses on the individual
Improvements in technology as a result of the biomedical model of health
- Stethoscope in 1910 (measure blood pressure)
- New X-ray techniques.
- Heart-lung bypass machine
- Hypertension medication
- Coronary angioplasty and stent
- Cholesterol medication
- Pacemaker
Social model of health
An approach that recognises improvements in health and wellbeing can only be achieved by directing effort towards addressing the physical, sociocultural and political environments of health that have an impact on individuals and population groups
AREAS
Addresses the broader determinants/factors of health:
- focus on more than the behavioural factors
- social, economic, and environmental determinants
Involves intersectoral collaboration:
- government and non-government groups working together to address barriers and improve health outcomes for all
Acts to reduce social inequity:
- reduce the barriers that may prevent people from experiencing good health such as income, race, gender
- aim to ‘level the playing field’
Acts to enable access to healthcare:
- address the social and environmental barriers that may restrict someone’s ability to access healthcare, such as location, income.
Empowers individuals and communities:
- give people the knowledge and skills needed to allow them to participate in the decisions that positively impact their health
Difference in the old and new (social model) models of health
Biomedical model:
Individual focus
Focus on cure
Not all conditions can be treated
Social model:
Population focus
Focus on prevention
Not all conditions can be prevented
Health promotion
The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health
Ottawa Charter
An approach to health developed by the World Health Organisation that aims to reduce inequalities in health. It reflects the social model of health and provides five action areas that can be used as a basis for improving health status, all of which are centred around three strategies for health promotion which are enabling, mediating and advocacy.
Bad Cats Smell Dead Rats
B
Build healthy public policy:
Refers to decisions (laws, policies) made by government and organisations that affect health
Laws and policies that make it easier to practice good health
E.g. removing the goods and services tax (GST) on unprocessed foods (which are healthier options than processed foods) and increasing the tax on certain alcoholic drinks.
Bad Cats Smell Dead Rats
C
Create supportive environments: about making it easier for people to make healthy choices by providing a physical and social environment that promotes health rather than detracts from it.
E.g.
- councils installing shade cloths over playgrounds
- bike paths and walking tracks
- the Quitline online service
- Kids Help Line counselling
- Red Frogs at Schoolies
Bad Cats Smell Dead Rats
S
Strengthen community action: refers to involving many different groups within the community to work towards a common goal of improving health.
This works to build links between individuals and communities to encourage communities to be involved in the development of health promotion campaigns and feel a sense of ownership
E.g. Local Men’s Shed programs
Bad Cats Smell Dead Rats
D
Develop personal skills: is about providing people with the skills they need to be able to take control of their health and make healthy choices.
This priority area is about education, specifically the development of health-related knowledge.
E.g. The big issue
Bad Cats Smell Dead Rats
R
Reorienting health services: is about shifting the health system the health system towards prevention, as opposed to focusing on cure.
A doctor’s waiting room often has preventative messages on their wall, such as reducing tobacco smoking or preventative measures for type 2 diabetes
Social model of health strengths and limitations
Strengths:
- Aimed at a population level; therefore, more cost-effective
- Encourages good health through disease-prevention
- Health messages can be passed down to future generations
- Can be targeted to vulnerable population groups
Limitations:
- Health messages may be ignored
- Not all conditions can be prevented (for example, genetic conditions)
- Doesn’t assist those who are already sick