What are the priority issues for improving Australia's Health?

Question 1

What are the groups experiencing health inequities?

Answer 1

• ATSI people
• Socioeconomically disadvantaged
• Rural communities
• Overseas born
• Elderly
• Disabled

Question 2

Socioeconomically disadvantaged

Answer 2

Nature and Extent of inequities:
- Higher mortality rates, lower life expectancy

Sociocultural Determinants:
- Take part in activities that promote major health complications
- No regards of hygiene and primary health facilities because of lack of communication
- Lower income grade limits access to education

Environmental Determinants:
- Homelessness, not proper living arrangements

Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
- Free healthcare
- Funding for disadvantage

Question 3

ATSI people

Answer 3

Nature and Extent of inequities:
- Higher mortality, morbidity and infant mortality, x2 higher smoking rates

Sociocultural Determinants:
- Less physical activity, unbalanced diet

Environmental Determinants:
- Remote environments less access to health facilities

Role of Communities in Addressing Inequalities:
- Health awareness promotion campaigns

Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
- Closing the GAP strategy
- “Health for Life” program for working towards primary, child and maternity health care

Question 4

Elderly

Answer 4

Nature and Extent of inequities:
- Affected by chronic illnesses, sometime more than one
- Have the highest rate of injury related hospitalisations

Sociocultural Determinants:
- Dependant on children for caregiving

Environmental Determinants:
-Reduced income, not always access to health facilities

Role of Communities in Addressing Inequalities:
- Retirement villages

Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
- Promotion strategies for healthy aging
- Funding for elderly

Question 5

Rural and Remote

Answer 5

Nature and Extent of inequities:
- Higher mortality and morbidity rates
- Poorer health status as compared to people in urban areas
- Lower life expectancy
- Higher rates of mental illness

Sociocultural Determinants:
- Higher alcohol and smoking rates

Environmental Determinants:
- Less doctors and access to healthcare technology

Role of Communities in Addressing Inequalities:
- Development of Multi Purpose Service Programs that combine different community service approaches including awareness campaigns, health checkup campaigns and free treatments

Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
- Remote healthcare facilities
- Adequate funding

Question 6

Disabled

Answer 6

Nature and Extent of inequities:
Poorer quality of health

Sociocultural Determinants:
genetically inherited
Environmental Determinants:
Restriction of services

Role of Communities in Addressing Inequalities:
awareness, social groups, access to jobs
Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
National Disability Strategy – aims to address inequity in health services among people with disabilities
Fund many community and healthcare programs that provide services to people with disabilities

Question 7

Overseas born

Answer 7

Nature and Extent of inequities:
- Longer life expectancy
- Lower death rates
- Lower hospitalisation rates
- Lower prevalence of lifestyle risk factors for disease

Sociocultural Determinants:
- Lower health literacy due to language barriers

Role of Communities in Addressing Inequalities:
- Offer english teaching services

Role of Governments in Addressing Inequalities:
- Translation services

Question 8

Groups with high levels of priority

Answer 8

• CVD
• Skin, Breast, Lung cancer
• Diabetes
• Respiratory issues
• Injury
• Mental illness

Question 9

Growing ageing population

Answer 9

Healthy ageing
Increased population living with chronic disease and disability
Demand for health services and workforce shortages
Availability of carers and volunteers.