Transcript Core 1 Powerpoint - Kotara High School

CORE 1
HEALTH PRIORITIES IN AUSTRALIA
CRITICAL QUESTION 1
HOW ARE PRIORITY ISSUES FOR AUSTRALIA’S HEALTH IDENTIFIED?
Measuring Health
Status
The health status of
Australians refers to the
population's patterns of
health over a given period of
time.
Measuring Health
Status Cont’d
The role of Epidemiology.
• What can epidemiology tell us?
• Who uses these measures?
• Do they measure everything about
health status?
These are the key questions you
need to be able to answer about
this section of the course
Measuring Health
Status Cont’d
Measures of Epidemiology
Mortality (death) rates
Morbidity (illness) rate
Life expectancy
Rate of hospital admissions
Research definitions of these terms
using internet and text.
Measuring Health
Status Cont’d
Current Trends
USE TABLES AND GRAPHS FROM HEALTH REPORTS TO
ANALYSE THE CURRENT TRENDS USING THE KEY
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INDICATORS
Measuring Health
Status Cont’d
Make notes on the difference
between the terms used in
epidemiology
Incidence and
Prevalence
Measuring Health
Status Cont’d
PDHPE Wiki created by Brad McAllister
Link to Hsc Online Student activity with Graphs etc.
Identifying Priority
Health Issues
Considering questions such as:
• How do we identify priority issues for
Australia’s health?
• What role does the principle of social justice
play?
• Why is it important to prioritise?
These are the key questions you need to be able
to answer about this section of the course
Identifying Priority
Health Issues
Social justice principles.
Priority population groups.
Prevalence of condition.
Potential for prevention and early intervention.
Costs to individuals and communities.
Make notes from your text about the role these
issues play in helping determine our health
priorities.
CRITICAL QUESTION 2
What are the priority issues for improving Australia’s health?
Groups Experiencing
Inequities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Socioeconomically disadvantaged people
People in rural and remote areas
Overseas-born people
The elderly
People with disabilities
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples
Australia's indigenous people remain a notable exception to
Australia's general health status. The difference is reflected
in:
•
Lower life expectancy, especially for aboriginal males.
•
Higher rates of infant mortality.
•
Increased deaths from diabetes.
•
Hazardous levels of drinking alcohol are more likely among those aboriginal people
who drink.
•
Poor living conditions in some areas of Australia with unhealthy environments
lacking basic resources such as clean water.
Socio-economically
disadvantaged people
People in this group are most likely to:
Live below the poverty line and be long-term unemployed.
Have low levels of education.
Have low levels of health education.
Find it difficult to access health care.
Not own a home or car.
Live chaotic lives due to substance abuse in some cases.
People in rural and
remote areas
People living in rural or remote areas are.
Experiencing increasing health inequities due to:
Poor access to health services.
Low income levels.
Unemployment, often because of the closure of a large company
employing a big group of local people, such as an abattoir or mine.
Occupational hazards.
Harsh environments.
Isolation.
Overseas-born people
People migrating to Australia are required to have good health before
acceptance into Australia. People seeking refugee status may be subjected to
long periods of detention before they are released into the community. Health
status after arrival may be influenced by the following inequities:
Lack of English.
Unemployment.
Cultural differences if they are not able to access health care from doctors
health centres where their own language is understood.
Depression about the country or family left behind.
Low wages, crime and exploitation.
Racism.
The elderly
Due to the high birth rate after world war 2, and for the fifteen years after that,
there was a period referred to popularly as the baby boom. The first of these
babies are now in their fifties and older people are going to make up an increasing
percentage of Australia s population. They:
Will use more health services as they age
Place a greater demand on health resources
Are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease over the age of 65 years
Are more at risk of dementia
Need more nursing home accommodation
Require home care
Seek to live healthier lifestyles as they age in order to avoid painful and
debilitating conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, depression, cardiovascular
Disease, cancers, diabetes and injuries.
People with
disabilities
Disabilities place restrictions on the ability of individuals to function normally in
society. They need help to reach their full potential.
Disabilities may be physical, sensory, intellectual psychiatric or another mental
health condition. .
Individuals need access to special health care and education and training
programs to provide employment opportunities.
Physical access is required to buildings viol ramps and reserved parking places.
Public toilets have special access for people with physical disabilities.
People with disabilities need freedom from the stereotyping that can make
life difficult.
High levels of
preventable chronic
disease, injury and
mental health problems.
Cardiovascular Disease
• Whilst the incidence of CVD has declined
since world war II, it is still the leading
cause of death in Australia during the
1980s and 90s and into 2000.
• CVD accounted for 46,134 deaths (35% of all
deaths in Australia) in 2005.
• Closely behind cancer, CVD is Australia’s
second leading cause of disease burden,
mainly because of the deaths it causes.
CVD Key Messages
CVD is a term used to describe all conditions that affect the heart and
blood vessels.
The underlying cause of CVD is atherosclerosis.
CVD continues to be one of the biggest health problems affecting
Australian’s.
CVD remains the leading cause of death for Australians, however
there is a decreasing mortality trend and morbidity trend.
CVD is highly preventable. The major modifiable risk factors are
lifestyle related such as tobacco smoking, high blood cholesterol,
insufficient physical activity and poor nutrition.
The groups at highest risk of developing CVD are Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islanders peoples, socio-economically disadvantaged
people, the elderly and those born in Australia.
CVD – The Nature of the Problem
•
•
•
•
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used to describe all health
conditions that affect the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular
system).
The definition of ‘cardiovascular diseases’ differs between
organisations. The terms cardiovascular disease, circulatory disease
and heart, stroke and vascular diseases are often used
interchangeably to convey the same meaning.
Cardiovascular disease includes:
•
coronary heart disease (CHD)
•
cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
•
peripheral vascular disease.
The main underlying causal mechanism in cardiovascular disease
(CVD) is the formation of plaque which occurs as a result of
atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a long term process where there is
a build up of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the inner lining
of the arteries. It is most serious when it leads to a reduced or
blocked blood supply to the heart (causing angina or heart attack) or
to the brain (causing a stroke). Cardiovascular disease continues to be
one of the biggest health problems requiring attention in Australia.
CVD Trends
• Leading cause of death and disability in Australia.
• Data from the 2007-08 National Health Survey indicates that
there has been a decrease in the prevalence and incidence.
• Age is a great determiner of a person's susceptibility to CVD.
• People under the age of 40 years are not significantly
affected by the disease.
•
After this, however there is a dramatic rise in the number of
CVD related deaths.
• Doubling and almost tripling in the 65-75 years age group.
• Mortality declining in males and female.
• Gender, whilst being a relevant factor, is not as telling as age.
• Males are more prone to be victims of CVD than females
although this difference is quite minimal.
CVD Risk Factors
MODIFIABLE
NON-MODIFIABLE
Tobacco smoking
Age
High Blood Pressure
Gender
High Cholesterol
Heredity
Insufficient physical activity
Overweight or Obese
Poor nutrition or Diabetes
Prolonged use of the contraceptive
pill
High intake of alcohol (increases
stroke risk)
CVD Protective Factors
Protective factors are strategies that
individuals can implement to reduce the risk
of developing chronic diseases. Some
protective factors linked to CVD are:•
•
•
•
•
to quit smoking and avoid exposure to tobacco
smoke
maintain healthy levels of blood pressure and
blood cholesterol
consumption of a healthy diet
maintenance of a healthy weight
and be physically active.
CVD Sociocultural,
Socioeconomic and
Environmental Determinants
AGE
We have already determined that the
older a person is the more likely they
are to be a candidate for CVD. Other
factors that also lead to a greater
susceptibility include socioeconomic
status, education, physical inactivity,
dietary intake and stress.
Socioeconomic Status.
People in lower socioeconomic levels
have less access to health care, less
education in preventative measures and
less freedom to involve themselves in
active recreational pursuits. There is a
higher incidence of cigarette smoking
in lower socioeconomic groups.
Education.
The symptoms of CVD generally take
many years to develop. Most of the
damage is done as we are growing up
through personal health practices such
as poor diet and lack of physical activity.
It becomes important that from an early
age we are educated in lifestyle
decisions which will prevent CVD. This
education process needs to be ongoing.
Physical inactivity
As technology creates more labour saving
devices, the population becomes more
physically inactive. Whilst trends and fads
occur in relation to exercise, there is less
necessity for the greater proportion of
people to be active in everyday pursuits such
as self- propelled lawn mowers, moving
walkways and electric tools. Physical
inactivity is affected by our work practices.
Increased travelling time and longer work
hours in sedentary jobs create less leisure and
recreation time.
Dietary intake.
Our diet has changed considerably
over the years. Nowadays, fewer meals
are prepared at home and take-away
foods are seen as a convenient way to
save time. Many of these take away
foods are high in fat and low in
nutrients.
Stress.
While stress is reversible in the short term,
long term stress can lead to hypertension.
Individuals who are continually exposed to
stress are more susceptible to stroke and
heart attack.
Cancer - Key Messages
Cancer refers to a large group of diseases characterised by uncontrolled growth
and spread of abnormal body cells.
The most common cancers in Australian females are breast cancer, melanoma of
the skin, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. For males the most common cancers
are prostate, colorectal, melanoma of the skin, and lung cancer.
Cancer is the second most common cause of morbidity and mortality. There has
been a decreasing mortality trend despite the overall cancer incidence rate
remaining virtually unchanged.
The major risk factors for cancer are specific to each type of cancer. Family
history, smoking and exposure to UV rays play a large role in developing cancer.
Low socioeconomic status is a large determinant to the development of most
forms of cancer as well as environmental factors.
The groups at risk for cancers are specific to each type of cancer.
Cancer
Complete
HSC online Cancer Activities
Cancer – Nature of the Problem
Cancer is a disease of the body's cells. Normally, cells
grow and reproduce in an orderly manner.
Sometimes, though, abnormal cells will grow and be
defective. These abnormal cells may then reproduce,
sometimes at a very rapid rate, and spread
(metastasise ) uncontrolled throughout the body.
Cancer is the term used to describe about 100
different diseases including malignant tumours,
leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma. (Year Book Australia, 2008. 2008. ABS.)
Cancer - Nature cont’d
Tumour – These are swellings or enlargement caused
by a clump of abnormal cells.
Benign Tumours - They can form and remain localised
with no threat of spreading. These can usually be
treated surgically.
Malignant Tumour - If the tumour has the potential
to spread uncontrolled throughout the surrounding
normal cells and affect their functioning.
Metastasise – When these malignant cancer cells can
often break off and enter the blood stream and
lymphatic system and travel to other parts of the
body, where they can cause new cancers to grow
Cancer - Trends
Morbidity
New cancer cases in 2003, prostate cancer was the most common
cancer followed by colorectal cancer, breast cancer, melanoma of the
skin and lung cancer. Together they accounted for 60% of all
registerable new cancer cases in that year.
Overall cancers occur at higher rates in males than females, with an
overall male-to female ratio of 1.4, that is, the male rate is 1.4 times the
female rate .The most common cancer in females in 2005 was breast
cancer, which made up over 27% of all diagnoses, followed by
melanoma of the skin and lung cancer. For males the third most
common cancer in 2005 was melanoma of the skin, followed by lung
cancer.
(Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2008. 2008. AIHW)
The current situation is that, by the age of 75 years, 1 in 3 Australian
males and 1 in 4 females will have been diagnosed with cancer at some
stage of their life. The risk by age 85 years increases to 1 in 2 for males
and 1 in 3 for females (Australia’s health 2008. 2008. AIHW
Cancer - Trends
Mortality
Cancer is a major cause of death, accounting for 30% of all
deaths in 2005. Since the 1990s, cancer has replaced
cardiovascular disease as the greatest cause of years of life
lost (YLL), or fatal burden. However, over the last decade,
improvements in early detection and treatment have
resulted in improved survival and a clear decline in
mortality for most cancers, despite the overall cancer
incidence rate remaining virtually unchanged.
Among males in 2003, the cancers most responsible for
fatal burden were lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and
prostate cancer. Among females the cancers with the
highest fatal burden were breast cancer, lung cancer, and
colorectal cancer.
(Australia’s health 2008. 2008. AIHW)
CANCER
RISK
FACTORS
BREAST CANCER
LUNG CANCER
SKIN CANCER
NON
MODIFIABLE
gender – a small
percentage of males do
suffer from breast
cancer
family history
personal history
early onset of
menstruation
late menopause
gender
age
family history
fair skin – freckles; skin that
burns easily; skin that doesn’t
tan easily
fair or red hair and blue eyes
the number and types of
moles on the skin
have a personal or family
history of melanoma
are older
have had a previous nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
MODIFIABLE
obesity
high fat diet
late maternal age (over
40years) at time of first
full-term pregnancy or
childlessness
smoking – smokers are
up to 20 times more likely
to develop lung cancer
exposure to
carcinogenic chemicals,
for example asbestos and
lead.
air pollution
exposure to the sun’s
ultraviolet rays (UVR)–
especially as a child or
adolescent
have repeated exposure to
UVR over their lifetime,
including solariums
have episodes of severe
sunburn
geographic location in a high
sunlight longitude
The factors that protect an individual against the most common types of cancer include the following.
Breast Cancer
consumption of a diet high in fruits and vegetables, and low in fat
practising self-examination
regular mammograms if over the age of 50 years
familiarity with family history
Lung Cancer
avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
avoid exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos
Skin Cancer
avoid sunlight
reduce exposure to the sun by wearing a hat, sunscreen, protective clothing and sunglasses
monitoring skin changes and having regular check ups
Cancer – Groups at Risk
women who have never given
birth
Breast Cancer
obese women
women aged over 50 years
women who have a direct
relative with breast cancer
women who start
menstruating at a young age
women who have late
menopause
cigarette
smokers
people
exposed to
occupational or
environmental
hazards (e.g.
asbestos)
people
working in
blue-collar
occupations
men and
women aged
over 50 years
Lung
Cancer
Skin
Cancer
people with fair skin
people in lower latitudes
people in outdoor
occupations
people who spend too much
time in the sun without
protection such as hats and
sunscreen.
children and adolescents
Cancer - The sociocultural, socioeconomic
and environmental determinants
Cultural background is a factor in cancer rates, as seen by,
high rates of lung cancer amongst Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples. In the demographic mix, cancer
incidence and mortality is highest in the 65 years and over
age group, so the prospect of an aging population is cause
for concern for future cancer trends. Prevailing values and
attitudes also have an effect, particularly, in regards to
modifiable risk factor behaviours.
Education, employment status and occupation, and income
and wealth are reflected in cancer data, which shows that
people from socioeconomically disadvantaged
backgrounds have notably higher rates of some cancers.
Environment can often play a large role in the risk of
developing cancer. This includes workplace influences,
climate and UV exposure as well as exposure to tobacco
smoke
Injury
Nature of the problem
Road injury.
Suicides.
Other injuries from fires, falls, machinery,
drowning, poisoning and homicide.
Spinal cord injury.
Firearms injuries.
Injuries to children.
Injury Cont’d.
Trends
•
The death rate from injury has declined from the 1950’s to present. This trend is in
step with death rates generally. However, over the past decade the deaths due to
injury remained static whereas all-causes death rates continued to decline 1-2%
annually.
•
Deaths due to injuries for indigenous Australians and for those who live in rural and
remote areas are higher than those for the general population.
•
Injuries are the leading cause of death for persons aged under 45 years.
•
43% of all deaths for people aged 45 years or younger are attributed to injuries.
•
For almost all the categories of injuries, males account for more deaths than females.
•
For males, injury death rates in large rural centres are 22% higher than in capital cities
and injury death rates in remote centres are 69% higher than in capital cities.
Injury Cont’d.
Groups at risk
• Young adult males rate higher for mortality
from injury.
People in rural areas.
Children.
Indigenous Australians.
Injury Cont’d.
Mental Health
Nature of the problem
•
Mental disorders impact on the ability to function in society.
•
They include anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse disorders.
•
Schizophrenic disorders.
•
Eating disorders.
•
Dementia.
•
Self-harm and suicide.
Mental Health cont’d
Trends.
• Depression is of growing concern in Australia.
• National mental health strategy.
• Increased data monitoring development.
Mental Health cont’d
Risk factors and social determinants
• Post-traumatic stress disorders.
• Unemployment.
• Alcohol dependence.
• Drug use.
• Various social factors.
Hereditary factors.
Indigenous people have been affected by their history
since Colonization.
Mental Health cont’d
Groups at risk
Young adults aged 18 - 24 years.
Females are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety
disorders.
Males are more likely to have symptoms of substance
use disorders.
Diabetes
Nature of the problem
•
Diabetes is a disorder of the body's levels of insulin.
•
Type I Diabetes is insulin dependent and people need injections of
insulin and to follow a careful diet. Without treatment it is fatal.
•
Type 11 Diabetes is non-insulin dependent and may remain undiagnosed
for years. It is often referred to as mature-onset diabetes.
•
Gestational diabetes can occur in pregnancy.
•
Serious long-term effects include the risk of blindness, kidney
problems, amputations of the lower limbs, heart attack, stroke and
impotence.
Diabetes cont’d
Trends
Risk; Increases with age (type 11).
It is preventable by attention to healthy lifestyle
practices (type 11).
Life expectancy is reduced.
Australia has a high incidence of diabetes in the
population.
Diabetes cont’d
Risk factors
• Overweight (Type 11).
High blood pressure (Type 11).
Hereditary factors (Type 1).
Diabetes cont’d
Groups at risk.
• Family history (type I - starts mostly in childhood or
early adulthood.
Pregnant women.
Indigenous Australians have one of the highest rates
of type 1I diabetes in the world.
A growing and ageing population
Key Messages
Australia’s population is growing and ageing. The ageing population
is the consequence of sustained low fertility levels and increasing life
expectancy at birth.
With our ageing population, comes a number of health challenges to
our community. An increase in people living with chronic diseases
and disabilities, places a higher demand for health services and
workforce shortages as well as the financial strain to provide these
services.
Government priority is to encourage healthy ageing so as to enable
people to contribute for as long as possible and to reduce the
burden on our health care system.
It is projected that there will be little growth in the number of
available carers, compared with the anticipated rise in demand for
home-based support. This is likely to result in a shortage of carers in
the future.
Chart 1.6: Proportion of the Australian population in different age groups
Ageing of the Australian population will contribute
to substantial pressure on government spending over
the next 40 years. Around two-thirds of the
projected increase in spending to 2049–50 is
expected to be on health, reflecting pressures from
ageing, along with increasing demand for health
services and funding of new technologies. Growth
in spending on age-related pensions and aged care
also is significant, reflecting population ageing.
Benefits of Healthy Ageing
The prevention of disease and functional decline
Extended longevity and enhanced quality of life
The healthier an individual, the less economic and medical burden
that person places on governments and the health care system.
fewer healthcare needs
less chronic disease and disability
less pressure placed on the national health budget and health care
system
individuals who are less likely to leave the workforce for health
reasons
individuals who are more likely to enjoy retirement
individuals who are able to contribute more to their own care.
Barriers to Health ageing
There are a number of factors influencing healthy
ageing including
income,
adequate and safe housing,
a physical environment that facilitates independence
and mobility,
and personal health behaviours.
Some risk factors have a cumulative effect over the
life course and risk behaviours in middle age can lead
to poorer health in late life.
Increased population living with chronic disease
and disability
The ageing population and greater longevity of
individuals are leading to growing numbers of
people, especially at older ages, with a disability and
severe or profound core activity limitation.
Coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease
are the two leading causes of death and the major
causes of disability among older Australians. The top
ten causes of disease burden in Australia are chronic
diseases. The prevalence of chronic disease increases
with age. In 2004-5, more than 90% of coronary heart
disease and osteoporosis, and over 80% of diabetes
and arthritis, were reported for people aged 45 years
and over.
Demand for health services and workforce
shortages
The Australian health system is complex, with many
types of service providers and a variety of funding and
regulatory mechanisms. Those who provide services
include a range of medical practitioners, other health
professionals, hospitals, clinics, and other government
and non-government agencies.
Older people are much higher users of hospitals than
their younger counterparts. As age increases, so does
the average length of stay. On discharge from the
hospital, older people are more likely than younger
people to enter residential aged care or die. This is
particularly the case for injury-related hospitalisations.
Availability of carers and volunteers
A carer is any person who provides assistance in a formal paid role or
informal unpaid role to a person because of that person’s age, illness or
disability.
The provision of unpaid care by family members is an important
complement to formal services.
Carers may be needed to assist with tasks of daily living, such as feeding,
bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring or administering medications. On
other circumstances, there may only be the need for assistance with
transport, financial or emotional support.
Older people living in households most commonly reported needing
assistance with property maintenance and health care because of disability
or age.
Service providers that offer aged care in the community and through aged
care homes include a mix of private and religious or charitable
organisations, as well as state, territory and local government. The
Australian Government has the major role in funding residential aged care
services and aged care packages in the community. The bulk of home and
community based services for older people are provided under the Home
and Community care (HACC) program. The program includes home nursing
services, delivered meals, home help and home maintenance services,
transport and shopping assistance, allied health services, home and centre
based respite care, and advice and assistance of various kinds.
CRITICAL QUESTION 3
What role do health care facilities and services play in
achieving better health for all Australians?
The Role Of Health Care
Health care has traditionally centred around the curing of
diseases, illnesses and injury and has focused strongly on
treating the individual. we now find a partnership
developing between public health initiatives and medical
care. Now different levels of government work in
collaboration with the private sector in an attempt to
provide the best possible health care.
We now have a combination of preventative strategies and
clinical medical treatment.
Range and Types of Services
Types of health care facilities and services can be divided into two categories:-
1. Institutional - Public and Private hospitals, Psychiatric hospitals, Nursing homes etc.
2. Non - Institutional - such as doctors, specialists, pharmacists, dentists, ambulance,
physiotherapy etc.
Trends indicate a move towards more preventative health services and increasing expenditure
on Health Promotion. However most expenditure and resources still go towards treatment.
Use of Health Services
The range and accessibility of health services in Australia is equivalent to the best in the
world.
There are approximately 700 public and 300 private hospitals in Australia
Admission rate were up in the 70’s down in the 80’s and up again inthe 90’s
The average length of stay has dropped from 7 days in 1980 to 4 days in the
1990’s
Increases have occurred in same day surgery and early discharge programs
There has been a shift away from placing mentally ill patients in institutions
and many are now integrated or in community care facilities.
Medical services provided by doctors are the most commonly used health
service
Women tend to visit the doctor more often than men
There has been a big increase among our older population in the use of
dentists
The most common reasons for people consulting other health professionals
are eye disorders, injuries and back pain.
Responsibilty for Health Care
The Commonwealth Government provides funds to support the states but
provides very few services itself.
State Governments have the major responsibility for the provision of the
services and the regulation of private health care providers.
NSW State Health is divided into regional Area Health services and the
Rural Health Directorate.
Local government provide a range of community health facilities such as
baby and child care services , immunization programs and other family
services.
The Private sector provides services through GP’s etc.
Access To Health Care
Medicare was designed to make it equitable for all Australians to
access medical treatment and systems such as the Medicare Safety
Net and The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme are also in place to
encouage equity.
People most likely to have their access affected include:People from low socio economic background because some
services not fully covered by medicare are still too
expensive.
People on waiting lists for elective surgery. Can be due to
large numbers using the public system
People in rural and remote areas - in particular indigenous
Australians
Health Care Expenditure Versus Expenditure on
Early Intervention and Prevention
Most of our health funding is spent on diseases that are
preventable.
The Health Advancement Division of the Commonwealth
Department of Health Housing and Community Services is
responsible for health promotion at the National level.
In 1990-91 they spent $276.76 million dollars on health promotion.
This represents approx. 1% of total health expenditure for that year.
In 1988 it is believed the economy saved $7000 million because of
health improvements due to prevention strategies.
Health Expenditure
This is the amount of money spent on running the health care system.
(providing and using health services0
Statistics allow us to look at:the total amount spent on health at a given point in time
changes in the amount spent over time
what services will need money spent on them in the future
where the money comes from for the provision of health services
how a country’s health services compare with other countries
The Cost of Health Care to Consumers
This is immense.
It is relatively simple to estimate and calculate
costs of pharmaceuticals, hospitalisation, medical
treatment, loss of income, insurance etc. there
are many other social factors which are far more
difficult to calculate. (e.g. Pain and suffering, the
grief and loss, mental disorders, loss of
productivity, long term disabilities etc.)
The funds for health services came from :Commonwealth Government ..................................... 43 percent
Sate Territory and Local Government ....................... 27 percent
The private sector ........................................................ 30 Percent
The total cost of health care has increased each
year since 1970-71 and the proportion contributed
by each sector of Government has remained
fairly constant.
The following estimates of the annual costs of some
of our preventable health issues give you some
idea of the burden accepted by taxpayers:motor vehicle accidents .................... $5000 million
poor nutrition ................................... $1937 million
cardiovascular disease ...............…... $2000 million
tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse …... $14390 million
sports injury ..................................... $1000 million
Health Insurance
Most countries have some form of health insurance to reduce the cost to individuals of being sick
or injured.
In Australia our Public Health Insurance Scheme is called Medicare.
It is paid for from the taxes collected by the Commonwealth Government in the form of a
Medicare Levy, which is 1.4% of your taxable income.
Medicare pays 85% of a set scheduled fee for most services provided by a doctor.
Medicare pays 75% of a set scheduled fee for public hospitals.
The remainder called the gap is funded by the patient.
Some people choose to take out Private Health Insurance to cover things that are not covered by
Medicare.
Private Health Insurance allows for:Choice of your own doctor in hospital
Choice of hospital in which you are treated
access to private rooms in public hospitals (depending on
level of cover)
ancillary benefits such as dental, chiropractic,
physiotherapy, optical etc.
ambulance cover
Since Medicare was introduced the number of people
taking out Private Insurance has declined and there has
been an increasing trend for people to withdraw from
Private Health Insurance.
Some of the Private funds include HCF, NIB, MBF,
Medibank Private etc.
The Governement has recently introduced incentives to
get people back into Private Health Insurance and take
some of the stress off Medicare. These incentives have
been in the form of either tax rebates or reduction in
premiums for people iwth Private Health Insurance.
COMPLIMENTARY AND
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE
APPROACHES
Can you explain the reasons for growth of alternative
medicines and health care approach?
Are you aware of the range of services available?
What advice would you give on how to make
informed consumer choices?
CRITICAL QUESTION 4
What actions are needed to address Australia’s health
priorities?
OTTAWA CHARTER
argue the benefits of health promotion based on:
individuals, communities and governments working in
partnership
the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter
investigate the principles of social justice and the
responsibilities of individuals, communities and
governments under the action areas of the Ottawa
Charter
OTTAWA CHARTER
Health promotion based on the five action
areas of the Ottawa Charter
levels of responsibility for health promotion
the benefits of partnerships in health
promotion, eg government sector, nongovernment agencies and the local
community
how health promotion based on the Ottawa
Charter promotes social justice
the Ottawa Charter in action
DEVELOPING
PERSONAL SKILLS
Gaining access to information and support
Modifying behaviour
CREATING SUPPORTIVE
ENVIRONMENTS
Identifying sociocultural, physical, political and
economic influences on health.
Identifying personal support networks and
community services.
STRENGTHENING
COMMUNITY ACTION
Empowering communities to take action
REORIENTING HEALTH
SERVICES
Identifying the range of services available
Gaining access to services
BUILDING HEALTHY
PUBLIC POLICY
Identifying the impact of policy on health
Influencing policy
Deciding how to spend the money
APPLYING THE OTTAWA
CHARTER
critically analyse the importance of the five action
areas of the Ottawa Charter through a study of TWO
health promotion initiatives related to Australia’s
health priorities