4. Health issues for
Australia’s youth
Youth health issues in Australia
• Many factors influence the health and
individual human development of youth
• Generally, the health of Australia’s youth is
good and continues to improve
• As a class, brainstorm the term “health
issues” – can you agree on a meaning of the
term?
Some youth health issues
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Mental health
Asthma
Diabetes
Injury
Weight
Tobacco smoking
Alcohol use
• Illicit substance use
• Sun damage
• Sexual and reproductive
health
• Food allergies
• Homelessness
• Cyber-safety
Youth health issues
• Can you think of any other youth health issues
that impact on young Australians?
Mental health
• Mental health (according to WHO): “a state of
wellbeing in which the individual realises his or
her own abilities, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to
the community”
Mental illness
• Mental illness (according to the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare): “a general
term that refers to a group of disorders that
affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts”
Communicable diseases
• Also known as infectious diseases
• Caused by specific infectious agents – bacteria
and viruses
• Can be passed on by humans, animals, the
environment, food or parasites
• Brainstorm some examples of communicable
diseases that affect Australia’s youth
Chronic diseases
• A disease that is long lasting and persistent
• Chronic diseases can be communicable or
non-communicable
• Impact on young people can be profound:
growth, development, mental health, body
image and self-esteem
• Brainstorm some examples of chronic diseases
that affect Australia’s youth
Asthma
• Asthma is a common chronic disease facing young
people
• Asthma can be effectively managed with the use of
medication to prevent or relieve attacks
• Asthma can affect quality of life and is a major casue
of school absenteeism, child emergency department
attendance and hospital admissions
• Asthma can restrict the social, physical and
emotional lives of those with the condition
Diabetes
• Diabetes is a chronic illness that has no known
cure but can be well managed
• Type 1 diabetes – the body is unable to make
its own insulin. Can affect people of any age,
but is more often diagnosed before the age of
30
• Type 2 diabetes – the body has reduced levels
of insulin or insulin resistance.
Injury
• A key health issue facing youth
• The leading cause of death and the third
leading cause of hospitalisations among 15-24
year olds
• Most injuries are accidental
• Injuries are usually preventable if the right
safety precautions are taken
Weight
• Weight issues include being underweight,
overweight or obese
• Weight issues in youth can affect self-esteem
and increases the risk of chronic disease
Drug use: Tobacco, alcohol and
illicit substances
• Youth is a stage of the lifespan where
experimentation with drugs often occurs –
sometimes causing lifelong health problems
• Risk factors include: family problems, other
drug users in peer group, behavioural and
emotional issues, low self-esteem
• Why is experimentation with drugs more
common during the youth stage of life?
Sun damage
• UV radiation from the sun causes sun damage
• Long term exposure can lead to skin cancer
• Even mild sun burn or tanning can increase
risks of melanoma later in life
• Sun damage is an issue for all Australians but
much of the risk of melanoma comes from
excessive exposure early in life
Sexual and reproductive health
• As young adults, people tend to become
sexually active and can be at risk of STIs or
pregnancy
• Access to healthcare and education are critical
to help avoid unsafe behaviour
Food allergies
• A true food allergy occurs when the body’s
immune system is provoked to produce
antibodies to specific proteins in food
• Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction
• A food intolerance is a chemical reaction
experienced when eating or drinking some
foods and results in a more minor reaction
Homelessness
• Homelessness among young people is caused
by a wide variety of factors:
– Domestic violence
– Difficult family relationships
– Mental illness
– Drug use
– Poverty
– Can you think of any other factors?
Cyber-safety
• A relatively new health issue facing Australian
youth
• Cyber-safety concerns the wellbeing of young
people as they use the Internet
• Social media and web 2.0 present particular
risks to young people
• What are some of the potential dangers facing
young people using the Internet?