HSC Core 1:
Health Priorities in Australia
S
Priority Areas for improving
health
• There are national health priority areas for Australia
• They contribute significantly to the burden of illness in the
community.
• We can identify the risk factors and determinants, and
modify behaviours to reduce the prevalence of these illnesses
or conditions.
Cardiovascular
Disease
• One of the leading
causes of sickness and
death (36% of deaths in
2004).
• Males more likely then
females to die from
CVD.
• Can modify risk factors
to reduce risk of CVD.
Nature of CVD
Extent of CVD
Extent of CVD
Risk Factors
Modifiable
Risk Factors
Groups at risk
SES groups
Males
Tobacco
Smokers
Family History
Ageing
Population
Hypertension
Sufferers
Poor
nutrition
Nature of Cancer
• Refers to a
diverse group of
diseases with a
common featureuncontrollable
growth and
spread of
abnormal body
cells.
Extent of Cancer
Extent of Cancer
Extent of Cancer
Extent of Cancer
Extent of Cancer
Risk Factors
Lung Cancer:
- Smoking
- Occupation
- Air Pollution
•
Groups at risk: Lung Cancer
‘Blue Collar’
occupations
Occupational
hazards
(environment)
Cigarette
Smokers
Over the age
of 50
Risk Factors
•
-
Breast Cancer:
Family History
Poor Diet
Obesity
Groups at risk: Breast Cancer
Family
History
Women who
have never
given birth
Women over
50
Obese
Women
Risk Factors
•
-
Skin Cancer:
Fair skin that burns
To much sun exposure
Number and types of moles
Groups at Risk
People who
don’t use
protection
People in
low
latitudes
People with
outdoor
occupation
People with
fair skin
Injury
•
•
•
It affects all age groups
Places high burden on
economic, social and
physical aspects on both
individual and the
community.
It is preventable and is a
major cause to Australia’s
mortality and morbidity
rates.
Extent of Injury
Extent of Injury
Extent of Injury
Risk Factors
Social groups
Social and
psychological
problems
Overload
Competing
objective
Complacency
of impunity
Lack of
judgement
Mental Health
•
•
Previously peoples level of
health and wellbeing was
underestimated
Its not until recently that the
stigma of mental health has
been removed which has
allowed for improvement in
these areas.
Extent of Mental Health
Extent of Mental Health
Extent of Mental Health
Risk Factors: Suicide
Social isolation
Depression
Marginalisation
of some groups
Mental Illness
Physical illness
Groups at risk: Suicide
Young gay
or lesbian
people
People with
depression
Previous
suicide
attempts
Elderly
Alcoholics
Diabetes
• A conditional affecting
the body’s ability to
take glucose from the
bloodstream to use it
for energy. We need this
to perform everyday
activities.
Extent of Diabetes
Extent of Diabetes
Risk Factors: Type 2 Diabetes
Family
History
45 years
old with
HBP
45 years
old and
over
45 years
old and
overweight
Groups at risk
S Being over 35 and being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander.
S Being over 35 and having a Pacific island, Indian or Chinese
cultured background.
Asthma
•
•
Is a chronic disease of the
respiratory systems.
It affects a person’s ability to
carry air in and out of the
lungs. The walls of the
airways become narrow,
making it hard to breath
Extent of Asthma
Extent of Asthma
Risk Factors
Colds and Flu
Risk Factors
Tobacco Smoke
Risk Factors
Inhaled allergens such
as pollens, animal
hair, dust mites
Risk Factors
Air Pollution
Risk Factors
Food preservatives
Risk Factors
Exercise
Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal
conditions
•
•
Refers to a number of
conditions that affect the
joints of the body.
It affects a large number of
Australians
Extent of Arthritis
Risk Factors
Repetitive
use of a
joint
Age
Obesity
Gender