hms core 1

KIQ1 - How healthy are Australians?

Health Status

Groups experiencing Inequalities in Health (ATSI and SDP)

Health Status of Australia against other OECD countries

Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer & Injury in Australia  

Ageing Population in Australia

Health Status of Australians (Leading cause of Disease & Inequities)

Leading Cause of Disease:

• Males: Coronary heart disease, Back pain, Suicide & Self inflicted injuries

• Females: Dementia, Anxiety disorders, Back pain

Inequities

• Males are more likely to die prematurely → trend consistent over the past 100 years

• Females have higher life expectancy than males, but experience higher rates of poor mental health

• Key preventable risk factors: tobacco use, obesity, illicit drug use, poor diet

Groups experiencing Inequalities in Health (ATSI) - Determinants, Causes, Improvement

Determinants

• 35% of the health gap (between Aboriginals and Australians) is explained by social determinants (non-medical conditions, like income, education, demographics)

• 30% explained by health behaviours

Causes

• Impact of colonisation

• Intergenerational Trauma

• Healthcare System Barriers

Improvement

• Healthcare access = expand affordable or free healthcare

• Education & Employment Support = provide free training or jobs

Groups experiencing Inequalities in Health (SDP) - Determinants, Causes, Improvement

Determinants

• Geographic Location = low income, limited education, poor housing

Causes

• Lower education → Reduced health literacy

• Unstable employment or unemployment → Financial stress

• Lack of access to healthy food → poor diet, sedentary lifestyle

Improvement

• Healthcare access = expand affordable or free healthcare

• Education & Employment Support = provide free training or jobs

Health Status of Australia against other OECD countries (Data and why?)

International organisation that develops policies addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges.

• 1st for equity and healthcare outcomes; 3rd overall healthcare performance

• 50% of people aged 25–64 have a tertiary qualification, above the OECD average.

• However, Australia ranks in the bottom third for equitable access to quality education.

Why might this be the case?

• Medicare ensures access to essential health services for all Australians

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) = paid by the government

Cardiovascular Disease (Data & Risk Factors)

Data

• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading single cause of death.

• CHD death rates ↓ over 80% (1980–2022) for both men and women leading to increased life expectancy

• Increases with age.

• Higher in males than in females.

Risk Factors

• Family history, sex, advancing age

• Smoking, high cholesterol, obesity

Cancer Disease (Data & Risk Factors)

• Leading cause of death

• Total number of cancer deaths is increasing each year.

• Age-standardised mortality rate is decreasing (overall risk of dying is lower) due to early detection

• Higher death rates in males than females

• Cancer is the only major cause of death increasing in incidence for both males and females.

  • Main reason for increase: aging population, better detection, new diagnostic technology and screening programs (mammograms)

Risk Factors:

• Diet, physical activity, sun protection

• Age, gender, family history

Injury Disease (Data & Risk Factors)

• Stable overall, slight increase (~0.7% per year)

• Leading cause of death for ages 1–44

Risk Factors

• Risk-taking (especially young males)

• Self-harm (notably females 15–24)

• Unsafe use of tools/machines

• Falls (major one, especially elderly)

Ageing Population in Australia (Data, Opportunities & Challenges, Gov & NGO Considerations to Future Needs)

Australia's population aged 65 and over is steadily increasing

Opportunities:

• Contribution to workforce

• Provide Intergenerational learning

Challenges:

• Increased healthcare demand

Strategies

Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021–2031 (NSW Government)

• Enhance public spaces, transport & housing for independent living

• Promote social participation & respect for older adults

Government: 

• Healthcare infrastructure

NGO:

• Advocacy & Awareness

Healthy Ageing

The process of developing and maintaining the functioning ability that enables wellbeing in older people

• Meet their basic needs

• Learn, grow, and make decisions

• Be mobile

Strategies

Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021–2031 (NSW Government)

• Enhance public spaces, transport & housing for independent living

• Promote social participation & respect for older adults

KIQ2: How does Australia’s healthcare system work towards achieving better health for all Australians?

Effectiveness of Healthcare System

Government & Non-government Organisations

Person-Centered Healthcare

Health Expenditure and Its Impact on Current & Future Populations

Complementary Healthcare

Critical Health Consumer

Current & Emerging Challenges to Healthcare System

Effectiveness of Healthcare System (Role, Equity of Access to Healthcare System, Future Opportunites for ATSI, Rural, Disabled)

Role of the Healthcare System

Healthcare services are essential for achieving better health outcomes in Australia.

Equity of Access to the Healthcare System

• Factors Affecting Access: 

  • SES, Knowledge, Location, Cultural beliefs

• System Level Barriers: 

  • Shortage of qualified staff

  • Lack of funding or medical equipment

  • Long waiting times in outpatient clinics

• Role of Medicare:

  • Most Australians have access to basic healthcare through Medicare (national health insurance system).

• Knowledge:

  • Influenced by a person’s understanding of health information and services, eg low education or language barriers

Future Opportunities for the Healthcare System

• Rural = telehealth

• ATSI = partnership to design effective programs, eg Closing the Gap

• Disabled = targeted & specialised services

Government Organisations

Federal Government

State and Territory Governments

Local Government

Federal Government, State and Territory Governments, Local Government

Federal Government

Responsible for national health policy development and funding the healthcare system through taxation. 

State and Territory Governments

Have the main responsibility for delivering healthcare services and community health programs.

Local Government

Responsibilities vary, but focus on environmental health and preventative services.

Non-Government Organisations

Private Sector

•  Provides a wide range of healthcare services, including: 

  • Private hospitals, Dentists, Alternative health services (e.g., chiropractors)

Not-for-Profit

•   Address specific local health needs, but some operate on a national scale.

  • Provides informati on & education, support services, advocacy & awareness

Person-Centered Healthcare

Healthcare approach where the patient is placed at the centre of decisions and care

• Consider the person’s individual needs, preferences, values, culture, and circumstances when providing treatment.

Health Expenditure and Its Impact on Current & Future Populations

Allocation of funding and resources for health services.

Healthcare expenditure is steadily increasing.

• Largely due to a focus on curative medicine (treatment) rather than prevention
  
  

Complementary Healthcare and its Data

Complementary healthcare approaches are healing practices outside conventional (Western) medicine.

• Around 70% of Australians use complementary medicines.

• Contributes approximately $5.2 billion to the economy.

Products & Services:

• Acupuncture

• Massage Therapy

• Meditation