Health Priorities in Australia - Core 1 (PDHPE) Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australia. Used to study epidemiology, health determinants, health systems, and Ottawa Charter frameworks.

Epidemiology

The study of patterns and causes of health and disease in populations and the application of these studies to improve health.

Life expectancy

Average number of years a person of a given gender is expected to live.

Morbidity rate

The level of disease, injury or illness in a population.

Prevalence

The number of existing cases of a disease or condition in a population at a given time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease or condition in a population over a period of time.

Mortality rate

The number of deaths in a population in a given time.

Infant mortality rate

The number of deaths of infants under 1 year per 1,000 live births. infant mortality is decreasing attributed to: improved medical diagnoses and public sanitation, better health education, support services for parents

priority health issues

• social justice principles

• priority pop groups

• prevalence of the conditon

• potential fro prevention and early intervention

• costs to the individual and community

Equity (social justice principle)

Resources allocated fairly to give equal opportunity and access to health.

Diversity (social justice principle)

Recognition that populations differ in culture, language, and health needs.

Supportive Environments (social justice principle)

Environments that enable and encourage healthy choices.

Priority population groups

Groups experiencing greater health inequities who are prioritized for action.

Burden of disease

The overall impact of disease, including increased demand for services and social costs.

Prevention

Actions that stop a disease from occurring.

Intervention

Actions taken to interrupt or slow the progression of an existing disease.

Determinants of health

Factors that influence health outcomes, categorized as sociocultural, socioeconomic, and environmental.

Sociocultural determinants

Cultural and social factors that affect health (e.g., beliefs, norms, language).

Socioeconomic determinants

Economic and social conditions impacting health (e.g., income, education, employment).

Environmental determinants

Physical surroundings influencing health (e.g., housing, pollution, access to services).

Modifiable risk factors

Risk factors that can be changed through behavior or environment (e.g., smoking, diet, exercise).

Non-modifiable risk factors

Risk factors that cannot be changed (e.g., age, hereditary).

Protective factors

Behaviors or conditions that reduce disease risk.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including CHD, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.CVD is often related to lifestyle choices, modifiable risk factors, and can lead to serious health complications. arises from atherosclerosis- a process where there’s plaque build up in the arteries

Atherosclerosis

Plaque buildup inside arteries that narrows or blocks blood flow.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)/Ischemic heart disease

Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries reducing blood flow to the heart.

Angina

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Heart attack

Blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle, causing tissue damage.

Peripheral vascular disease

Disease of blood vessels outside the heart and brain, often in the limbs.

Stroke

Interruption of blood supply to the brain due to arterial blockage or rupture.

ATSI Peoples (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)

Indigenous Australians who experience distinct health disparities and priorities.

Close the Gap

A national initiative to reduce health inequities between ATSI peoples and the general population.

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

A framework outlining five action areas to promote health: Developing Personal Skills, Creating Supportive Environments, Strengthening Community Action, Reorienting Health Services, Building Healthy Public Policy.

Developing Personal Skills

Providing information and education to empower individuals to make healthy choices.

Creating Supportive Environments

Ensuring environments support health through policy and design.

Strengthening Community Action

Empowering communities to take collective action for health.

Reorienting Health Services

Shifting health services toward prevention and health promotion.

Building Healthy Public Policy

Policy development that promotes health and equity (e.g., legislation, taxation).

Intersectoral approach

Collaboration across government, NGOs, communities, and individuals to improve health outcomes.

Medicare

Australia’s universal public health insurance covering many services in public hospitals; funded by taxation.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Subsidy program that makes medicines more affordable for Australians.

Private vs Public Hospitals

Public hospitals are funded through Medicare; private hospitals involve private insurance and may offer shorter waits and more choice.

Carers

People who provide informal, unpaid care to others who need help.

Volunteers

Individuals who provide unpaid assistance to support health initiatives and services.

Healthy ageing

A process of maintaining health and well-being as the population ages, reducing chronic disease burden.

Demand for health services

Growing need on health systems due to aging populations and chronic diseases.

Breast Cancer Mobile Screening Van (case study)

An intersectoral health promotion initiative demonstrating collaboration across government, community, and individuals to reduce mortality.

ATSI Nature & Extent (health disparities)

Indicators showing lower life expectancy and higher burden of disease among ATSI peoples compared with the general population.

Close the Gap Principles

Strategies focusing on equity, partnerships, and culturally appropriate health services.