Youth Health

What is Medicare?

Australia's public health system.

What is public healthcare?

Healthcare funded by the government.

What is universal healthcare?

A system where everyone can access healthcare.

What is taxpayer-funded healthcare?

Healthcare that is paid for through taxes.

What is a healthcare system?

How a country provides healthcare, how it is paid for, and how people access it.

What is public healthcare?

Healthcare funded by the government through taxes using Medicare.

What is private healthcare?

Optional healthcare paid through private health insurance with different cover packages.

What is Medicare?

Australia's public healthcare system funded through taxes.

What does Medicare cover?

GP appointments, public hospital treatment, and some tests and scans.

What does Medicare not usually cover?

Dental care, ambulance services, physiotherapy, and glasses (unless applicable).

What is Medibank/private health insurance?

Private healthcare paid through insurance premiums.

What does private health insurance cover?

Private hospital treatment and can help cover services Medicare does not.

Benefits of private health insurance

Different package options, choice of doctor, and shorter waiting times.

What is bulk billing?

When a doctor sends the bill directly to Medicare so the patient pays nothing.

Do all doctors bulk bill?

No.

What is the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)?

A government scheme that helps pay for prescription medicines.

What is the purpose of the PBS?

To make prescription medicines cheaper.

Who pays for GP visits?

Medicare.

Who pays for public hospital visits?

Medicare.

Who pays for X-rays?

Usually out of pocket.

Who pays for a private hospital room for surgery?

Private health insurance (e.g. Medibank) and/or out of pocket.

Who pays for treatment of a broken bone in a public hospital?

Medicare.

What is health data?

Information measured over time using statistics and rates to identify health issues and trends.

What is the purpose of health data?

To provide objective evidence about health.

What is health data interpretation?

Finding meaning in health data by identifying patterns, trends, and implications for health.

What is life expectancy?

The average number of years a person is expected to live; an indicator of overall survival and long-term health outcomes.

What is mortality?

Death or the causes of death; an indicator of immediate and preventable health risks.

What is morbidity?

Disease, illness or injury that affects daily functioning or quality of life; the burden of disease.

What is Australia's life expectancy at birth?

Approximately 83 years.

What are the leading causes of death in Australian youth?

Injury and suicide.

What are the leading causes of disease burden in Australian youth?

Anxiety and depression.

Why can health data make youth health difficult to describe?

Young people may have high life expectancy but still experience significant health issues, especially mental health problems.

Why is life expectancy alone not enough to describe youth health?

It does not show quality of life, disease burden, or mental health issues.

When describing health trends, what should you include?

Both the explanation of the trend and quantitative evidence.

What is health status?

A measurement of how healthy an individual or population is.