Health - unit 3 sac 3

‘old’ public health

government actions that focused on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease, such as providing safe water, sanitation and sewage disposal, improved nutrition, improved housing conditions and better work conditions.

‘old’ public health initiatives

• improved water and sanitation

• better quality housing and fewer slums

• better quality food and nutrition

• introduction of quarantine laws

• safer working conditions

• more hygienic birthing practices

• provision of antenatal and infant welfare services

• mass immunisation programs

immunisation

the process by which a person is made immune or resistant to a specific disease, usually by the administration of a vaccine, which stimulates the body’s immune system to recognise and fight the disease if exposed in the future

public health

refers to particularly to the ways in which governments monitor, regulate and promote health status and prevent disease

health promotion

the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health

biomedical approach to health

focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness. For example a medical model practiced by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment and cure of the disease.

features of the biomedical model

• focuses on individuals who are ill

• concerned with disease, illness and disability

• relies on services provided by doctors, specialists and hospitals

• quick fix or ‘bandaid fix’ approach

• relies on technology to diagnose, treat and cure

strengths of biomedical model

• It enables many illness and conditions to be effectively treated

• extends life expectancy

• improves quality of life and HALE

• funding brings about improvements in technology and research

limitations of the biomedical model

• relies on professional health workers and technology and is therefore costly

• does not always promote good health and well-being

• not every condition can be treated

• it is not always affordable

life expectancy

the number of years of life, on average, remaining an individual at a particular age if death rates do not change

categories of diseases

• infectious and parasitic diseases

• cancers

• CVD

• respiratory diseases

• injury and poisoning

infectious diseases

includes diseases such as tuberculosis, polio, smallpox, hepatitis and STI’s such as syphilis and HIV

cardiovascular disease

includes coronary heart disease or stroke

respiratory disease

includes COVID-19, pneumonia, influenza, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

injury and poisoning

includes motor vehicle and other accidents, suicide, assault, poisoning, drowning, burns and falls, and complications from medical and surgical care

social model of health

an approach that recognises improvements in health and wellbeing can only be achieved by directing effort towards addressing the physical, sociocultural and political environments of health that have an impact on individuals and population groups

ottawa charter for health promotion

an approach to health developed by the WHO that aims to reduce inequalities in health.

five action areas of the Ottawa charter

B - build healthy public policy

C - create supportive environments

S - strengthen community action

D- develop personal skills

R - reorient health services

(bad cats smell dead rats)

build healthy public policy

relates directly to the decisions made by government and organisations regarding laws and policies that make it more difficult for people to undertake unhealthy behaviours and seek to make healthier choices the easier choices.

create supportive environments

aims to promote healthy physical and sociocultural environment for all members of the community

a supportive environment is one that promotes health and wellbeing by being safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable

strengthen community action

focus on building links between individuals and the community, and centres around the community working together to achieve a common goal

develop personal skills

education is the main aspect of this action area. education refers to gaining health-related knowledge and skills that allow people to make informed decisions that may indirectly affect health and wellbeing

reorient health services

refers to changing the health system so that it promotes health and wellbeing rather than just focusing on diagnosing and treating illness.

strengths of the social model of health

• promotes good health and wellbeing and assists in preventing diseases

• less expensive than biomedical approach

• focuses on vulnerable population groups

• responsibility for health and wellbeing is shared

limitations of the social model of health

• not every illness or condition can be prevented

• does not promote the development of technology and medical knowledge

• does not address the health and wellbeing concerns of individuals

• health promotion messages may be ignored

why are issues being targeted by health promotion

• they contribute significantly to burden of disease in Australia

• they incur substantial economic costs through health care, absenteeism, loss of productivity and social security payments

• they are associated with considerable social impacts, such as avoidable deaths and inequalities between population groups

• they all have a modifiable component and, if addressed, significant improvements can be made

principles of social justice - HEAP

human rights, access, participation, equity

human rights

relate to the freedoms and conditions that every person is entitled to, regardless of factors such as race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and sex.

access

all people having adequate access to resources and opportunities they need to thrive, including food safe water, shelter, education, employment, income and healthcare and to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, such as if and when they get married or have children or sorts of jobs they do.

participation

everyone in society has the opportunity to participate in their community and have their voices represented

equity

relates to providing more support for those who need it, to allow disadvantaged groups to achieve the same level of health and wellbeing as others in the population

evaluating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives

• actual improvements that have been made

• number of people participating in the program

• feedback from participants

• action areas of Ottawa charter that are reflected

• culturally appropriate

• needs of community been considered

• amount of funding the program has

• whether is addresses a significant issue for this group

• reflects social justice

initiatives to promote healthy eating

• australian dietary guidelines

• Australian guide to healthy eating

• ATSI guide to healthy eating

Key features of effective programs

• ease of understanding

• access

• inclusiveness

• relevance

• effectiveness

• sustainability

guideline 1

to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs

guideline 2

enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups every day

• vegetables, fruits, wholegrain foods, lean meats and dairy

guideline 3

limit food intake containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol

guideline 4

encourage, support and promote breastfeeding

guideline 5

care for your food, prepare and store it safely

strengths of Australia Dietary Guidelines

• guidelines are available for free download, meaning cost does not act as a barrier

• guidelines provide advice for individuals with different needs

• guidelines are available in an accessible format

• the number of serves and what constitutes a serve are included in the Australian dietary guidelines resource

limitations of Australian dietary guidelines

• guidelines are only available in English

• guidelines are based on the requirements of the average person

strengths of the Australian and ATSI guide to healthy eating

• translated into more than ten languages

• guides apply to people of all ages

• guide provides a visual presentation of guidelines 2 and 3

• guides are based on the latest scientific research

limitations of the Australian and ATSI guide to healthy eating

• do not make provisions for composite foods

• do not provide specific advice for people with dietary conditions

• do not provide information on serving sizes or numbers