Youth health and wellbeing

Health inequalities

Differences in health status amongst groups

Key health issues requiring health actions in youth

• Alcohol use

• smoking/vaping

• Drugs: Weed, cocaine, MDMA

• Mental health: Depression, anxiety

What are the rick and protective factors of these key health issue?

Risk factors:

• Peer pressure

• Exposure

• Low Parental supervision

Protective factors:

• Family support

• Friends -> supportive

• Education

Direct costs

Direct costs are those associated with preventing the disease or condition and providing health services to people experiencing it.

Direct costs to the individual

Those paid for the ill person or their family

Examples oof direct costs to the individual

• Fees for ambulance transport.

• Doctor and specialist fees not covered by medicare.

• Surgery or  hospital fees not covered by private health insurance.

• Pharmaceuticals.

Direct costs to the community

The costs associated with implementing health promotion strategies and diagnosing and treating the condition, but which are paid for by the community

Examples of direct costs to the community

• doctor and specialist fees

• the costs associated with the operation of public and private hospitals, such as wages for administration employees

• the costs associated with implementing health promotion programs.

Indirect costs

Not directly related to the diagnosis or treatment of the disease but occur as a result of the person having the disease. 

Examples of indirect costs to the individual

• loss of income if a young person can’t participate in part-time work

• days lost from school or university attendance, affecting academic progress.

Examples of indirect costs to the community

• loss of a member of a sporting club

• costs to the TAC to support a young person with a road transport injury.

Intangible costs

Costs on which it is difficult to place a monetary value. They often involve emotions or feelings.

Example of a intangible costs to the individual

The individual may be concerned about the impact and outcome of their condition, leading to loss of self-esteem if they are unable to complete activities they could in the past, such as working in a part-time job or volunteering for a local charity.

Example of a intangible costs to the community

include loss of participation in social activities and emotional impacts on family, friends, work colleagues and associates within the community during the treatment of an individual who is unwell. Other people may also experience the emotional impact of grief in the case of the death of an individual.

Risk factors

something that increases the likelihood of developing disease or injury

Protective factors

something that enhances the likelihood of a positive health and wellbeing outcome and lessens the likelihood of negative health and wellbeing outcomes from exposure to risk.

Healthcare services

Prevention, early intervention, assessment, treatment, health maintenance and continuing care services designed to improve or maintain the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities

Primary healthcare

Healthcare that people seek first in their community. It includes diagnosis and treatment of health conditions and long-term care, as well as health promotion and prevention services.

Social justice

Means fairness in society, and also promotes equity for all

Community and gov for health

Their aim is to promote social justice through empowerment, reliable information and  education and awareness.

Advocacy

Promoting the interests or cause of an individual or a group of people

Ways youth can advocate for issues

• Digital advocacy - online awareness using technology

• Self advocacy - speaking up for yourself

• Community advocacy - influencing the public 

• Lobbying - influencing gov or org to enact change

GP (general practitioner)

A medical doctor who provides primary healthcare services