promoting health

initiatives or actions associated with ‘old’ public health.

  • sewage systems were established

  • clean water and sanitation was provided

  • better housing and elimination of slums

  • improved working conditions

  • mass immunisation programs

  • quarantine laws

  • antenatal and infant welfare services

  • more hygienic birthing practices

  • public health campaigns

what is meant by the biomedical approach to health and its key features

→ an approach that focuses on the physical or biological aspects of health which is practised by health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disease

  • quick fix approach

  • relies on health professionals

  • focuses on ill-health

  • promotes advancements in technology (?) relies on services provided by health professionals

how advances in medical technology have contributed to improvements in health outcomes

  • the discovery of vaccines allowed for more people to be immunised, which treated and prevented the spread of infectious diseases such as diphtheria, decreasing mortality rates associated with infectious diseases

  • the discovery of antibiotics and penicillin allows for bacterial infections such as STIs to be treated, this means that less people are in pain, ensuring individuals are free from disease and promoting a well-functioning body (physical)

the strengths and limitations of the biomedical approach to health

  • strengths

    • effectively treats and cures many diseases and illnesses

    • improves medical technology and research through funding

  • limitations

    • does not promote good H&W as does not address other factors associated with ill-health

    • not all disease or conditions can be treated or cured

what is meant by the social model of health and why it was developed

→ an approach that focuses on the physical, sociocultural, and political environments impacting health with an aim for prevention

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

  • increase in lifestyle/non-communicable diseases

the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and examples of each

  • build healthy public policy: laws and policies made by government and organisations that make it more difficult to undertake unhealthy behaviours

  • create supportive environments: provide a safe environment that promotes h&w by being stimulating, satisfying, and supportive

  • strengthen community action: work with the community community working together to achieve a common goal

  • develop personal skills: gain health-related knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about health and wellbeing

  • reorient health services: shifting focus to health promotion where health professionals take on the role of educator

the strengths and limitations of the social model of health.

  • strengths

    • promotes good h&w by focusing on prevention so disease and illness never arise or reoccur

    • focuses on vulnerable population groups

  • limitations

    • health promotion messages may be ignored as the public have the responsibility to seek or follow health advice

    • not every illness or condition can be prevented (e.g. genetic)

how the biomedical approach to health and the social model of health are needed to bring about improvements in health outcomes.

how health promotion can improve population health

role ⇒ create conditions that encourage healthier lives and prevent ill-health

  • reasons certain issues are targeted:

    • contribute significantly to burden of disease in australia

    • incur substantial economic costs through the health system

    • associated with social impacts like avoidable deaths and inequalities

examples of health promotion programs in relation to the use of the Ottawa Charter action areas.

  • quitline - smoking and CVD

  • sunsmart - skin cancer - melanoma

  • goodsports - alcohol consumption

  • livelighter - overweight and obesity

examples of programs introduced to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ health and wellbeing

  • 2spirits program - sexual h&w of LGBT - reorient health services

  • deadly choices initiative - healthier choices for themselves and families - develop personal skills

  • considerations:

    • culturally appropriate - run by community member

    • action areas

    • feedback

    • significant issue that needs to be addresses

    • participants

    • funding

what is meant by social justice

→ fairness within a society and is based on HAPE

specific aspects of social justice.

  • human rights - freedoms and conditions every person is entitled to regardless of factors

  • access - resources and opportunities to thrive

  • participation - opportunity to participate and have their voice represented

  • equity - disadvantaged groups and individuals receive support and resources they need

what the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide to Healthy Eating are and how they work.

  • help evaluate

    • ease of understanding

    • access

    • inclusiveness

    • relevance

    • effectiveness

    • sustainability

ADG

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

  2. enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups everyday and drink plenty of water

  3. limit intake of foods containing saturated fats, added salt, added sugars and alcohol

  4. encourage, promote, and support breastfeeding

  5. care for your food; prepare and store it safely

  • strengths

    • free download → no cost barrier

    • available in accessible format → those with low vision

    • includes number of serves for males and females

  • limitations

    • only comes in english → language barrier

    • may be hard to follow with low literacy

    • based on average person

ATSIGHE + AGHE

  • strengths

    • comes in multiple languages → linguistically diverse

    • apply to people of all ages

    • ranges of foods from different cultures - kangaroo goanna crab meat

  • limitations

    • no advice on composite foods like pizza or casseroles

    • no specific advice for people with dietary needs

    • no serving size information

reasons why nutritional improvements are difficult to achieve in Australia using a range of sociocultural, environmental and commercial factors.

  • personal factors

    • willpower and preference

    • attitudes and beliefs

    • h&w factors

  • sociocultural

    • socioeconomic status

    • employment status

    • family and peer groups

    • commercial factors

      • supply chains

      • distribution of and affordability

      • processing

      • packaging and labelling

      • lobbying

      • marketing strategies and use of media

  • environmental

    • housing

    • workplace

    • transport

    • geographic location

what Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and private health insurance are, including who and what they cover

medicare → universal health insurance scheme that is available to all australians and permanent residents regardless of income, location, and culture

  • covers:

    • consultations

    • specialists

    • tests and examinations

  • does not cover:

    • cosmetic and physiotherapy surgeries

    • glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs

    • ambulance services

  • strengths

    • available to all australians

    • choice of doctor for out-of-hospital expenses

    • includes a medicare safety net

  • limitations

    • waiting lists for treatments

    • not over alternative therapies

    • no choice of doctor for in-hosptial-expenses

private health insurance → an insurance scheme where members pay a premium (fee) for health services not covered by medicare

  • strengths

    • private hospital care

    • choice of doctor while in hospital

    • reduces burden on medicare

  • limitations

    • costly premiums (fees)

    • policies can be complex to understand

PBS → key component of federal governements contribution to australias health system

aim ⇒ provide australians with essential medicine regardless of ability to pay

  • strengths

    • includes PBS safety net

    • medication is at subsidised rate

    • additional support for concession cards

  • limitations

    • significant burden on federal government

    • does not cover all medicines

    • still co-payment

NDIS → national insurance scheme that provides services and support for people with permanent, signficant disabilities and their families and carers

  • meet disability and residency requirements

how Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and private health insurance can promote health outcomes in Australia.

what is meant by funding, sustainability, access and equity in terms of Australia’s health system

  • funding → remain staffed and resources

  • sustainability → effectively funded and can run in future

  • access → can use health system when need it

  • equity → help disadvantaged

how the health system, including Medicare, private health insurance, the PBS and the NDIS, work to promote health in relation to funding, sustainability, access and equity.