PDHPE Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australia

Mortality rate

This is also called death rate, and is a measure of the number of deaths from a specific cause in a given period of time (usually a year).

Infant mortality rate

This is a measure of the annual number of deaths of children under 1 year of age per 1000 live births.

Life expectancy

This is the average number of years a person of a given age and gender can expect to live.

Morbidity rate

This rate provides information about the level of disease in specific populations. The main indicators used are prevalence and incidence.

Epidemiology

branch of medical science concerned with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases that affect large numbers of people

Determinants

are the range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors that determine the health status of individuals and populations.

Prevalence

the number of cases of disease that exists in a defined population at a point in time.

Incidence

the number of new cases of disease occurring in a defined population over a period of time.

Inequality

the unequal distribution of illness or conditions throughout the population.

Inequity

is injustice in regard to social, economic and cultural factors.

Disability

is defined in terms of the lack of ability to perform everyday functions or activities. It refers to limitations in functional abilities.

Social Justice

is a value that favours the reduction or elimination of inequity, the promotion of inclusiveness of diversity, and the establishment of environments that are supportive of all people.

Equity

fair allocation of resources and entitlements without discrimination

Access

the availability of health services, information and education

Participation

the empowerment of individuals and communities to be involved in planning and decision making for good health

Rights

equitable opportunities for all individuals to achieve good health.

Direct Costs

the money spent on diagnosing, treating and caring for the sick, plus the money spent on prevention. These costs can be estimated from the expenses of medical services, hospital admissions, pharmaceutical prescriptions, prevention initiatives, research, screening and education, for example.

Indirect Costs

the value of the output lost when people become too ill to work or die prematurely (for example, the cost of forgone earnings, absenteeism and the retraining of replacement workers).

Atherosclerosis

the build-up of fatty and/or fibrous material on the interior walls of arteries.

Cholesterol

fatty substance contained in all animal cells.

Hypertension

high blood pressure

Cancer

large group of diseases that are characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Carcinogens

cancer-causing agents such as chemicals, pollutants, radiation, cigarette smoke and alcohol.

Pap smear

screening procedure to detect early signs of cancer of the cervix.

Suicide

is an intended selfinflicted injury that is fatal.

Diabetes mellitus

a condition affecting the body's ability to take glucose from the bloodstream to use it for energy.

Insulin

a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose toenter the body cells and be used for energy.

Arthritis

a number of conditions that affect the joints of the body. It is part of a larger group of musculoskeletal conditions.

Osteoarthritis

a condition of the musculoskeletal system in which the cartilage in the joint degenerates.

Osteoporosis

a type of musculoskeletal condition in which there is deterioration in the bone structure. The bones become thin and weak, leading to an increased risk of bone fracture.

Socioeconomic Status

a measure of a person's education level, occupational prestige and level of income

Public Health

a combination of science, medicine, practical skills and beliefs aimed at maintaining and improving the health of all people.

New Public Health

a model that recognises the dual role of lifestyle and living conditions as determinants of health status. It involves establishing programs, policies and services that create environments that support health.

Health Promotion

activities that are aimed at enabling people to increase control over their health, to improve their level of health and prevent illness.

Empowerment

an individual's ability to make decisions about, or have personal control over, their life.

Health Expenditure

the allocation of funding and other economic resources for the provision and consumption of health services.

Medicare

Australia's universal system of health care to provide services that are accessible to all Australians.

Aromatherapy

the use of pure essential oils to seek to influence or modify the mind, body or spirit

Creating Supportive Environments

focuses on the places people live, work and play and on increasing people's ability, within these, to make health promoting choices

Developing Personal Skills

developing skills to maintain good health and change poor health behaviors through life skills, education and information

Strengthening Community Action

Identifying how communities can improve the health of their members by agreeing on community action, priorities, making decisions, planning actions and implementing them for better communities.

Reorienting Health Services

expand the focus of health services from cure to prevention

Building Healthy Public Policy

relates to decisions made at all levels of govt and organisations toward health improvements - identifying impact of policies, influencing policy and deciding where to spend the money