Chronic Diseases in Australia - Assignment Example

Running Head: Chronic Diseases in Australia Chronic Diseases in Australia (Your Name) (Your School) March 18, 2011 Assignment 1: Part One: Health Promotion Realization of a healthy society has been hampered by Poor dietary habits coupled with a myriad of other dietary misconceptions. There have been rises in mortality rates as a result of controllable diseases daily occurrence. For example, obesity, a controllable disease, negatively impacts on the productivity of individuals,’ notably the younger generation. Obesity is a medical condition that arises as a result of high consumption of fatty foods with minimal physical exercises (Gumbiner, 2001, p.1). Proliferation of controllable ailments is attributed to lack of information and change in lifestyles in the general public. For instance, instead of consumption of balanced diets comprising of carbohydrates’, proteins and vitamins, individuals are turning to only one proportion of the diet such as starch thus resulting in diseases like obesity. In realization of a healthy society, health promotions are essential. Such examples of health promotions are the application of Labonte’s three Models of Health Promotion. The application of health promotions provides a fertile ground for the germination of a healthy community. Labonte’s three Models of Health Promotion: Behavioral model Labonte’s three models of health promotion is a systematic approach used to counter the various preventable health complications. It emphasizes on three promotional models namely biomedical model, behavioral model and socio-environmental model (Green and Tones, 2010, 171). Of the three models, I chose behavioral model. According to Green and Tones (2010) behavioral model encompasses the application of health education and communication to augment personal health. This is the dominant health promotion model that ensures that the public change their dietary behavior to arrive at a conclusive health goal. Behavioral model aims at ensuring that the public observes diet to avoid unnecessary chronic diseases. For example, it incorporates guidance and counseling on poor dietary habits among the public and also conduct seminars or workshops to advocate proper health methods. It creates public awareness on the dangers of smoking, high stress levels and consumption of foods with high fat content. This promotion model is useful in behavioral change. For example, individuals can shun smoking and turn to superior dietary habits to cushion themselves against diseases such as liver cancer among others (175). Diet management remains a personal responsibility that requires each and every individual to incorporate the necessary ingredients for a healthy life. It is also advantageous for people to persistently engage in exercises for body fitness as this ensures all round fitness for the body. Part two: Tackling Chronic Diseases The terminology chronic diseases refer to a number of diseases that take considerable amount of time in an individuals’ body. They are mostly incurable but can be managed through medication. Such diseases include heart-related ailments, stroke, cancer, asthma, diabetes among others. Moreover, they are among the lead killer diseases in the world (World Health Organization, n.d). Chronic Diseases in Australia According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2006) chronic diseases have immensely contributed to increase in mortality rates in the country. Furthermore, in 2004-2005 statistics indicate that over 77 percent of the Australian populations were nursing long term medical conditions, especially asthma. In light of this huge patient figure, contributions worth approximately 70 percent of the total health expenditure were channeled towards the containment of chronic diseases in the country. Additionally, percentage increase in chronic diseases cases had prompted various health sector stakeholders to introduce health promotion programmes. Health promotion (Fleming and Parker 2010, p.8) is the actualization of any activity that promotes the health of an individual. It involves the use of social and environmental health techniques propagating a hale and hearty open guiding principle. For example, health campaigns cautioning publics against overconsumption of sugar in efforts to reduce diabetic-related cases. To contain the alarming trends in proliferation of the diseases, the Australian government rolled out a National Health Strategy aimed at reducing the ever increasing patient numbers in health facilities. The strategy incorporated a behavioral model of health promotion. A behavioral model involves the use of health messages to caution publics against alcohol or any other substance abuse. In this regard, the Australian government partnered with various regional tobacco coordinators and other stakeholders in an effort to curtail smoking among the Australian population. For example, the tobacco action workforce was obligated to implement anti smoking social marketing campaigns. The campaigns assumed a behavioral approach of solving contemporary medical conditions. This is because tobacco smoking may lead to chronic diseases. Applications of health promotions include exoneration or reduction of smoking advertisements; assimilation of health warning labels and minimization of pack sizes among others (Tones and Tilford, 2001). To take in success, the program sought to integrate role models and ambassadors’ who renounced smoking in an effort to help them have a discussion with smokers on the problems associated with the habit. In essence, the national health program was designed to reduce mortality rates resulting from chronic diseases. The application of this strategy was geared towards the increment of life expectancy rates in Australia. “It has been estimated that if all tobacco-related complications deaths among indigenous Australians could be eliminated, then life expectancy would increase by 2.5 years for males and 1.7 years for females” (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 1997). Assignment # 2: Analysis of Australia: the healthiest Country by 2020 National Preventative Health strategy Chapter One Analysis: Building preventive health in Australian communities Chapter one of Australia: the healthiest Country by 2020 National Preventative Health Strategy chronicles the vision, purpose and effective application of the National Preventive Health strategy geared towards reduction of chronic diseases and realization of a healthy Australian country by the year 2020. Chronic diseases had adversely affected the social and economic situations in Australian owing to huge financial allocations to curb its proliferation. The National Preventative Health Taskforce Report, from a socio-environmental health promotion perspective The national preventive health taskforce appointed by the Minister of Health and Ageing in April 2008 embarked on a prevention mechanism primarily focusing on obesity, tobacco and alcohol. It came up with a mechanism that identified three precedence areas. First, the strategy endeavored to reduce growing cases of obese Australians as a result of lifestyle metamorphism. Additionally, the strategy aspired to scale down smoking and also address health and social implications occasioned by risky consumption of alcohol (Tones and Green 2004). The chapter coherently underpins prevention as the only mitigation method for chronic diseases. It calls for a multi-sectoral approach to the fight against persistent ailments. I quote “It is clear that a prevention agenda requires cross-sectoral, multilevel interventions that extend beyond the health sector into sectors such as housing, welfare, justice, immigration, employment, agriculture, education, family and community services” (National Preventive Health Strategy, 2009). The taskforce leveled out obesity, tobacco and alcohol as the preventable risk factors that aggravate chronic diseases. Statistics indicate that in a span of one and a half decade [1990-2005], a quarter of the Australian children were obese representing a 5 percent increase in comparison to the 1960s. This was attributed to dietary misconceptions and change. For example, many children consumed more of fatty foods than nutritious foods. Refusal to effectively deal with the health complications, the chapter illustrates, will not only injure the economy but also the healthcare systems and society in general. Moreover, the section provides in-depth statistical facts on diabetes. It further prospects that continuous prevalence of diabetes could increase healthcare overheads from $1.3 billion to $8 billion by 2032. Arguably, approximately 2.9 million Australians smoke daily and early mortality will take course if the behavior is not regulated or ceased. Behavior change propagated through health promotions positively lead to a healthy society. For example, adaptation of walking to work, as a physical exercise strategy, instead of using automobiles helps in reduction of obesity-related complications. Besides, the chapter highlights that rising criminal activities in the Australian country are to blame on heavy consumption of alcohol. As a matter of fact, alcohol-related issues are known to constitute 62 percent of all cases reported to the police (National Preventive Health Strategy, 2009, p.16). For instance, many drunkards result to mugging and robbery activities in efforts to get money to quench their alcoholic thirst. In light of this, insecurity is born therefore derailing development. Insecurity is among the biggest threats to business success. Therefore to curtail such behaviors, initiatives such as rehabilitation positively contribute to a country’s development. In addition alcohol consumers depressingly affect the smooth running of their workplaces, resulting to inefficiency. For example, many drunkards compromise service delivery due to the fact that they can’t carry out their laid out duties effectively. In essence, drunkards might compromise productivity though various ways such as soliciting for bribes to carry out free-services to their clients. In ensuring work input productivity, the taskforce proposed the application of motivational tips, for instance, promotions for those whose work was beyond rebuttal. This was seen as a mechanism that would reduce alcohol consumption while at the workplace thus boosting competence. In this regard, further considerations and actions were proposed by the taskforce. They spelled out mitigating factors to limit further disease increment. In a concept known as ‘Close the Gap’, the team labored to reduce the gap between the rich and poor that were causative agents to smoking. The taskforce further proposed early intervention mechanisms. For instance, poor nutrition, cigarette smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy were singled out to cause health complications later in life. To contain such situations in future, the taskforce cogged towards the provision of adequate health information about adverse effect caused by smoking. By so doing, they would reduce mortality rates in the population. However, apart from obesity, diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption, there are other trends that impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians namely; ageing of the population, increasing levels of disability, climate change and environmental sustainability among others. Essentially, ageing of the population hinders labor force. For example, as chronic diseases affect the younger generation leading to death rates, labor force is therefore impinged on the older members of the society who are unable to execute the responsibilities previously held by the younger cohort of individuals. Moreover, chronic diseases arguably incapacitate many individuals resulting in increased numbers of disabled persons. This poses a challenge not only in the healthcare facilities and places of work but also to the community in general. For example, when a ten year old child leg is amputated for diabetic reasons, he/she remains a burden to the society and family because he/she can perhaps not execute any duty without help. Besides, such actions hinder actualization of his/her academic and life ambitions. He/she is incapable of attending school, thus leading to an illiterate life. However, the strategy aims at dealing with such in eventualities early enough through enhancement of public awareness campaigns, to educate them on the adversaries of such behaviors. As a result of this, the strategy aims at enhancing preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of the reappearance of other diseases. In addressing this issue, the strategy recognizes two preventive mechanisms namely; primary prevention and secondary prevention. Primary prevention condenses the potentiality of resurgence of a health complication. It encompasses vaccination, early detection among others. On the other hand, secondary prevention barges in and thwarts the progression of a disease. For example, drugs prescription. Prevention reduces the personal, family or societal burden resulting from diseases. For example, control of HIV/AIDS through provision of Anti-retroviral drugs reduces the financial burden occasioned by inpatient services in hospitals. Moreover, prevention augments a healthy and productive workforce. Chapter Two Analysis: Obesity in Australia: A need for urgent action Obesity (Gumbiner, 2001) is a medical terminology used to connote the excessive existence of body fat in living organisms, especially human beings. The Chapter delves into the various approaches to be undertaken to avert the increasing cases of obesity among the Australian public. For example, in a span of a decade (1995-2005) the number of obese Australians had skyrocketed from 5.4 million to 7.4 million, a 2 million projection illustrating that if the rising trend continues, approximately two thirds of the population will be obese within a short timeframe.(National Preventive Health Strategy, 2009. Statistics by the National Preventive Health Strategy (2009) further indicate that the medical condition adversely affects the younger generation with 60 percent of those over 18 years of age being overweight. Economic hardships and marginalization of individuals has been outline to be among the causative agent for obesity. For example, individuals from poor settings are unable to observe balanced dietary habits heavily relying on starch and fatty foods thus resort to obesity. Moreover, obesity has been associated with etiology of many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Besides, change in lifestyles had contributed to the proliferation of the medical condition. Leading of busy lives had isolated most of the public to recreation activities such as sports or other physical exercises. For example, the use of cars to access workplaces regardless of the distance and sitting for long hours had alienated the publics from simple physical activities such as walking. In light of this, obesity has had significant impacts both on the social and economic perspectives. For example, obesity-related complications cost the Australian government $58.2 billion in the year 2008. This was deeply attributed to low work productivity in workplaces. “Obese employees tend to be absent from work due to illness significantly more often than non-obese workers” (National Preventive Health Strategy, 2009, 97). Driven by need to curtail the rising cases of obesity, the Australian administration has injected considerable financial assistance to social marketing. Social marketing assumes a behavioral approach to health promotion as propagated by Labonte (Fleming and Parker, 2007). To realize a healthy society, the strategy aims at enhancing positive individual developments through behavior change. For example, advocating physical activities such as exercising daily and also observing nutrition. Overdependence on cars for transport has negatively impacted on the health of individuals. In light of this, environmental metamorphosis could positively enhance reduction of obesity-related cases. The provision of secure infrastructure would absolutely change lifestyles and encourage physical activities. For example, well lit and pedestrian- friendly roads encourages individuals to walk to and from work thus engaging in physical exercises. Moreover, it endeavors to reduce availability for detrimental food products and subsequently amplify the accessibility of healthier food products. For example, ensuring that starchy and fatty foods are minimized in the supply chain and advocating for healthier ones instead. Reduction in obesity-related cases is effected through the censorship of advertisement of energy-dense products and nutrient-crippled foods at the expense of balanced diet. This ensures that amplification of poor dietary behavior is avoided. Critique: National Health Preventive Strategy Although the national health strategy aims at changing the lifestyles of Australians it does not put into consideration the positive roles individual choices add to the public sphere. Critics (Berg, 2009) argue that the strategy mostly based it conclusions on assumptions. For example, they recommended that reduction in advertizing of non-healthy foods and its place replaced by healthier foods would positively aid in the establishing a healthy society. However, they assumed consumers were a passive lot who had no information on what they wanted and that advertizing influenced their demands, a major misconception (7). Furthermore, the strategy assumes a 100 percent government commitment to the realization of the country’s health vision. However, the government is an obstacle to the realization of a healthy society. For instance, it imposes huge taxes upon the citizenry rendering other basic commodities unaffordable to ordinary members of the society. Primarily, the strategy focused more on prevention as a mechanism for eradication of chronic diseases. However, for comparative analysis, it should have also outlined the various mechanisms to apply to deal with the already existing cases of alcohol and obesity related illnesses. For instance, it should have come up with the mitigating policies to solve the current state of health affairs in the country. Conclusion The strategy forms a positive, landmark progress with well articulated goals and objectives that are attainable. For example, the actions in the strategy highlighted in the policy guideline comprise of encouraging approaches to substance abuse that foster a win-win situation between the parties. The realization of an alcohol free generation in Australia does not entirely depend on the government or policy makers but on the individual responsibility. In light of this, people can conscientiously manage their drinking patterns. For example, alcohol consumption should be viewed not like a basic necessity but a luxury. By so doing, individuals, mostly married ones, will adequately accomplish their marital responsibilities in the family thus fostering development. However, the government’s commitment in achieving a healthy Australian community by the year 2020 should be a driving force in the enacted and strict adherence to the laid out legal laws. Finally, the citizenry cooperation with the government on alcohol and substance abuse will positively revive the country’s dream of a healthy nation by 2020. References Australian Government Department of Nursing and Ageing. (1997). Report highlights smoking as an area for renewed effort among aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people. Retrieved on March 18, 2011, from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-archive-mediarel-1997-mw2497.htm Berg, C. (2009). Submission to the Preventative Health Taskforce’s Discussion Paper “Australia: the healthiest country by 2020” retrieved on March 21, 2011, from http://www.ipa.org.au/library/publication/1231202003_document_berg_national_preventative_health_taskforce_submission_jan_2009.pdf Corcoran, N. (2007). Communicating health: strategies for health promotion. London: SAGE Fleming, M, L. & Parker, E. (2007) Health Promotions: principles and practice in the Australian context, (3rd Ed), Crows West: Allen & Unwin. Green, J, and Tones, K. (2010). Health Promotion: Planning and Strategies, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Gumbiner, B. (2001). Obesity, New York: Versa Press National Preventive Health Strategy. (2009). Australia: the healthiest country by 2020. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia Nutbeam, D. (2006). “Health literacy as a public health goal: a challenge for contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st Century”. Health Education and Behavior, 3(15): 259-267 Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/3/259.full.pdf+html?sid=d8473dd2-1c9d-4db5-b273-7278ff4f2ba2 Tones, K and Green, J. (2010). Health promotion: planning and strategies, (6th Ed), London: SAGE Tones, K. & Tilford, S. (2001). Health promotion: effectiveness, efficiency and equity, (3rd Ed), Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. Wise, M and Signal, L. (2000). “Health promotion development in Australia and New Zealand.” Health Promotion International, 15: 237-248. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/3/237.full.pdf+html?sid=710591bc-f782-4c6c-be29-096e7622ca8b World Health Organization (n.d). Chronic diseases. Retrieved on March 18, 2011, from http://www.who.int/topics/chronic_diseases/en/ Read More