Public Health and Health Promotion Initiatives in Australia - Case Study Example

Public health and Health promotion initiatives Name Professor Course Date Public health and Health promotion initiatives Introduction Health promotion initiatives play a key role in prevention of disease, injuries, and other health problem. Public health refers to promotion of good health and the production of avoiding disease within people, communities, and the entire globe. On the other hand, health promotion is the process of enable ling people to increase control over determinant of their health. Health promotion does not just focus on individual behavior but involve social, political, economic, and environmental properties that support good health. Health promotion and illness prevention programs can have a population wide focus such as national road safety regulation or can target a particular group such as youth or elderly people. Moreover, a health promotional program can provide early intervention treatment for individuals. It is also important to note that a health promotion programs can be undertaken by government, major health bodies such as would health organization or national cancer committee (Chang, 2007). Health promotional program yield benefits such as save the cost of treating a health issue and reduce disease burden to individuals, family and communities. This paper highlights two of the health promotion initiative in Australia and one oversee initiative. In particular, the paper highlights, one, the life program- an initiative aimed at prevention of type 2 diabetes among high risk people in the state of Victoria. Two, clockwork youth health service- an initiative aimed at reducing case of suicide and other health issues such as drug abuse, sexual and physical abuse among youths in Australia. In addition, three, let us move initiative aimed at reducing the cases of obesity among American children. Initiative one The “life” program in the state of Victoria Diabetes in Australia is the fastest growing chronic disease. It is estimated that around 1.7 million Australians currently live with diabetes. Further, it is estimated that around 275 Australians develops diabetes every day. Type 2 diabetes represents a vast majority of these cases in Australia. It is estimated that more than two million Australian have abnormal glucose metabolism and thus are higher risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes is a serious condition and the potential complications include stroke and heart disease kidney failure and erectile dysfunction. Danson (2005) notes that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle interventions It is therefore very important to mitigate the rise in new case of diabetes. “The life program” is an initiative for prevention of type 2 diabetes among high-risk people in the state Victoria. The program was launched after the national reform aged in 2007. Victoria government with diabetes Australia as the lead agency and fund controller funds the life program. The program has seen a state implementation of evidence based life style behavior change intervention to reduce the risk of progression of type 2 diabetes for higher risk people (Danson 2005). The life program is a health promotion strategy because enable people to gain control of the determinant of their health through lifestyle intervention. The program facilitates the prevention of a health issues (type 2 diabetes) through encouraging individual to live a healthy lifestyle- maintain the right body weight, engage in physical activity on daily basis, avoid unhealthy food such as saturated fats and to instead take more vegetables and fruits. As a result, the life program has helped to prevent 37% cases from developing into type 2 diabetes. The life program comprise of three interventions. They include group-based intervention, telephone health couching and aboriginal and Torres Strait island program. The main intervention of the program is group-based intervention otherwise known as the life course. The life course is an intensive community based lifestyles behavior change that is developed from an evidence based finish prevention program and the grater green triangle prevention program (GGT DPP). Centering on health psychology theories, the life course focuses on behavior change including the self-regulation theory and health action -approach. In addition, the program is centered on the use of the SMART goals. The life program participants are encouraged to work toward adopting a health diets and active lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The interventions employed by the life courses are structured to include six group (with 6-15 members) session of about 2hrs duration. The first five sessions are conducted fortnight, and then the sixth section is held six month after the five sessions. To reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes the program assist the participant to achieve the following: at least 5% weight reduction, at least 30 minute of moderate physical activities per day, at least 15g/1000kcal fiber and not more than 30% energy from fat and 10% from saturated fat. Danson (2005), reports that, so far the program has largely been successful, some of the program’s achievement include; 1. created a prevention system for high risk of type 2 diabetes people in Victoria 2. Trained and certified over 700-health professional through training program and follow-ups. 3. Accredited diabetes prevention courses provider’s institutions and contracted over 137 public and private health providers to be in business of prevention and to provide prevention process. 4. Has established risk lines, which has received numerous call from people seeking to know their risk and participate in prevention course 5. Conducted successful social marketing and communication initiatives to help people understand the seriousness of type two diabetes 6. Generated over 26000 referrals and assigned about 20,000 people to prevention course. Initiative two Clockwork youth health service The initiative was launched in 1995 following the observation that young people were not using health service while the level of youth suicide, substance abuse, and homelessness were constantly increasing. It was observed that although general practitioners (GP) who offers about 80% of health consultation in Australia and who are generally posses adequate with skills to mange sexual health, substance abuse and family problem youth health issues were on the rise. Despite GP being in a position to change the worsening youth statics such as suicide, alcohol abuse, they could not due to barriers, which prevented them from being involved in adolescence health. Clockwise initiative plays a role in promoting strategies that improve youth access to education integration, health promotion and research in general practice. The aims of the clock initiative are to reduce substance abuse and deaths by suicide across all age in Australia. In addition, the programs aimed at reducing the suicidal thinking and behavior injuries and self-harm that result as well as enhance mental health in young people families and communities. The program also aimed at increasing support to individuals and families who have been affected by suicides. Clockwise initiative is a health promotional initiative because, as with health promotion initiatives, aimed at enabling youth control issues such as depressions are associated with other health issue such as suicide, or abuse of substance. That it targets the particular population- Australian youth with an aim of improving their health. Furthermore, the program relied on community health official and GP for its implementation. Chang, (2007), observed that young people have problem in accessing the services of GPs due to fears of confidentiality, cost, and judgmental altitude. On the side of the general practitioners, they hand problem such as funding, and skill that are some specialized skills necessary to solve youth issues, when trying to help the disadvantaged young people. One of the main roles of clockwork was to support the general practitioner to work with other players to assist the young Australian. Some of the services that clockwork initiative offers to youth include clockwork provide a drop-in youth health service involving the general practitioner, community health nurse, and psychologist. The service aims at providing a safe secure, relaxed, and confidential environment at all times. The service provide a longer consultation time for youth of three to four times in a week. This service aims at providing a broad focus of health and mental issues. The initiative target young people who are homeless, living independently or at risk of leaving school. These categories face major problem including depression, physical, sexual emotional abuse, and suicidal ideation. Group sections for younger people on self-esteem and ager management are also provided to help prevent them from developing mental complication or being part of juvenile justice system. The clockwork also refers young people to GP who have been identified as youth friendly and who offer bulk billing for health consultation (Booth , 2006). The clock program also offers the following additional services. Preparation of health promotional materials such as posters that is suitable for GP waiting room. The program also provide a school program for year 9 with a major focus on genera practice in the community, and a community forums for parents and teachers on adolescence depression for large audience and involving GP as speakers. To this end, clockwork has had positive outcomes on lives of many young Australians. Clockwork has made significance improvement of physical, psychological, and social health of young people who have attended their services. In additional, the program has enhanced the GP skill in handling the adolescence issues. Moreover, their service is also valued as a resource for workers dealing with young people in the community. Data from national health report that there has been a general reduction in the number of youth committing suicide in Australia since 1999. Initiative three Let us move initiative Let us move is health promotional initiative dedicated to reducing obesity among American children. The program was launched on February 2010 by the first lady US’s Michelle Obama. The initiative is a long-term program, aimed at reducing obesity within generation so that the children born today will grow up healthier and be able to peruse their dreams. Let’s moves encourage healthier diet to children in and ought of school, and increased physical activity among children (Dunstan ,2013). The initiative call for the entire US community to be involved in promoting healthier lifestyles which include taking healthier food, and getting involved in physical activities. The program is a health promotional program because it enables people to control factors that limit their health. For instance, providing parent with information necessary to prevent a obesity, it empower them to make informed decision pertaining their children health. In addition the program relay on health facilities and institution such as school for its implementation. Let’s move initiative is about putting American children on the path to health future by giving their parents and other care givers relevant information and fostering environment that encourage health choices. The initiative focuses on the following pillars: Creating a healthy start for children, empowering parents and other caregivers, providing health food in school, improving asses to health services and affordable food, and increasing the physical activity (Dunstan , 2013). The government, parents, other caregivers, nongovernmental organization, private sector, and kids themselves have a role to play to reduce child obesity in US. Since it was launched, the program has had numerous achievements. For instance, families now have access to information needed to make healthier choices for children. Many school have transformed into healthier environment, they now provide nutritious meal, and increase opportunity for children to participate in physical activities. In addition, the business are shifting to support the increased demand for healthier products, American have access to cheap affordable food,. Furthermore, more people have come to support the let us move initiative since it launch. For instance in December 2010 US president signed a “hunger free” act into law, this legislation will help the American school offer healthier meal to over ten million American children. In addition, in 2013 Walmalt lowered the cost of healthy food such as vegetables, fruits, and whole gain product to encourage their consumptions. Conclusion Evaluation of the past initiative indicates that progress can be acquired in preventing health issues and thus improving people’s life. The three initiative discussed above has brought health benefits to the individual, families and the nation. It is however important to note that, for health benefit to be realized all the involved parties have to play their roles. Works Cited Booth M, O, (2006) Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey. The Medical Journal of Australia. vol. 23, No. 8, pp 300- 413. Chang, J, T (2007), Australia’s health 2006, Australian Institute of Health, vol. 3, No. 4, pp 194-300 Danson G,(2005), Promoting healthy weight: the prevention and management of overweight and obesity in Australia. The Medical Journal of Australia. vol. 20, No. 7, pp 233-278 Dunstan D (2013), International Diabetes Institute. The Medical Journal of Australia. vol. 10, No. 3, pp 94-200. Read More