Boroondara Public Health and Wellbeing Plan - Essay Example

Boroondara Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Name Institution Name Date Introduction The “Public Health and Wellbeing Plan” in question is for Boroondara. The Boroondara strategic plan discusses approaches and strategies to improve the health requirements in the region. It provides the population diversity and the challenges, which these populations faces. The paper reviews the strategic plan based on its influence on health care in the area and its contribution to sustainable public health and wellbeing of the population. Three of the most ‘at-risk’ Groups The following are some of the at-risk groups in Boroondara region: The Older population (elderly) – the number of older population is increasing, and the older population will represent 16.5% of the entire population of Boroondara by 2021 (Boroondara, 2013). Most of the population is living alone, and the elderly are vulnerable to numerous challenges and problems. The older population may go without essential services and goods; social isolation; and malnutrition (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). The Older population is also vulnerable to homelessness because of increase in some homeless individuals. Mental health population – the issues surrounding mental health cut across social class, gender, and age. Some of the common medical problems include dementia and depression. For example and based on 2009 statistics, 17% of the adolescents within the region reported higher levels of psychological distress (Boroondara, 2013). Drug abusers - a high percentage of the adolescent consumer high volumes of drugs, such as alcohol. Based on a 2009 survey, which was compiled by Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, it indicated that adolescents between 15-17 years had consumed alcohol (53.5% of the respondents) while 19% had consumed marijuana within a period of 30 days (Boroondara, 2013). Cultural diverse communicates – it is estimated that more than 70% of the inhabitants speak English as a second language; it is not the first language (Boroondara, 2013). Therefore, the health requirements may differ, and a requirement of cultural competence is integral to provide the community with appropriate medical requirements. Core Priority Health Areas The following are some of the key/core priority health areas, which have been identified in the Boroondara strategic plan: Social isolation – social isolation is the provision of health in a discriminative manner. Therefore, social inclusion ensures the different populations are provided health requirements without discrimination. Moreover, their diverse requirements have to be understood to ensure effective health requirements are provided. Accessibility – the health care should be accessible to the different populations (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). It can be understood through appreciating the requirements of different populations, and how the populations want to access the health requirements. Championing cultural diversity – the population of the region is diverse, and a higher percentage is people from other countries. Health requirements in such scenarios are different meaning cultural competency is integral in the provision of health (Boroondara, 2013). Hence, understanding the requirements of different populations allows formulation and implementation of measures to champion wellbeing of the identified populations. Transformative leadership – the health leadership should appreciate the changing health requirements. The leaders have to understand the environment and the world are changing in terms of health care and measures should be in place to address the emerging requirements. Core Priority and Three Determinants of Health Social inclusion defines the process in which the people contribute and participate in social requirements (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). Health component is integral to the development of the communities and society. Individuals should be included in the provision of health care and understanding their varied requirements. Stakeholders should understand the requirements of the different populations and develop strategies to address the complications or to improve the health care (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). In the perspective of social aspects, the requirements of the different population segments require different forms of health care (Skerrett & Mars, 2014). However, it is important to devise and implement strategies that acknowledge such requirements. For example, cultural diversity is important because of the high population from other regions; the high percentage is people who came from other parts of the world (Boroondara, 2013). The second aspect of the environment is creating and providing the appropriate resources including creating a sustainable environment. For example, effective access to health care is important, and the accessibility should be made easier. Most diseases may be attributed to environmental degradation, such as poor health care and climatic changes. Creating and championing a sustainable environment, enables a region to avoid certain health care problems (Viner et al., 2012). In the case of biology, populations are defined by numerous variables including age, pregnancy, gender, mental health problems, which can be associated with certain forms of diseases (Boroondara, 2013). Therefore, the elderly people should be noted have or are susceptible to certain health conditions, which require inclusion through the provision of effective health assistance (Baum et al., 2013). Boroondara Strategies on Social Inclusion Social inclusion is premised on resilient, safe and inclusive community. The Boroondara’s strategic plan aims to increase social connections and safety for individual across abilities, cultural, backgrounds, gender, ages and income (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). To achieve these requirements, Boroondara region aims to promote community harmony through supporting and recognizing the diverse communities. Boroondara aims to improve social inclusion through creation and increase of opportunities for social connection through activities, such as sport, recreation and arts (Boroondara, 2013). The strategic plans would be achieved through continuous promotion of the community safety through supporting measures resulting in prevention of violence. Hence, these numerous aims, proposals, and strategies are aimed at improving and championing social inclusion in the health care. It ensures different stakeholders and people are integrated towards the provision of effective health care requirements (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). Comparison of Downstream and Upstream to Boroondara Strategic Plans Downstream are the strategies and behavioral approaches to preventing or champion health requirements. These are behaviors of individuals to ensure the general environment prevents medical problems. Upstream is the participation in government policies and global forces in championing health requirements. Therefore, downstream ensures the individuals contributes to sustainable health while upstream requires the government and other forces to determine the effectiveness of health practices (Boroondara, 2013). The Boroondara’s strategic plan incorporates both the downstream requirements and upstream requirements. For example, the role of the government or governmental institutions is to provide resources, such as doctors and medicines, while the individuals are required to seek assistance from these institutions. The personal health and safety initiatives are aimed at preventing health problems (Boroondara, 2013). For instance, cleanliness prevents contamination diseases, such as diarrhea, and if each champions cleanliness, the problem is avoided (Comfort & McCausland, 2013). The government participation in developing programs, such as health promotions aim to ensure each understands the requirements of health, formulates and implements measures to sustain these requirements. Hence, the Boroondara approach of including both upstream and downstream strategies increases health requirements while providing effective health care requirements (Bourke et al., 2012). Conclusion Understanding the challenges, the community and society face is the first step in addressing the problem. The identification of ‘at-risk’ population provides mechanisms and avenues for developing policies and implementing the policies to address the problem. The goals and objectives should be measurable and achievable, and the end goal clearly identified. The Boroondara strategic plan is likely to be successful because it has addressed numerous components, which are important to the success of the health care provision. The inclusion of numerous variables, such as the community, society and persons vulnerable to certain health challenges ensure the appropriate strategy is developed to fulfill the requirements of the population. Hence, the Boroondara strategic plan is effective, and the plan will be successful since the implementation is important towards the success of any project and plans. References Baum, F. E., Laris, P., Fisher, M., Newman, L., & MacDougall, C. (2013). “Never mind the logic, give me the numbers”: Former Australian health ministers' perspectives on the social determinants of health. Social Science & Medicine, 87, 138-146. Boroondara. (2013). 2013-17 City of Boroondara Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. Bourke, L., Humphreys, J. S., Wakerman, J., & Taylor, J. (2012). Understanding rural and remote health: a framework for analysis in Australia. Health & Place, 18(3), 496-503. Comfort, J., & McCausland, K. (2013). Health priorities and perceived health determinants among Western Australians attending the 2011 LGBTI Perth Pride Fairday Festival. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 24(1), 20-25. Skerrett, D. M., & Mars, M. (2014). Addressing the Social Determinants of Suicidal Behaviors and Poor Mental Health in LGBTI Populations in Australia. LGBT Health, 1(3), 212-217. Viner, R. M., Ozer, E. M., Denny, S., Marmot, M., Resnick, M., Fatusi, A., & Currie, C. (2012). Adolescence and the social determinants of health. The Lancet, 379(9826), 1641-1652. Personal Reflection Understanding the requirements of public health has assisted me to appreciate the role of the government in fulfilling the requirements of the diverse population. For example, the Boroondara strategic plan illustrates the at-risk population that requires specific health provision. I have appreciated some of the strategies formulated and aimed at addressing the challenges, which diverse communities face. Health determinants, such as environment, social and biology have guided me in appreciating the contributing factors, and factors, which are important to the successful health. I will use the aspects of the environment to link certain medical conditions and challenges to specific environmental agents. Moreover, I will use the social aspects in determining the requirements of the society: how the society can support each other to advance the requirements of health. The society is important for successes in health, and the inclusion of the entire society ensures fulfillment of diverse social requirements. Hence, I will champion the requirements of public health and ensuring all populations are integrated into the systems. Read More