Analysis of Health Currently Affecting the Australian Population - Essay Example

Running head: Cardiovascular diseases in Australia Analysis of Health Currently Affecting the Australian Population (school) Analysis of Health Currently Affecting the Australian Population Introduction There are various diseases currently affecting the Australian population. Most of these diseases are those which commonly afflict individuals, including flu, cough, and similar minor ailments. However, there are also other diseases like coronary heart disease and diabetes which had an impact on the population. These ailments mostly have a negative impact on the people’s health, and if untreated, they pose fatal threats to the people’s lives. First, cardiovascular diseases are heart conditions which commonly affect the heart and blood vessels surrounding it. It includes coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, and an ischemic heart (WHO, 2011). It includes various conditions of the heart and blood vessels; the common issue in relation to heart disease being atherosclerosis where plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries reducing blood supply to the heart, causing heart attacks, and sometimes to the brain, eventually leading to stroke (National Heart and Medical Research Council, 2011). This paper shall provide an analysis of the health issue, then discuss and analyse the health issue in relation to the population/community it usually affects, the scope of the health issue as well as its implications for the affected population/community, the social determinants of health which affect the health problem. It shall also provide an analysis and evaluation of relevant current primary health care services and initiatives which are in place to address this issue, including its strengths and limitations. Finally, a proposal on additional services needed to address this issue shall also be established. Body Analysis of the health issue There are various population groups who have a high risk of being afflicted with this disease, including indigenous Australians, those in the lower socio-economic brackets, the older population, and those who are overweight or obese. The indigenous Australians have a higher rate for morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disorders, suffering the disease about six to nine times higher as compared to the general population (National Public Health Partnership, 2003). Their higher risk for the disease is mostly attributed to the fact that a large number of them are overweight, smokers and who are physically dormant. Those in the lower socioeconomic groups are also liable to suffer this disease more than the general Australian population. The death rates for the disease in this group was registered those as high compared to those in the higher social sets (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). Studies also revealed that those in the lower social sets were likely to be involved in smoking; many of them had hypertension and were overweight. In relation to age and sex, those in the older population are likely to be afflicted by cardiovascular diseases, owing to the wear and tear of the ageing process as well as the likelihood that they would also be afflicted with other diseases like obesity or diabetes (Department of Health and Ageing, 2007). Women were also registered with high rates of cardiovascular disorders. However, it was notable that males were more likely to die from this disease as they were tobacco smokers who were obese, hypertensive, and engaged in limited exercise. Those who are overweight and obese have the highest risk of being afflicted with a cardiovascular disease (Cameron, et.al., 2003). Obesity has increased in Australia in recent years, and this trend has been more or less similar in other countries as well. Adults, 25 years and over present a 67% obesity rate in Australia, and 52% of women are considered overweight or obese (National Public Health Partnership, 2003). Among children, 20% are considered obese, and these who grow up to be obese were overweight adults when their eating and exercise habits were not corrected early during their formative years. The above specifications imply that the affected population need to implement lifestyle changes into the lives because most of the risk factors related to their increased prevalence were modifiable elements such as diet, lack of activity or exercise and smoking habits (McKenzie, et.al., 2009). In order to achieve improved health conditions, the patient and the health professionals need to establish health promotion measures which are specific and possibly based on a primary care setting. The basic and local communities are the best places to implement health promotion and health prevention activities (McKenzie, et.al., 2009). All health professionals and supervisors need to recognise this aspect of care before they can hope to achieve any progress in the management of cardiovascular disorders. The social determinants of health which influence this health problem relate to poverty and a deficient health program for those in the lower income groups (Burns, 2004). Those in the lower income groups often have less access to healthier foods. The healthier food choices are often more expensive in the market, as a result, those in the lower social set often have to make do with high salt and high cholesterol diets (Renzaho, et.al., 2006). The culture in their community is often one which involves high rates of smoking and alcoholism, especially among the indigenous Australian population. Moreover, due to the limited government programs, the risk for disease is indeed higher for those in the lower socio-economic group (Renzaho, et.al., 2006). The fact that the fast food industry has upsized their food portions while marketing it at a lower price contributes further to the higher rates of cardiovascular diseases among those in the lower socio-economic group (Cameron-Smith, et.al., 2002). Analysis and evaluation of relevant current Primary Health Care Services and initiatives which are in place to address this issue The National Primary Health Care Strategy, otherwise known as the Strategy is considered to be the first full national policy statement for primary health care in Australia (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). This strategy is the road map which seeks to provide an adequate guide for the entire primary health system of Australia. This strategy establishes five basic building blocks which would underpin all their health policies on primary health care. The building blocks include: regional integration, information and technology, skilled workforce, infrastructure, financing and system performance (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). Four priorities for change are included in this primary health strategy. All of these priorities are aimed at providing an adequate management of cardiovascular diseases. These priorities include: improving access and reducing inequity in health services, improvement of management of chronic conditions, increasing the focus on prevention of disease, improving the quality, safety, performance and accountability within primary health care (Department of Health and Ageing, 2010). These strategies have yet to find widespread and specific implementation. It is still too early to provide a fair and comprehensive review of the Strategy. In essence however, they do provide a sufficient basis for the implementation of better health among the vulnerable and at-risk populations in relation to cardiovascular disease. Primary health care is also offered through the Commonwealth via state and government allocations, as well as private support. Most of these are supported through Medicare rebates. From these primary health care methods however, service gaps have been seen. The Medicare was developed as a simple, affordable, universal, efficient, and accessible insurance system (Department of Health and Ageing, 2009). Medicare has been successful in meeting the goals of medical care in terms of affordability and universality. However, there are still gaps in the delivery of health, especially the uninsured, indigenous population and the poor citizens. The Australian government, in 1991 introduced the General Practice Reform Strategy in order to address the issues in primary health (Department of Health and Ageing, 2009). The Divisions of General Practice were designed to assist in the GPs and other health care givers in order to increase the quality of health services at the grass roots level. This division was further supported by the More Allied Health Services program and the Access to Allied Psychological Services. This program was able to provide the financial aspect of care, and gained improvements in the health services delivery. The Chronic Disease Management was also introduced in 2005, replacing the Enhanced Primary Care system (Department of Health and Ageing, 2009). This program was able to arm GPs with the tools of managing patients with chronic illnesses, including those with cardiovascular disorders and those who needed multi-disciplinary care. Rural and remote areas were served by this program. Among the indigenous Australians, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organizations were able to assist in delivering primary health care to the local aboriginal communities based on holistic, comprehensive and culturally appropriate services (Department of Health and Ageing, 2009). The Rural Health Services Program was also established in order to solidify various current programs in primary care; this was also designed to secure flexibility in primary health provision in the rural and remote setting. These services for primary care have sought to implement more specific remedies for cardiovascular diseases, as they have addressed specific issues which refer to risk factors of the disease. However, there are still gaps in the health practice which prompt more improvements in the primary health setting. Proposal of additional services needed to address this health issue Additional primary health care services and initiatives can be put together to further address this issue (Keleher, et.al., 2007). Despite efforts to address the risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases among the obese and overweight population, there is still a significant number of individuals suffering from this problem. There is therefore a need to implement a primary health program which would specifically address measures which lowers the incidence of obesity (Keleher, et.al., 2007). Primary health care programs can include diet plans for the community setting, coordinating with the food industry in order to promote healthier food choices and portions. This health programs must be conceptualized in the community context, not just within the health setting because the risk factors related to cardiovascular diseases are significantly affected by the environment and the socio-economic setting. Primary health programs which also promote activity and exercise can be implemented in the local setting (Talbot and Verrinder, 2010). These health programs can involve activity groups including those for the elderly, for the adults and for the children. The children’s health activities can be coordinated with the schools by the way of incorporating then into regular lessons and activities of the children (Batch, et.al., 2005). The elderly activities can be carried out in coordination with organizations for the elderly, paying particular attention to the activities which the elderly can easily carry out (Harris, 2008). Finally, among the adults, primary health programs can also include access to activities which can promote exercise, including gyms, bike paths, running tracks, basketball courts and similar activity areas. These activities can be coordinated with the work settings, or with the assistance of government initiatives (Cameron, et.al., 2003). Regular screening in the local setting should also be made available such as screening for cholesterol, blood sugar and pressure, and other similar tests which can encourage early detection and regular monitoring of the general population. These screening tests can be sponsored through private pharmaceutical firms in order to ensure free or minimal service fees. Conclusion Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases in Australia. It commonly afflicts those who are smoking, the obese, those in the lower socio-economic setting, the indigenous Australians and the older adults. The disease is largely caused by limited access to proper healthy foods, which the poor population cannot afford to access. In effect, primary health concerns must focus on the needs of the poor. The primary health programs which have been implemented have attempted to address the health issue, but these programs have not adequately achieved the ultimate goals of decreasing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Improvements to primary health care programs must therefore include programs that promote health, prevent obesity, and occurrence of cardiovascular diseases for the children, adults and the aged. Works Cited Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006. (2006). National Health Survey: Summary of Results, Australia, 2004-05, cat. no.4364.0, ABS, Canberra. Batch, J. & Baur, L. (2005). Management and prevention of obesity and its complications in children and adolescents. MJA, volume 182: pp. 130–135. Cameron-Smith, D., Bilsborough, S., & Crowe, T. (2002). Upsizing Australias waistline: the dangers of "meal deals". MJA, volume 177 (11/12): p. 686. Cameron, A., Welborn, T., Zimmet, P., Dunstan, D., Owen, N., Salmon, J., Dalton, M., Jolley, D., & Shaw, J. (2003). 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