Health Status of Different Population Groups The progress in improving health status in Australia has not been equally shared by all Australians. Health

Health Status of Different Population Groups

The progress in improving health status in Australia has not been equally shared by all Australians.

Health is greatly influenced by socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, location, employment status and education.

Indigenous Australians

Refers to people who identify as ‘Aboriginal’ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’.

Make up approximately 2.2% of the overall population.

More than half live in QLD and NSW. About 1/3 of Indigenous people live in capital

cities. About 1 in 5 live in remote locations.

Indigenous Australians cont..

Life expectancy is about 20 years lower than for other Australians. 56 years for males and 63 for females.

Infant mortality rates are about 3 times higher than for the rest of Australia.

Higher death rates for almost every cause of death – refer to page 18 Figure 1.7.


Heart disease is the major cause of death – rate is 5 times higher than for other Australians.

High rates of smoking, obesity and diabetes. Second leading category of deaths include

accidents, poisonings, suicide and violence.


Morbidity rates higher – admissions to hospital for chronic kidney disease high.

Development of Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) tends to occur at a younger age for Indigenous people.

Obesity, poor nutrition, low levels of physical activity and genetic predisposition put this group of people at risk.


Poor access to health services. Lack of local health services or not culturally

appropriate. High levels of unemployment, poor housing and

nutritional status, low socio-economic status, high levels of substance misuse and racism/discrimination.

Article ‘Deadly: Indigenous health today’ DVD: A Dying Shame

Socio-economic status

Strong link between people’s health and their social and economic situation.

Socio-economic status is measured at an individual level (income, employment, occupation &education) and at an ecological level (proportion of low birth weight babies, levels of child abuse, families requiring emergency assistance, mortality rates).

Socio-economic status cont..

Link between socio-economic status and mortality – Figure 1.10 page 22.

People classified as being of ‘low socio-economic status’ have higher rates of death from coronary heart disease, cancer, suicide and accidents.

Higher rates of smoking, obesity and lower rates of physical activity.

Socio-economic status cont..

The following website – Jesuit Social Services

http://www.jss.org.au

Male & Female Health

In 2000, the life expectancy of females at birth is 5.4years longer than that of males

Males have higher death rates at all ages 10% more likely to die then females

Males have a higher mortality & morbidity for nearly all diseases

Females have poorer levels of health and minor illnesses – visit the doctor more often

Activity 1.13 Q 1-3 Activity 1.14 Q 1-3

Rural and Remote Australia

People in rural, regional and remote Australia are finding it difficult to maintain their health in conditions that were once natural advantages: long distances from cities, outdoor work and lifestyles.

Rural life brings many advantages but it is clear that they have a number of health needs.

Rural and Remote Australia cont…

Mortality & Morbidity in rural areas Rural and Remote areas are characterised by:

Higher mortality rates. Lower Life expectancy Higher hospitalisation rates

Particular issues of concern are: Injury – unintentional or intended Suicide Heart Disease Mental Health Alcohol dependence Smoking Insufficient physical activity – overweight

Activity 1.15 Q 1-3


Mental Health in rural areas is of particular concern due to:– Isolation– Parents left alone in old age due to movement of

young people out of rural areas– Economic restructuring that has seen rural

employment levels drop considerably and increased rural poverty.

– Exposure to stressful situations – drought, flood and Fire.

– Higher suicide rates – twice that of metropolitan areas


Health Services– Despite higher overall hospitalisation rates,

people in rural & remote areas show lower levels of use of health services.

– WHY? Fewer services Greater difficulty accessing them – GP, Hospitals,

pharmacists, medical specialist, hostels & nursing homes

Privacy – Especially with Mental Health & sexually issues

Other population groups

Major inequalities in health in Australia Certain population groups who have particular health

needs Australia now has a large number of people fleeing

conflict & war, imprisonment and torture. “Ageing Society” – Proportion of the population in

twenty years will be over the age of 65yrs Number of single parent households

REVIEW page 31 1-5

Determinants of health

Meaning - The causes of people’s health status

Activity 1.16

FOUR ELEMENTS – that determine the level of people’s health

Health Care Services Biomedical Factors Lifestyle and Behaviours Environmental Conditions

1. Health Care Services

While we all depend on health care services when we are ill, health care plays a relatively minor role in determining health status in this country

Whereas other countries who have less access to Western Medical facilities it seems to be a major problem – e.g. CUBA

2. Biomedical Factors

“Biomedical Factors” – biology and medicine Relates to the way the body works and

whether they are in good repair. We have a long history of medical research

and a health care system Obesity, high blood pressure and high

cholesterol are among the most important biomedical determinants of Australia’s Health Status

2. Biomedical Factors cont….

Overweight and Obesity– Judgements on whether people are healthy weight range

are made by calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI). – From 1985 -1995 childhood obesity more then doubled –

15% of children are now classified as being obese. – Adults rates have shown similar growth – 40% are

overweight and 20% obese – 60% of population– Men 67% worse then women with 52%– Continuing to be overweight increases the risk of serious

health conditions later– Activity 1.17


High blood pressure – Blood pressure refers to the force that your blood

exerts on the walls of your arteries as it is pumps through your body.

– High Blood pressure is defined by the WHO as “as a systolic blood pressure greater than 140mmHg

or a diastolic pressure greater then 90mmHg”

– High blood pressure is known as HYPERTENSION.

– Responsible for 5.8% of the burden of disease– GOOD NEWS – level of hypertension has

reduced by one third over the past twenty years


High Cholesterol– Cholesterol is a nature substance produced in the

body and is necessary for healthy cells.– Problem is the many of us have higher levels then

what is required – can lead to clogging of the arteries that brings on heart pain (angina), heart attacks or stroke.

– 50% of us are in this category with prevalence increasing with age


Sex & Gender– Males

– On average die younger from all causes of death– See the doctor less often– Engage in more health damaging behaviours– Suffer more violence and injury– Commit suicide in higher numbers

– Females– Higher levels of chronic and minor illnesses– Less physically activity– Higher level of depression


The differences between males and females are believed to be due to:

–Ways that we are raised–Socialize males and females– Impact of economic, cultural and

social factors


GENETICS– Genetic make up will influence a person’s health – Well known genetic diseases and disorders

include Haemophilia Cystic Fibrosis Sickle-cell anaemia Down Syndrome Muscular Dystrophy Phenylketonuria (PKU)

ACTIVITY 1.18 – pick one as a class and investigate

3. Lifestyle and Behaviours

Lifestyles and behaviours and the factors that influence these.

The link between a persons state of health and individuals behaviours are well recognised.

We know that not smoking, getting lots of rest and physical activity and eating a healthy diet will help us live longer and healthier.

3. Lifestyle and Behaviours cont…

Lifestyle – refers to the sum of people’s behaviours in everyday life, their patterns of living

Influences:– Tobacco Smoking – Physical inactivity– Alcohol misuse– Illicit drug use– Knowledge, attitudes & beliefs

3. Lifestyle and Behaviours cont….

Tobacco Smoking– Number one cause of preventable death and

disability– Responsible for 12% of burden of disease in men

and 7% in women – Tobacco related deaths are from lung cancer,

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – chronic bronchitis and emphysema), heart disease, and other cancers.

– Activity 1.20 & 1.21


Physical Inactivity– Largest cause of burden of disease in women – An individual level of participation in sport and

recreation groups has been associated with: improved quality of life, mood, decrease in anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem and self-efficacy, development of social skills, stronger family relations & greater sense of belonging


At a community level, participation has been linked to greater social cohesion and social integration, community pride, and decrease in crime and antisocial behaviour.

80% of the population indicated involvement in at least one activity

Over half the adult population fail to participate in adequate levels of physical activity.


Alcohol Misuse– Excessive alcohol use is responsible for about 4.9% of the

national burden of disease – linked to: Increase in Cancer Liver Disease Pancreatitis Diabetes Stroke Epilepsy Road Traffic Accidents Falls Burns Drowning Suicides Violence


BUT – moderate use of alcohol is linked to improved health outcomes – most notably reduction of heart disease, stroke and gallstones.

Activity 1.22


Illicit Drug use– Refers to those drugs that are illegal to posses or

if legal to posses, are used inappropriately– 37.7% of the Australian population aged 14 years

and over have used any illicit drug at least once in their life

– 16.9% have used illicit drugs in the last twelve months

– Common drug is Marijuana about 1/3 of people have used it at least once in their lives

– Illicit drugs lead to risk taking behaviour


Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs– What a person believes about their health and the

education that they have had– Behavioral Psychology – provides us with a number of

theories on how to change peoples behaviour – In order to change behaviour a few things need to happen

Feel threatened, vulnerable, susceptible Feel that it is a serious issue Recognize a change would be beneficial Overcome the cost Competent to carry it out

– Activity 1.23 & 1.24

4. Environmental Conditions

Environmental Health – those factors that impact positively or negatively on our health.

“those aspects of human health determined by the physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the environment” – (Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care)

Positive Side – improvements in housing, sanitation, water quality, food safety and working conditions have been central to improved public health.

4. Environmental Conditions cont…

Negative Side– Air Pollution– Chemicals used in growing and processing foods– Nuclear waste is the environment– Toxic Chemicals– Noise Levels in some work and recreation settings– Hole in the Ozone layer– Clearing of Forest– Some buildings make as sick – poorly maintained– Farming practices are unsustainable– High levels of algae– Poor Hygiene practices and unsafe storage of foods

4. Environmental Conditions cont…

Social health determinants– People in low socio-economic status areas have poorer health– Stress – People with stress struggle with life for a whole lot of

reasons e.g. social isolation, lack of self esteem or struggle financially.

– Early life – Slow growth– Social exclusion– Work– Unemployment– Social support– Addiction– Food– Transport– ACTIVITY 1.26 – Q2– REVIEW Questions 1-6 – H/W

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Health Status of Different Population Groups The progress in improving health status in Australia has not been equally shared by all Australians. Health