An introduction to Australia’s

Health

Do you think Australia is a healthy nation?

• Our people generally have good health• Our health is improving on many fronts• It compares well with other countries in many

ways

Of course there are serious areas of concern that need to be tackled and there is great scope for Australia to do better.

All in all, Australia is a healthy nation

How much do YOU know about Australia’s health?

What is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia?

A. Lung cancer B. Bowel cancer

C. MelanomaD. Pancreatic cancer

Report reference-Cancer in Australia in brief 2010page 15

Which sector of health in Australia uses the most money?

A. Medications B. Public health

C. Dental services D. Hospitals

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010page 431

Which disease places the highest burden on Australians?

A. Cardiovascular disease

B. Cancer

C. Mental health D. Diabetes

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010pages 57-58

What is the single most preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia?

A. Alcohol B. Obesity

C. Smoking D. Illicit drugs

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010pages 84-88

What % of children aged 5-17 years were overweight or obese in 2007-08?

A. 45% B. 25%

C. 35% D. 15%

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010 pages 116-117

Which group of young people are more likely to be overweight or obese?

A. Males B. Females

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010page 117

What % of 15-24 year olds had never smoked?As surveyed in the 2007 Drugs survey

A. 30% B. 46%

C. 55% D. 76%

Report reference- Australia’s health 2010pages 86-87, 310

• CVD death rate• cancer death rate• smoking rates• asthma death rates• infectious disease death rates• fatal injuries• traffic deaths

What’s good?

You need to know TRENDS (not statistics)from this report…..

Let’s see what it says…

We are living longer and longer lives. This is called LIFE EXPECTANCY

LIFE EXPECTANCY

• the expected number of years one will live at any given point in time

• What do you think the Life Expectancy of males and females?

Australia is outliving most of the world

What’s not so good?

• Obesity trend• Overweight trend• Diabetes rates

Forecast• Diabetes• Dementia

What is EPIDEMIOLOGY?

• Epidemiology is ‘the study of patterns of illness and disease in a given population’

Important terms to know:

• PREVALENCE - number of cases of an illness in the population

Important terms to know:

• INCIDENCE - number of new cases of an illness in a particular time period

STUDENT TASK (AIHW 2010 Book)1. Define the following terms as used in epidemiology:

– Mortality, infant mortality, morbidity, life expectancy.

2. Consider the value and need for the production of national health reports to improve the health of Australians. Evaluate the effectiveness of using epidemiology to define the health status of a population.

3. Why is the gathering of epidemiological information so important in improving the health of all Australians by considering such questions as: a) What information does epidemiology provide?

b) Who uses these measures?

c) What are the limitations of epidemiological information?

d) What are the risks of using only epidemiological information to inform the allocation of funds for health care?

e) What other considerations are important when deciding funding priorities for health?

STUDENT TASK (AIHW 2010 Book & ABS)

Life Expectancy (Measures of Australia’s Progress: 2010 link)

1. Explain current trends in life expectancy for males and females in Australia.

2. Based on current trends, predict life expectancy for males and females in Australia in 5 years, 20 years and 50 years. Justify your predictions.

Morbidity (Year Book Australia 2009-2010 link & Australia’s Health Section 2.5)

3. Identify the 5 major causes of morbidity for males and females in Australia.

Mortality (Year Book Australia 2009-2010 link & Australia’s Health)

4. Identify the 5 major causes of mortality for males and females in Australia.

• Reference: This ppt was adapted from teacher worksheet series www.aihw.gov.au/education