The overall health status of Australia is very good, we have one of the highest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rates in the world. Unfortunately not all demographic groups share this good health. There are some large differences that exist between these priority population groups.
These differences exist in terms of:
Health is, to a large extent, the result of people's individual health behaviours (such as regular participation in physical activity) and their interactions to the social, physical and cultural environments in which they live. However, an individual's level of health is determined by a broader range of factors and not just their health-related decisions. Sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors play a significant role in the achievement of good health. Some factors have the potential for change, such as individuals choosing not to smoke, or governments making roads safer. Other factors, such as an individual's genetic makeup, are generally not modifiable.
Health is therefore not only the responsibility of the individual. Governments and health authorities recognise that people cannot always choose a particular lifestyle. Health promotion and illness prevention campaigns attempt to address the determinants that have an impact on health or affect people's ability to make good decisions about their health. These can be classified as:
These differences exist in terms of:
- the unequal distribution of some illnesses or conditions throughout the population (across different cultures, geographic locations, ages and genders)
- health inequities; that is, the unjust impact on the health status of some groups due to social, economic, environmental and cultural factors, such as income, education, availability of transport and access to health services.
- Major indicators — such as the incidence and prevalence of disease and different rates of sickness, hospitalisation and death — point to areas in which inequities exist.
Health is, to a large extent, the result of people's individual health behaviours (such as regular participation in physical activity) and their interactions to the social, physical and cultural environments in which they live. However, an individual's level of health is determined by a broader range of factors and not just their health-related decisions. Sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors play a significant role in the achievement of good health. Some factors have the potential for change, such as individuals choosing not to smoke, or governments making roads safer. Other factors, such as an individual's genetic makeup, are generally not modifiable.
Health is therefore not only the responsibility of the individual. Governments and health authorities recognise that people cannot always choose a particular lifestyle. Health promotion and illness prevention campaigns attempt to address the determinants that have an impact on health or affect people's ability to make good decisions about their health. These can be classified as:
- sociocultural determinants of health, including family, peers, media, religion and culture
- socioeconomic determinants of health, including employment, education and income
- environmental determinants of health, including geographical location, and access to health services and technology.
Overview of the health status of main population groups
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Watch the animation below to highlight the health inequities facing ATSI'sImproving Indigenous Health - ABC NewsIt is believed the production of more Indigenous doctors will help improve the appalling statistics on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
Watch the clip below and justify this statement. |
Close the Gap
- Oxfam Australia is working in coalition with over 40 indigenous and non-indigenous organisations to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians. National Close the Gap day has been held annually since 2007. Click on the poster above to explore Oxfam Australia's site and reflect on how Close the Gap addresses social justice principles. Sample Questions
No greater difference in health equity exists in Australia than the between indigenous and non-indigenous people.
Explore the graph in Australia's Health 2010 on the health inequities that exist currently. and write a response to these 2010 HSC questions. Outline TWO socioeconomic determinants that contribute to health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. /3 Describe the roles that individuals, communities and governments have in addressing health inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. /5 Although there have been improvements in the mortality rates of Indigenous Australians in recent years, available data suggest that the relative gap in overall mortality rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is widening. AIHW 2010 |