What is the role of epidemiology?
The study of the patterns and causes of health & diseases in populations. This study is applied to improve health
What can epidemiology tell us?
The basic health status of Australia and the trends in mortality/morbidity over a period of time. It:
Who uses the measures of epidemiology?
Identify the limitations of epidemiology?
Identify the 4 measures of epidemiology?
= refers to ill health in an individual and to levels of ill health in a population
E.G. the number of cases of obesity is increasing, whereas CHD is declining in both females and males in AUS
= Has two indicators
= measures the number of deaths from a particular cause over a given period of time
= measures the number of deaths among children aged under 1 year in a given period per 1000 live births
= the average number of years a person will live
E.G. females = 84.4 yrs,
E.G. males = 80.3 yrs
Identify the priority health issues
SJ = the elimination of inequity, the promotion of inclusiveness and the establishment of supportive environments for all
PPG = groups in society with significantly different health statuses, disadvantages & inequalities:
INDIVIDUAL = cost/burden measure in terms of:
COMMUNITIES = economic burden of illness, disease & death
Difference between health inequity vs. health inequality
- Inequality refers to the differences in the health of individuals and groups
Nature & extent of health inequities within ATSI populations?
3 Health determinants within the ATSI population
SOCIOCULTURAL:
SOCIOECONOMIC:
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Role of communities, individuals & governments within ATSI population
INDIVIDUALS: access information & health services
COMMUNITIES: responsibility to address inequities
- provide support, educate the community, create awareness E.G. QUIT smoking groups
GOVERNMENTS: creating health policies
- health initiatives specifically designed to improve the health of ATSI E.G. Closing the Gap
Nature & extent of health inequities within R/R areas
3 Health determinants within R/R areas
SOCIOCULTURAL:
SOCIOECONOMIC:
ENVIRONMENTAL:
Role of communities, individuals & governments within R/R areas
INDIVIDUALS: good decision making and taking responsibility for their own health
COMMUNITIES: provides relevant health care and support services
GOVERNMENTS: funds programs to assist the health care of R/R living people
- E.G. Royal Flying Doctor Service provides health care, clinics, medical evacuations, provides medical check-ups and remote consultations
What are chronic diseases + examples
Chronic diseases are long term and persistent conditions that can lead to a gradual deterioration of health & are responsible for 80% of the total disease burden
Nature & Extent of CVD
CVD = Condition affecting the blood vessels and heart (poor supply of blood to muscular walls of the heart)