Overview of Health promotion and health improvement programs


 


Health promotion is with intention of really maintaining as well as promoting health in diverse interest to medicine and clinical care as the health promotion concerns to population who are not sickly but, health promotion starts with people who are healthy for instance, the quality of roads and vehicle design will determine how many road accidents there are and how many people die. As a person cannot crash head on into an oncoming line of traffic if the road has strong median divider as determined by public policy, not by what the individual driver decides as it can be that health promotion has nothing to do with individual behavior. Then, health promotion concerns with structure of life circumstances rather than individual behavior as health promotion in the mainstream is most significant improvements to health occur outside things that people need to do for themselves. In other words, it can be the social context and structure of services available to people as central focus for health promotion and reprove individuals to mend ways. Ensuring adequacy of economic condition for which people should advocate it volubly, an obligation that rests on those who educate tomorrow’s doctors and health providers in order to sensitize the needs of community.


 


Insights Cited From:


 


Health Promotion in Australia


The success health promotion and preventative programs have attracted increasing attention and resources from Government. This trend is likely to continue as we have firm evidence that these programs give a big return on the Government’s investment – as detailed in a recent report commissioned by my department.  The report by Applied Economics is the most detailed examination ever attempted of the costs and benefits of Australian public health programs – and found that of the five national programs considered, every one has delivered social and community benefits for beyond its costs.  While there is no formal, nationally agreed policy statement in Australia on health promotion, the principles of prevention and education are now an accepted and increasingly integrated part of our health system. This is supported by a strong infrastructure within both the government and non-government sectors, and greatly improved research.  While government action is central, governments cannot work in isolation on these issues. Health promotion and disease prevention can only be effective if it reaches people in their homes, workplaces and communities. To do this, we have to work across levels of governments, with business, with the medical profession with a range of community agencies.


 


 


 


 


One of these agencies is the national professional association, the Public Health Association of Australia, which was founded in 1967. The association provides strong advocacy for health promotion and prevention, and is actively involved in policy development, research and training. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information on public health in Australia.  Within Australian government, milestone was reached with the creation of the National Public Health Partnership in 1996. The Partnership’s role is to identify public health priorities in Australia and plan and coordinate national strategies to address them. Its key objective is to ensure that all levels of government are working together in an effective and efficient way on important public health issues. The ability to work together is key to delivering future health promotion programs. These programs will need to be sustainable, effective and flexible, address local issues and needs, and to respond to international emergencies.


 


Development of Health Promotion in Australia


 


Partly because of this success health promotion and preventative programs have attracted increasing attention and resources from all levels of Government. This trend is likely to continue as we have firm evidence that these programs give a big return on the Government’s investment as detailed in a recent report commissioned by my department. The report by  was detailed examination ever attempted of costs and benefits of Australian public health programs and found that of the five national programs considered, every one has delivered social and community benefits for beyond its costs.  While there is no formal, nationally agreed policy statement in Australia on health promotion, the principles of prevention and education are now an accepted and increasingly integrated part of our health system. This is supported by a strong infrastructure within both the government and non-government sectors, and greatly improved research. While government action is central, governments cannot work in isolation on the issues as health promotion and disease prevention can only be effective if it reaches people in their homes, workplaces and communities as people have to work across government and of community agencies. Aside, one of agencies is the Public Health Association of Australia that provides strong advocacy for health promotion and prevention, and is actively involved in policy development, research and training. It also provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information on public health in Australia. Within government, milestone was reached with the creation of the National Public Health Partnership in 1996. With strategic leadership from the Commonwealth, the Partnership was formed by the Health Ministers of the Commonwealth and all of the States and Territories. The Partnership’s role is to identify public health priorities in Australia, and plan and coordinate national strategies to address them. Its key objective is to ensure that all levels of government are working together in an effective and efficient way on important public health issues pulling together rather than just doing their own thing. Australia is grappling with a progressively less active and overweight and obese population with implications for escalating levels of chronic disease. During 2002, the Council of Australian Governments made such agreement to work together to improve health and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. There were improvements in primary care, imperative raise in attendance for antenatal care attending, reductions in mortality rates and low birth-weights and close to such vaccine coverage for children. The ability to work together is essential to delivering future health promotion programs as the programs will need to be effective and flexible in order to address local issues and needs and to respond to international emergencies and to devise new and innovative ways to tackle the difficult problems of co-morbidity and multiple risk factors which are a characteristic of our modern lifestyle.


 


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Health Concerns in Australia


 


A. LUNG CANCER


Cancer have impact in Australian community incidence rates, one in three men and one in four women in Australia will develop cancer by the age of 75. By age 85, the risk increases to one in two for men and one in three for women. More than 93 000 Australians were diagnosed with new cases of cancer in 2003. The estimated number of non-melanoma skin cancers treated in Australia in 2002 was 347 000. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Australia, followed by colorectal, breast, cancer of unknown primary site and prostate cancer and breast cancer. These five cancers accounted for 53 percent of all deaths from cancer. (Cited from, , 2007) The Australian Government recognizes that cancer is serious health issue and has reaffirmed its promise to reduce the burden of all cancers by committing the Strengthening Cancer Care initiative. This initiative will ensure better coordination of the national cancer effort; more research funding for cancer care; enhanced cancer prevention and screening programs; and better support and treatment for those living with cancer. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


National Tobacco Campaign – Health Promotion Approach


During June 1997, Minister for Health and Aged Care launched the National Tobacco Campaign which was collaborative national social marketing campaign involving the Australian Government, State and territory governments and key non-government organizations working in tobacco control. The campaign involves comprehensive health promotions approach including: (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


-          powerful mass media advertising


-          complementary public relations activities at the national and local level


-          upgraded services for smokers at the local level


-          the involvement of health professionals



 


 


 


Campaign Outcomes


The Australian Government provided 75 percent of the cost of the television blitz with remainder contributed by States and Territories, evaluation research showed that the campaign was having the desired effect on smokers. The proportion of adults currently smoking had fallen by 1.4 percent as equivalent around 190,000 less smokers. Then, Australia was pleased to assist in providing material as smoking is health scourge even if prevalence of smoking is declining, it is rising in other country and matter of concern for global health community. There were health warnings printed on cigarette packaging in Australia but, have been steadily strong and graphic. There were health actions as implemented through Communicable Diseases Network comprising State and Territory health authorities and infectious diseases specialists. When the need is considered to be great enough, every avenue should be explored and that means hitting what was the hip pocket nerve imposing monetary price on choices which are bad for health and Australian community. (Cited from, , 2007) The National Cancer Strategies Group will provide expert advice on best practice strategies and interventions for implementing priorities in cancer control Maintain oversight of the implementation and evaluation of agreed national strategies and interventions for cancer. Provide advice on the development and implementation of the National Cancer Control Plan for the coming years. Consider, evaluate and recommend priorities not identified in National Cancer Control Plan that have the potential to increase the effectiveness or equity of cancer control and offer value for money, or that can reduce the cost of cancer control with no or minimal loss of effectiveness. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


Plans and priorities


One priority for Cancer Australia is to conduct a review of national cancer control activity, consortium of national cancer control and public health organisations has been contracted to complete the review and prepare a report to Cancer Australia. There will reviews in collating and evaluating information regarding cancer control activity in Australia to identify opportunities for building collaboration and capacity and strengths, gaps and overlaps in activities and effort. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


 


    Building cancer support groups

The Australian Government has committed new funding of .1 million to assist in developing cancer support networks. Small grants of up to ,000 will be available as seed funding to support groups in the areas of bowel, lung, ovarian and other cancers and will contribute to salary and administration expenses of the organisations. The redevelopment allows for facilities to be amalgamated in one area and for additional 15 beds and improved parent facilities to be provided. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


The preliminary cancer research priorities will be: (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


-          improving screening programs to ensure that patients can be identified and treated appropriately and ensuring that screening services are effective


-          early detection of breast and ovarian cancers


-          the application of emerging new treatments and technologies, particularly for bowel and prostate cancer


-          improvements in cancer outcomes through better coordination of care and a multi-disciplinary approach


 


 


 


 


B. ROAD INJURIES


 


Injury prevention and control was endorsed as a National Health Priority Area by the Australian Health Ministers in 1986 in recognition of the national burden of injury.  Injuries result in an estimated 6 percent of deaths each year in Australia and are responsible for an estimated 400,000 hospital admissions annually. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


Injuries are the principal cause of death in almost half of the people under 45 years of age, and account for a range of physical, cognitive and psychological disabilities that seriously affect the quality of life of injured people and their families. Australia has achieved some significant gains in the prevention of a number of different types of injuries where concerted efforts have been made. There have been improvements in road safety, road toll in Australia has fallen from 3,578 in 2002 (Cited from, , 2007; , 2003). The reduction in road deaths has occurred despite significant growth in population, vehicle numbers and kilometers traveled. Initiatives such as random breath testing, compulsory seat belts, speed blitzes, car design and safety features better roads, ongoing community education regarding road safety, and improved life saving medical procedures and trauma care have all contributed to the decline in the number of vehicle-related fatalities.


 


 


National Injury Prevention Plan


The work of the Australian Government’s National Injury Prevention Program is guided by three national plans: The National Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Plan: 2004 – 2014, the National Falls Prevention for Older People Plan: 2004 Onwards and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Safety Promotion Strategy. Injury prevention and control is one of the Australian Government’s seven national health priority areas. Injury remains one of the largest causes of death in Australian population. The initiatives are funded by the Australian Government to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries: The National Injury Prevention Program, which include projects for preventing childhood poisoning by pharmaceutical products, playground safety training, national injury data collection, child safety on farms, reducing injury associated with alcohol consumption, water safety and improved coronial data. (Cited from, , 2007) The National Falls Prevention for Older People Initiative, which includes projects for reducing the harm from falls in people aged 65 and over, studies into costs of fall related injury in older people, workforce training for community based medical professionals and the welfare workforce, falls prevention in residential aged care facilities and hospitals and research into falls risk factors and interventions.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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Management of injuries resulting from falls in older people is one of the major contributors to the injury burden. No other injury cause, including road trauma, costs the health system more than falls. It is projected that, by 2051, there will be a threefold increase in total health costs attributable to falls related injury, totaling ,375 million per annum translates into 886,000 additional hospital bed days per annum and an additional 3,320 nursing home places (Cited from, , 2007; , 2003 ).


C. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE


Much of the burden caused by cardiovascular disease is preventable. In the 2001 National Health Survey, nine in ten Australians aged 18 years and reported having at least one of the following risk factors: (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


-          tobacco smoking


-          excessive alcohol consumption


-          high blood pressure


-          overweight


-          diabetes


 


 


Cardiovascular disease accounts for the largest proportion of Australian health system costs, comprising 11 percent of total allocated health expenditure in 2000-01. This excludes the cost of kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is marked by long term irreversible loss of kidney function. It contributes significantly to mortality and disability in Australia. The disease can affect all of the body’s organ systems but common problems include fluid retention, high blood pressure, anaemia and loss of appetite. Statistics showing the impact of heart, stroke, vascular and kidney diseases on Australians in 2001, 3.7 million Australians 19 percent were affected by heart, stroke and vascular diseases. (Cited from, , 2007) The cardiovascular health of Australians has improved with substantial and continuing falls in death rates, reduction in the levels of certain risk factors and major advances in treatment and care. Yet these diseases remain the leading cause of death and a significant cause of disability in Australia. Australia has made significant progress in decreasing the death rate for heart, stroke and vascular disease. (Cited from, , 2007)


 


 


 


 


Rationale of the Health Concerns


The building of health promotion policy that combine approaches for cancer control as well as avoiding cardio diseases and the prevention of injuries as ample legislation and measures is needed for the change. There is the need for health policy to require adoption of healthy public policies for cancer awareness, the value of understanding injuries and chronic diseases with support of health sectors and developing ways to eradicate such health issues. The creation of detailed support environment as crucial for continuous drive and motivation of HP for the health concerns mentioned and should be addressed in appropriate health promotion strategies catering to the health needs of the Australian community. For the health concerns, the need to utilize community development about the human and material resources to enhance social support and to develop flexible systems for strengthening public participation of access to information and learning.  Develop personal skills as it enable people who can be victims of such disease, to learn to prepare themselves for all of its stages and to cope with chronic illness and injuries is essential. Reorientation of health services in lieu to guiding principle should be that women and men should become equal partners in each phase of planning, implementation and evaluation of health promotion activities along with basis of strategies based on the Ottawa Charter of 1986 regarding health promotion.


 


Identifying goals and strategies and health promotion programs


 


The need for HP advocacies to be successful and effective for cancer institutions and the advocacy through campaigns and health drives for injury reduction cases and avoiding cardio diseases by being a true advocate will strengthen the purpose of health programs and make every condition idealistic through proper sanctions of health advocacy. The enabling needs to be tough for the cancer patients, injury victims through road accidents as well as the presence of chronic illness and the ensuring of equal opportunities and resources in enabling people to achieve health potential through supportive environment, life skills and opportunities and make wise choices and be equal to women and men.  The ample demand in coordinated action by health concerns as for health promotion to succeed,the priority health goals and targets will need to provide mandate for increasing base as to whichaction is promoted(., 1997 ). The creative use of communication technologies as necessary to ensure that there is powerful advocacy to securecontinued action to promote, protect and maintainthe health Australian population.


 


 


 


 


 


The health promotion programs that determined such health concerns within the Australian population can be the utilization of such HP programs that helps alleviate cases of cancer, injuries as well as cardiovascular diseases. There is the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program that helps improve clinical health outcomes, reduce lifestyle risk factors, maintain health for chronic and complex conditions and improve access to Australian general practice. The Collaborative Program are drawn from focus on prevention in improved information and management initiatives. The fact that, as part of the 2007/08 Budget, Australian Government announced that the Collaborative Program will be continued and expanded. Learning workshops: participating general practices attended an orientation day and participated in series of learning workshops provided the opportunity to consider how to improve care and practice systems, and access to ideas and experiences from fellow practices. In 1994, The Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council established working group to select initial focus areas for national agreement and action to establish working groups for each focus area health concerns are focused such as:


-          cardiovascular health


-          mental health


-          cancer control


-          injury prevention and control


 


 


 


The report, ‘’Better Health Outcomes for Australians: National Goals, Targets and Strategies for Better Health Outcomes into the Next Century’’ then, draw findings of working groups providing goals and targets for improving health outcomes for such concerns. There is focus on social capital support balance of strategies that address behavior and those that focus on settings in which people live, work and play. The implication for health promotion is, emphasis is needed on efforts to strengthen the mechanisms by which people interact and take action to promote health. The service providers can enhance social capital in community by supporting community projects to achieve beneficial goal to encourage the community to participate in activities. The social groups and health personnel have responsibility to mediate between differing interests in society for pursuance of health. Health promotion strategies and programs should be adapted to the local needs and possibilities of individual countries and regions to take into account differing social, cultural and economic systems. Health promotion puts health on the agenda of policy-makers in sectors in levels, directing them to be aware of health consequences of decisions and to accept responsibilities for health. Health promotion policy combines diverse but complementary approaches including legislation and organization change.


 


 


 


 


 


Aside, health promotion work in concrete and effective community action setting priorities as well as making decisions, planning strategies and implementation to have better health enhance support and develop flexible systems for strengthening public participation and direction of health matters. Health promotion supports personal and social development through providing information, education for health and enhancing life skills increases the options available to people to exercise control over health and environments and to make choices conducive to health. Enabling people to learn through life prepare them for its stages as well as to cope with illness and injuries as crucial. Moreover, action is required as responsibility for health promotion in health services is shared among individuals, community groups, health service institution and government, must work together towards health care system which contributes to good health. The health services need to embrace expanded mandate sensitive to culture needs. The reorienting of health services then requires strong attention to health changes in professional education and training leading to change of attitude in health services focus on total needs of individual as whole being. Australia have history of action in health promotion and disease prevention over the past 25 years with factor in improving health of the Australian population as most Australians enjoy much better health and have the lowest mortality rates in OECD and Australia is ranked fourth on quality of life indicators by WHO.


 


 


 


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