What Does It Mean For The Health Of A Nation? Essay

Mental illness disorders and suicide as surveys and statistics would show, affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at a higher rate than the rest of the Australian population (Elder, Evans, Nizette, 2013). Thirty percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population aged 18 years and over experienced some sort psychological distress at a greater than normal level during the year 2012 to 2013 (ABS, 2015). Compared to other Australians, the Indigenous people aged 18 years and over were three times more prone to experiencing psychological distress than the rest of the Australian population (ABS, 2015). Mental health services treat more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in contrast with the Non-Aboriginal population, around

As a people, our rate of chronic disease is still 2.5 times higher than that of other Australians, and Indigenous people in this country die 15 to 20 years younger than those in mainstream Australia. More than half of

“Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people have a greater amount of disadvantage and significantly more health problems than the non-Aboriginal & Torres strait Islander population in Australia”

The determinants have a positive or negative effect on the health of individuals and communities (Dudgeon, 2014). Aboriginal health recognizes that social inequalities are associated with health inequality. For example, lack of education, homelessness and low income are clearly associated with ill health and affect human development. This can contribute to chronic stress which impacts on the body's immune system, circulatory system, and metabolic functions resulting in mental health problems (Baum,

Fazel, S., Khosla, V., Doll, H., Geddes, J. (2008). The prevalence of mental disorders among the

Priority population groups refer to the groups within the population that are significantly disadvantaged or are in more risk of illness or chronic disease. These groups are determined by the study of Epidemiology which is studied by observing the health and illness patterns as well as the associated factors dealing with the population. This gives us an accurate overview of who needs more attention within the population. It also gives us an insight in the apparent causes of illness and disease, distribution as well as the prevalence and incidence of the disease. Through epidemiology we have found that the population groups needing attention are; People living in Rural or Remote Areas, Overseas Born People, People with Disabilities, The Elderly, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People (the Indigenous) and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged People (low SES).

A question asked by many Australians. The reason for this are the social determinates of health, there is a wide range of og things that can influence a person health these can include but are not limited to stress, early life, social exclusion, poverty, unemployment, social support, addiction, food, transport, where you live, personal health and coping skills WHO (2013). Addressing the social determinates of health is important to the primary health care system as one of the principles is health equity, giving everyone the access to health care no matter what position they are in. It is said that a person will generally be healthier if they feel comfortable and safe where they live, have a good connection with family and friends and have a good job earning decent money WHO

What might explain these statistics, or at least serve as correlations, are the determinants of health. If the reader is not familiar with the determinants of health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides an explanation of them. In essence, these health determinants are factors that have significant impact upon one’s health. The main determinants for health are: socioeconomic status, where the rich and upper classes tend to be healthier; education, where low education is linked to stress, lower self-esteem and poorer health choices; environment, where purer air, cleaner water, healthier workplaces and better housing contribute to being healthier; health services, where access to services and proper equipment all contribute to health; as well as gender, genetics, culture and social behaviour (WHO, 2016). As there are so health determinants, where essays can be written on one alone, it is not within the scope of this essay to critically analyse each determinant for Indigenous Australians. With this in mind, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2014) documents an extensive list of data for Indigenous health, most of which discusses issues which are out-of-scope for this analysis. What is relevant, however, is outlined next. Across the board, in 2011, the Indigenous population was younger than the non-Indigenous population due to high fertility and mortality rates with those

Socioeconomic factors are associated with education, employment, and income, and each, has a substantial influence on the health of Indigenous Australians. Education, which is inaccessible for many Indigenous people, allows for the greater knowledge of health issues, and the increased understanding of both protective behaviors and risk factors. It is a known fact that with a lack of education or one that is poor, there is a increased risk that there will be less employment opportunities – ultimately leading to little or no income. Hence, the vicious poverty cycle is born. Education enables

In the Common Wealth Fund’s most recent report of Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, despite the fact the US Health care system has the highest healthcare per capita expenditure and the highest proportion of specialists; it consistently has an overall ranking of last, in comparison to other industrialized nations in terms of health care efficiency, equity, quality, access, and healthy lives (Davis, Stremikis, Squires & Schoen, 2014). Healthy lives measured by mortality amenable to health care (deaths prevented with timely and effective care), healthy life expectancy and infant mortality, illustrates that a country is ensuring individuals live long and flourishing lives (Davis, Stremikis, Squires & Schoen, 2014). Healthy People 2020 which was launched

When looking at the British society, mental health disorders are actually extremely common. When viewing the National Statistics, it stated that about one in six adults will have a mental health problem. Leading to an additional study, stating that around 30 individuals out of every 100 will

The 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing Results revealed that at some stage in their lives, up to 45% of Australians will experience a mental illness, with 20% of the Australians surveyed in the 16-85 age group having experienced a mental illness within the 12 months preceding the survey

Mental health problems are considered to “interfere with how a person thinks, feels and behaves” (Australian Government Department of Health, 2007, para. 3). Considered to be more prominent, yet less severe than mental illnesses, mental health problems are experienced for

Progression through these eras resulted in the improvement of health strategies and interventions, allowing for the United States to be proactive in their preparation efforts of disease, rather than reactive to the imminent threat to human health and safety. The 20th century was the single most advancing era of public health in history, changing not only the world of medicine as we know it, but changing public perception of the world they live in .

According to (WHO, 1946) ‘good health is a state of physical, social and mental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Many factors such as housing, environment and poverty can contribute to one’s health.