The Governments plan is to raise awareness throughout the country about these fairly common illnesses amongst Australians and identify these key health areas. Cardiovascular health! * Cardiovascular health relates to the health standard of the heart and blood vessels, and also major organs that need sufficient blood supply. The National Healthy Priorities of Australia are focusing on the maintenance of cardiovascular health and prevention. * Why is Cardiovascular health an issue? Cardiovascular health is a problem throughout Australia, because it is the most common cause of premature death.
Cardiovascular health issues that cause premature death have declined it is still one of the biggest health risks that needs attention throughout the country. * The major Cardiovascular diseases are as follows: * Coronary heart disease- Strokes * Heart failure- Peripheral vascular disease * Strategies, groups, organisations that provide assistance and promote health: – National Heart Foundation -http://www. heartfoundation. org. au/Pages/default. aspx – Hotline: 1300 36 27 87 Cancer! -Cancer is unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumours, and invade nearby parts of the body.
The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body bloodstream, and can have devastating effects on the human body which in many cases results in a slow and very pain full death. -Why is Cancer an issue? Cancer was made a National Health Priority in the late 90’s because of its devastating effects on everyday Australians and because of its major impact on the community. Statistics: 108,368 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia in 2007, 57% of the newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2007 were in males. The risk of being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 75 years is 1 in 3 for males and 1 in 4 for females.
Examples of the health issue are: Growths on the skin, Continuous severe pain to a specific place or throughout your body, and abnormal lumps coming off your body from the inside (tumours). Risk factors: You will have a higher risk if you have previous family members with cancer. It’s unknown how the majority of cancers start, but skin cancer mostly forms from too much direct sunlight. -Organization that helps: Cancer Council Australia. -http://www. cancer. org. au/ – Cancer Council Hotline: 13 11 20 Mental Health! -The impact of mental illness within the Australian population has become increasingly apparent.
A survey found that an estimated 3. 2 million had a mental disorder in the twelve months prior to the survey. -Having a mental health is an issue because the amount having a mental disorder is increasing, and we don’t want this number to be increasing. Plus people that suffer from a mental illness get bullied and picked on which results in more and more stress added to their parents. Study indicated that mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in Australia, accounting for an estimated 24% of the total years lost due to disability. – Examples of mental disorders: – Anxiety disorders – Mood disorders.
– Psychotic disorders – Eating disorders, etc. – Certain factors may increase your risk of developing mental health problems, including: Experiences in the womb — for example, having a mother who was exposed to viruses, toxins, drugs or alcohol during pregnancy.
Also use of illegal drugs, Being abused or neglected as a child, Having few friends or few healthy relationships and many other key factors contribute. – Mental Health Council Of Australia is one of the many organisations throughout Australia that can help anyone and everyone with a mental disorder. – http://www. mhca. org. au/ – Phone: (02) 6285 3100.
Diabetes: -Diabetes is a chronic condition. This means that it lasts for a long time, often for someone’s whole life. For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. – Diabetes is a national health issue because it is a major problem that significantly affects the health of Australians, and it’s so common. Around 4% of Australians have it and convert that to numbers it’s around 900 000 people.
1 in 20 pregnancies are affected by it. So it’s a pretty big problem. – You have a higher risk of getting diabetes if your: – Not as active – More overweight – Eating fatty salty, sugary foods. -It is in your family tree or when someone in your family has diabetes. -You had diabetes when pregnant. – An organisation that helps with diabetes is: Diabetes Australia. – Info line: 1300 136 588 – Website: http://www. diabetesaustralia. com. au Asthma: -People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When they are exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it harder for them to breathe.
– It’s a national health issue because asthma affects over two million Australians, and it can start at any age, though it is more common in children. Asthma can even cause death. – There is only one type of asthma and it can affect anyone. – Organisations that help with asthma: Asthma Foundation. -Hotline: 1800 645 130 -Website: http://www. asthmafoundation. org. au/ Arthritis: * Arthritis-related problems include pain, stiffness, inflammation and damage to joint cartilage (the tissue that covers the ends of bones, enabling them to move against each another) and surrounding structures.
This can result in joint weakness, instability and deformities that can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, driving a car and preparing food. * It’s a national health issue because arthritis is the most major cause of disability and chronic pain in Australia, with 3. 85million Australians affected at a cost to our economy of more than $23. 9 billion each year in medical care and indirect costs. Current trends suggest that, by 2050, 7 million Australians will suffer from some form of arthritis. – Risk factors include: – If it’s in your family history. – Your risk increases with age. – Previous joint injuries and obesity.
* Organisation that helps with arthritis: Arthritis Victoria. – Phone: 1800 011 041 – Website: http://www. arthritisvic. org. au Obesity: -Obesity is more than average body fat. Throughout the world there are obese people everywhere. -It’s a national health priority because: obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and some cancers. As the level of excess weight increases, so does the risk of developing these conditions. In addition, being overweight can hamper the ability to control or manage chronic disorders. 3 in 5 Australian Adults are obese, or over 12 000 000.
– Risks of obesity: -Little or no fitness activity. – Unhealthy diet. -Organisation that help with obesity: Childhood Obesity Foundation.
– Phone: 604 251 2229 -Website: http://www. childhoodobesityfoundation. ca Injury prevention and control: – Injury prevention and control is aimed at stopping everyday Australians taking risks causing injury, workplace injury etc. Injury has a major, but often preventable, impact on Australia’s health. It affects Australians of all ages, is the greatest cause of death in the first half of life, and leaves many with serious disability or long-term conditions – Why is it a nation health priority?
: Because injury to young Australians, particularly teenagers is one of the most common causes of premature death. It also results in the large chunk of mental disorders and disabilities. In 2010, injury was estimated to account for 6. 5% of the total deaths. Each year about 400,000 people suffer an injury severe enough to be admitted to a hospital. – Examples: -Crashing your car – Sports injuries – Violent gang attacks – Severe burns. – Head and brain injuries. Organisations that help with this: Worksafe Victoria. – Website: http://www. worksafe. vic. gov. au/ -Phone: 1800 136 089.