FQ4: What actions are needed to address Australia’s health priorities?

Question 1

• The benefits of partnerships in health promotion e.g. govt. sector, non-govt. agencies + the local community

–> Argue the benefits of health promotion based on:
Individuals, communities + governments working in partnership

Answer 1

• increases the potential effectiveness of a strategy –> intersectoral collaboration
• wide range of resources can be combined (info, funds, research, staff + connections)
• avoid duplication = more efficient + comprehensive resources can be dispersed across multiple action areas (increase access to resources) → helps improve evidence-based HP = demands more thoroughly addressed
• increased capacity to effectively address complex health issues (addresses needs of indiv + comm)
• emphasises the importance of creating empowering environments
• empowers individuals + communities to be involved in planning + delivery of HP + programs specific to area = effectiveness e.g. ATSI contributing to ‘Close the Gap’ –> through input able to tailor/ review initative so is effective and empowers indiv to make healthy choices
  E.g. ‘The Department of Health + Ageing is funding a unique partnership between the Aus Local Govt. Assoc, National Heart Foundation of Aus + Planning Institute of Aus who are working together to develop Healthy Spaces + Places.’ –> allows comprehensive HP of SE as resources are shared in the development of infrastructure –> empowerment for individuals to improve health outcomes

Question 2

• Ottawa charter in action

→ importance of Ottawa Charter through a health promotion initiative (NTS)

Answer 2

NTS
- aims to improve health status of Australians by decreasing prevalence of smoking + other related issues
- DPS: involves developing an individual’s capacity to make informed health choices through increasing knowledge, skills + health literacy
→ NTS - compulsory study of PDHPE syllabus in K-10 = educate on risk factors of lung cancer e.g. smoking + protective factors - important in decreasing risk behaviours + prevalence through health literacy
- BHPP: development of legislation + policy that promotes health + encourages healthy choices
→ NTS - taxes on cigs (more expensive + reducing smoking rates), smoking laws (parks, age restrictions, ads bans) - make health promoting choices
- RHS: shift from curative + clinical treatments to focus on HP + prevention
→ NTS - quit smoking prescription pads in GP offices - promote conversations around smoking, helped to train caregivers in giving strong anti-smoking messages - prevent smoking + encourage HP behaviours

Question 3

Health promotion based on the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter

Answer 3

• DPS: building an individual’s capacity to make informed decisions through the development of skills, knowledge + health literacy
• BHPP: development of legislation + policy that promotes health + encourages healthy choices
• RHS: shift from curative + clinical treatments to focus on HP + prevention
• CSE: creating environments that increase an individual’s ability to make health promoting choices
• SCA: involvement of community in setting priorities, making decisions, planning + implementing strategies to empower individuals to achieve better health

Question 4

• five action areas of the Ottawa charter addressing principles of social justice

Answer 4

• equity, diversity + SE = essential foundation for HP + strongly addressed in OC
• DPS: building healthy skills + literacy = empowered + enabled to make informed health choices
  → equity = fair access + treatment to education + info required to make informed choices e.g. PDHPE syllabus, online uni courses for R&R e.g. on risk behaviours, health brochures in multiple languages = diversity for DPS
• CSE: increases chance of making changes to benefit health
  → SE = encourages healthy choices e.g. maintenance + development of quality parks for outdoor activities
• BHPP: decisions + policies made by govt that work towards health improvements
  → Diversity = development of cultural initiatives e.g. Close the Gap - reduce health inequity for ATSI
• RHS: shift from curative to preventative approaches
  → SE = focus on priority areas e.g. development of mental HP + services in R+R areas focusing on reducing inequity by creating env. where health services are easily accessible
• SCA: increases community empowerment + involvement in healthy living
  → equity = actively involving community e.g. ATSI involvement in community decision making

Question 5

Levels of responsibility for HP

Answer 5

Indiv:
DPS: seek to develop their own skills - empowers healthy choices e.g. research, act on advice from GP’s
RHS: seek to make healthy life choices + helping others to do the same e.g. quitting smoking, advice from GP’s
SCA: promote and participate in community activities that promote health e.g. park fun runs
BHPP: act in accordance w/ the policies developed e.g. not smoking in public
CSE: Making better health choices so that whole community can benefit e.g. putting rubbish in bin
Comm:
DPS: run edu and training programs to develop personal skills e.g. Quitline helpline for smoking
RHS: conduct research and be involved in the promotion of health e.g. Cancer Council’s research about cancer / also promotes better health choices
SCA: contribute to and take ownership of policies; being empowered to act and implement them e.g. ATSI comm controlled health services
BHPP: contribute towards the development of policies + involved in carrying out policies e.g. ATSI involvement in ‘close the gap’
CSE: help maintain healthy envs and promote healthy behaviours e.g. maintain parks / fields, fun runs
Govt:
DPS: develop policies and provide funding towards developing personal skills e.g. K-10 compulsory PDHPE
RHS: fund, research and create policies around prevention and HP → look at all determinants not just curative services e.g. tv ads, funding immunisation
SCA: engage w/ community groups in the creation of policies e.g. allowing feedback from communities on policies before signing them
BHPP: all levels of govt are responsible for the creation and maintenance of policies that aim to improve health e.g. close the gap statement of intent
CSE: responsible for the planning, implementation and management of infrastructure e.g. location of hosp, parks, community centres