Pdhpe_Task_2

Timothy Riddell PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSESMENT TASK 2 HSC COURSE 2011 ‘Health Priorities in Australia’ Diabetes and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged people 1. Select ONE health condition from diabetes, respiratory disease, injury or mental health problems and illnesses. -NATURE- Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) has three forms. ‘Type 1’ (inherited or, insulin dependent), ‘Type 2’ (caused from poor diet, non-insulin dependent) and ‘Gestational’ (caused from hormonal in-balance during pregnancy). When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals and sweets etc., it can’t be converted into energy.  Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood. This is why blood glucose levels are higher in people with diabetes. Your blood glucose level (BGL) is called glycaemia. Diabetes is a major health concern because of significant complications that include increased risk of heart disease and stroke, blindness, and erectile dysfunction in men. TYPE 1 DIABETES The cause of Type 1 diabetes is still not understood, but scientists do know it has a strong family link and cannot be prevented. Scientists also know it is not related to lifestyle, although maintaining a healthy lifestyle is imperative in helping manage this form of diabetes. Some symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes include: • Being excessively thirsty • Passing more urine • Feeling Dizzy • Leg Cramps While there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, the disease can be successfully managed through sustaining a healthy lifestyle, regular blood glucose testing and insulin. TYPE 2 DIABETES -NATURE- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all diabetes sufferers. It results from the inadequate production of insulin to support your body’s needs. Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed by routine blood tests and there is often to typical symptoms. Although when the BGL increases symptoms include excessive thirst, weakness and fatigue. Type 2 diabetes is related with lifestyle factors such has high blood pressure, overweight or obesity, inadequate physical activity and a poor diet GESTATIONAL DIABETES -NATURE- Gestational diabetes (Gestational diabetes mellitus) is diagnosed when higher than normal BGL are noticed usually during that 24th – 28th week of pregnancy. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life. -EXTENT OF DIABETES- There are an estimated 194 million people around the world with diabetes. This figure is expected to double by 2025 to 338 million. That is 1 in 17 people In 2007, 987 new cases of type 1 diabetes were recorded in children under 15. This equates to 1 in every 4000 children and a 30% increase in the rate of new cases from 2000. Type 1 Diabetes accounts for 10-15% of cases. Type 1 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in Northern European youth. The reason for this is still undetermined. Diabetes is the sixth highest cause of death by disease in Australia. Mortality rates have remained unchanged. -RISK FACTORS AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS Risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes include: • A family history • Genetics Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes include: • Family History • Over 55 • Over 45 and overweight • Over 35 and come from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background • Previous Gestational Diabetes Protective factors for Type 1 Diabetes include: • No family history Protective factors Type 2 diabetes include: • Healthy weight • Healthy food choices • Not smoking. -SOCIOCULTURAL, SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENT DETERMINANTS- The increased incidence of Type 2 diabetes is linked to factors, such as socio-economic status. Education, employment status and occupation, income and wealth impact on the prevalence of diabetes. In Australia, socio-economically disadvantaged people are less likely to engage in physical activity, are more likely to consume large amounts of alcohol, are more likely to be obese, and, are more likely to have diets high in saturated fats. These are all risk factors for diabetes. In terms of cultural background, significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes are found amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. They are three times more likely to get Type 2. This may be due to the issues of lack of access to education and medical care. An ageing population has also contributed to an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes. As the Australian population ages, the most rapid growth in diabetes will occur in the age group of 45 years and over. -GROUPS AT RISK- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are at a high risk of type 2 diabetes. Also, people who are overweight, have an unhealthy lifestyle, have a family history. In addition, people who are from the Pacific Island region, the Indian sub-continent or Chinese background. 2. Select one group experiencing inequities. Research and analyse this group experiencing inequities. PEOPLE IN RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS The definition of ‘rural and remote according to ‘HSC Online-People in rural and remote areas’ is, ‘ all those areas outside major cities’ -NATURE AND EXTENT- Some people living in rural and remote areas experience significant socioeconomic disadvantage, particularly poor living conditions and low levels of employment. The also may experience social and physical isolation. This is relative on how distant they are from metropolitan area. Likewise, specific occupational hazards are incurred due to rural settings, such as use of heavy machinery. Furthermore, people living in rural and remote areas have limited access to both health services and health professionals, including doctors, nurses, specialists and pharmacists. People living in rural and remote areas: -are more likely to smoke and binge drink and be overweight -are more likely to have lower levels of education -have a lower life expectancy -have higher death rates for injury (e.g. MVA and suicide) -Poorer dental health -SOCIOCULTURAL, SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS- |Sociocultural |Socioeconomic |Environmental | |Feelings of helplessness and despair when there |Often have a lower income |More hazardous occupations | |is a lack of opportunities to utilise. |Fewer employment opportunities |Lack of access to health services | | |Fewer educational opportunities (e.g. tertiary |Poorer overall living conditions due to harsher | | |education) |environment | | | |Less access to basic necessities. | -THE ROLES OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES, AND GOVERM=NMENTS IN ADDRESSING THE HEALTH INEQUTIES- Governments The ‘Rural Health Priority Taskforce’ provides advice to the NSW Government about improving health services to people in rural and remote areas. Their priorities are: • Attract and retain health professionals in rural and remote areas • Provide sustainable quality health services • Make health services more accessible to people in rural and remote areas. Communities and Individuals Multipurpose services running in rural and remote communities, aim to better integrate services, better match services to community needs and share resources. Also, rural Australians generally have higher levels of social cohesiveness, for example, higher rates of participation in volunteer work and feelings of safety in their community. http://ezinearticles.com/'The-Nature-of-Diabetes&id=1703016 http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/Understanding-Diabetes/What-is-Diabetes/ http://www.hsc.csu.edu.au/pdhpe/core1/focus/focus1_2/4004/1-2-2/health_pri1_2_2_3.htm http://www.aihw.gov.au/diabetes-mellitus-health-priority-area/ http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/default.asp'documentid=503 http://academicwritingtips.org/component/k2/item/407-social-inequalities-affecting-rural-and-remote-communities-in-australia.html