Health Issues and Their Effects on the Population and Health System in Australia - Case Study Example

Health issues and their effects on the population and health system in Australia Introduction Healthcare issue is a major concern that any nation or society aspiring to fully develop its human resource capital must give top priority. This essay explores the healthcare issues affecting the Australian society with specific reference to asthma and cancer in addition to effects this health issues have on their health system as well as the available community health promotional strategies that have been used to deal with emerging health challenges. The proper application of healthcare strategies can enable any society to cast away fear of certain illnesses that affect them and the social, economic and personal cost for treatment will be cut down and there shall be general development in all the sectors of the economy. Cancer Cancer, like most other diseases that can be defined, is the disease of the body cells (Mercer, 2000). Here, the cells of the body uncontrollably reproduce themselves and sometimes end up growing into lumps. A lump would be referred to as a tumor which can be made up of cells having cancer thereby making the tumor to be called a malignant tumor. Benign tumor is unlike the malignant that spreads to the other parts of the body. It affects only the area it first developed. Malignant tumors may grow in other parts of the body forming after spreading to form secondary cancer also known as metastasis. Skin cancer, bowel cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer are but a few examples of types of cancer (Mercer, 2000). Cancer is caused by factors but the most common causes of cancer include viruses, bacterial infections, environmental factors like the sun and another cause would be if an individual has a weak immune system. Prevalence The prevalence of cancer has been of great concern to both the population and the health authorities in terms of social, economic and personal costs. In 2005, over a hundred thousand new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia and this number has been projected to be growing each year by three thousand people. It is prevalent in all the both the young and the old in Australia with the most affected people being the males of 55 years and above and worsening for women at age 84.Generally,the women are more affected than men. It is a major source of morbidity and mortality with over 80,000 new cancer cases and over 33000 deaths due to cancer (Braithwaite et al 2009). Risky groups in cancer development Individuals who are at risk vary depending on the type of cancer. Some types of cancer can be found on anyone whether young or old. For instance, skin cancer affects all age groups. However, the risk is greater in the older people, to those who have melanoma in them or in the history of their family, to those immune-suppressed, to those with light skin, and to those who are exposed to ultra violet radiations (UVR). Children and outdoor workers are examples of risk groups. When it comes to breast cancer, the absolute risk of developing it is lower in young women than in old women. The chances of getting breast cancer increases with age (Braithwaite et al 2009). Another risk would come from inheritance of particular genes by the women from their families. The gene is referred to as BRCA1 or also called BRCA2 which is an inherited mutation with an assurance of cancer to over 46% of women if they live to 80 years old. Also, women who take alcohol are more likely to get breast cancer. These and many others indicate that each type of has a risk group that it affects. A number of factors may trigger cancer in our bodies and these factors taken care of or avoided could lead to an individual living free from cancer. To begin with, smocking triggers the symptoms of the deadly lung cancer. An individual who smokes should cease from it and those who haven’t started not to even star.The other triggers to be aware of include; too much uptake of sugar and salt, less exercise and proper balanced diet, intake of too much animal fat and getting more exposed to the sun. Cancer is preventable and can be managed by observing keenly a number of issues. First, cut out smoking. Secondly, stay away from the sun (Mercer, 2000). There are a number of ways a person can do that and they include; wearing abroad hat, seeking a shade, wearing protective clothing like long sleeved shirts or clothes with darker colors, wear sunglasses and apply sunscreens. Thirdly, have healthy eating habits. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Source: National Cancer Security Clearing House; AIHW interactive cancer data cube Morbidity and mortality Of the types of cancer, the major ones causing great deaths include pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostrate cancer and the deadliest being lung cancer. Even though there has been screening programs for cancer that has brought reduction in the death rates and improved chances for survival, death rate due to cancer has been above 800 people yearly since 2005 (Braithwaite et al 2009).These statistics together with those of deaths of up to above 39,000 deaths since 2005 in Australia greatly shows the impact this disease has on the population and the health system. The health care system dealing with cancer is both in private and government institutions in Australia. Medicare, the government health system works together with the private to manage issues concerning cancer. Over 700,000 diagnoses and about 10 % of some separations that were cancer related were done and experienced in the year 2004-05.From 2001-05 separations that are cancer related increased by 4.5%.Other similar separations included that for prostate cancer 15.1%, 2.9% for colorectal cancer and so on. Cancer treatment is costly and the government and the public bear the full weight of this cost (Braithwaite et al 2009). Other than taxes and insurances which cover about 1.5%, the government has to spend 8.8% on health system. Other than this, an individual needs to plan for that treatment, buy drugs and pay for treatment sessions. Health care system therefore takes about 67% of government expenditure. Asthma Asthma is a chronic obtrusive condition or a disorder that causes the swelling of the airways resulting into shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness of the chest and even coughing. It has its source from genetic and environmental factors. Prevalence In 1999, Asthma became a cause of concern for the government and the population of Australia. It was then declared in the same year the Sixth National Health Priority Area. In 1995, 2 million people in Australia had asthma (Funnell et al, 2009). This equals 13% of the population in Australia. This in an increase from the earlier 8.5 % that was observed in 1989-90.This cannot be linked to the old or aging people as during this time ,prevalence was observed to have heightened in people of 25 years and below. Morbidity and Mortality A number of deaths have been witnessed with the number soaring to 454.The underlying cause has been asthma and the status asthmaticus accounting for about 4% of mortality that year. The number of females dead due to asthma exceeds that of men by one third (Funnell et al, 2009). The good news though is that mortality rate has reduced by 57%.The burden of asthma as a disease is measured using Disability adjusted Life Year (DALY) and one DALY equals one Lost year of healthy life.2.6% the total DALY of the Australian population in 1996. Asthma became the sixth most controlled problem by medical practitioners’ in1998-99 with 2.2% management of the problems managed or 32 per 1000 encounters managed.In 1998-99, asthma became one of the main reasons for referrals in modern hospitals .(Talbot , 2010). Asthma had been in the two preceding years been the most diagnosed in 60,280 hospital separations and which when added to additional diagnosis amounts to 251,472 or 4.52 of total hospital separations. Asthma takes 40% of total expenditure. To the community, treatment burden is higher in terms of cost. Back in1993-94, the health system expenditure was about $ 438 million. Inhaled allergens are casual factors that affects the air way and causes the onset of cancer. Other contributing factors include air pollution, tobacco smoking, viral respiratory infections, parasitic infection and diet and small size at birth (Funnell et al, 2009). This may improve the chances of getting asthma. When it comes to predisposing factors, atopy, a tendency by an individual to produce IgE antibodies in abnormal amounts because of being exposed to allergens in the environment is the strongest reason for getting asthma. In summing up, it is pertinent to reiterate that both asthma and cancer can be managed. In the case of asthma, it can be managed by taking assessing the severity of the infection, using of inhaler devices, avoiding exposure to trigger factors like allergens, using medication and visiting a medical practitioner for plan and treatment. A cancer patient can plan for hospital visits, go through scanning and seek for drugs and medical care. References Braithwaite, R. L., Taylor,S. E. & Treadwel, H. M. (2009). Health Issues in the Black Community, Danvers: Jossey-Bass. Funnell, R, Koutoukidis,G & Lawrence, K. (2009). Tabbner's Nursing Care: Theory and Practice, Luisa Cecotti: Elsevier. Mercer, D. C. (2000). A question of balance: natural resources conflict issues in Australia, Annandale: Federation Press.  Talbot, L. & Verrinder, G.(2010). Promoting Health: The Primary Health Care Approach, Elsevier: Luisa Cecotti.   Read More