NHPA’s Key Knowledge

NHPA’s The National Health Priority Areas initiative was developed in 1996 for the purpose of reducing the burden of disease in Australia. The conditions chosen account for a significant proportion of the overall burden of disease and allow government and non government organisations and the private sector to direct resources towards reducing the impact they have on society.

Selection of NHPA’s Contribute significantly to burden of disease There is potential for significant room for improvement(largely preventable) The financial costs associated with them They impact significantly on disadvantaged groups so health inequalities can be addressed

You need to know Description of each All the conditions Determinants Why it was chosen One Health promotion program for each Direct, indirect and intangible costs to individuals and communities

NHPA costs Direct Indirect Intangible To individual and the community

Direct- those associated with preventing the disease Costs include all those associated with developing and implementing health promotion strategies, diagnosis, management and treatment of the condition These are the dollar costs. $$$$$$$$$$$ Individual Ambulance, medicare co-payments, medication, diagnostic tests, doctor’s fees Community Health promotion programs, Medicare costs, PBS costs, Payouts by private health insurance

Costs to the Individual Individual- those paid by the ill person or family: Ambulance transport Diagnostic tests such as sight, hearing, blood tests, dental Xrays Doctor’s/ Specialist consultation fees

Direct Costs to the Community Community – costs associated with implementing health promotion strategies and diagnosing and treating conditions but which are paid for by the community These costs are usually paid for through Medicare, PBS and or private health providers. Doctors, specialist fees, operation of public and private hospitals,eg wages and implementation of health promotion programs. Payouts by private health insurance

Indirect – not directly related to the diagnosis or treatment of the disease but occur as a result of the person having the disease Individual Loss of income Employing someone to do household tasks, eg mowing lawns Paying for a housekeeper Transport Costs if if the person can no longer drive

Indirect Costs - Community Loss of productivity- businesses may lose employees social security/welfare/disability payments, lost taxation revenue, unable to contribute to the country

Health Promotion Programs Government and non government with agencies respond to the NHPAS by implementing programs and strategies. This helps to reduce the burden of disease Reduce the costs associated with the conditions to the individual and the community Strategies to improve health

Health Promotion The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health.Health promotion strategies aim to encourage behaviour changes before diseases become a problem. It is seen as a great way to encourage people to make behaviour changes before they become a problem. Education is a great way to do this as it educates people to make positive changes.

Intangible- difficult to put a value on Individual Pain and suffering, anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, loss of self esteem Community Loss of participation in social activities, volunteers, coaches, grief experienced by community members.

Intangible Costs Community Loss of participation in social activities promoting well being, knowledge and resources in the community. Emotional impacts. Family and friends, work colleagues that experience grief in the case of the death of an individual. Experience of community stress and concern of a community member when they are ill

Exam Questions 1. Identify two reasons for cardiovascular health being included in the NHPAs. Identify one direct, indirect and intangible cost to an individual with lung cancer. Identify one direct, indirect and intangible cost to the community of arthritis.

Homework Test Your Knowledge Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7a, b.