High levels of preventable chronic disease, injury and mental health problems are part of Australia’s health priorities and the target of many health promotion campaigns. Chronic disease is Australia’s most pressing health priority. Most are caused by lifestyle choices and can be prevented or delayed by simple adjustments to people’s life choices.
Chronic diseases have a very high disease burden and their preventative nature and high prevalence makes them a key priority issue for Australia’s health. Other health priorities such as injury also have potential to be prevented, particularly in relation to transport and work related injuries. Mental health is also a priority issue for Australia’s health with a growing burden of disease across Australia.
Syllabus
Students learn about:
- high levels of preventable chronic disease, injury and mental health problems
Students learn to:
- research and analyse CVD, cancer and ONE other condition listed by investigating:
- the nature of the problem
- extent of the problem (trends)
- risk factors and protective factors
- the sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental determinants
- groups at risk
Past HSC PDHPE Exam Questions
2011 Question 21
(a) Outline strategies that reduce the risk of skin cancer. 3 Marks
(b) Breast cancer and lung cancer are two common cancers in Australia. What are the determinants of these cancers and why do they put some groups more at risk than the general population? 7 Marks
2014 Question 21
Outline TWO groups most at risk of cardiovascular disease in Australia. 3 Marks
2017 Question 22
Explain both the risk factors and the protective factors of cardiovascular disease. 5 marks
2018 Question 21
Outline, using an example, how ‘building healthy public policy’ has been applied to the prevention of lung cancer. 3 marks
2018 Question 22
Describe the determinants of health that affect a preventable condition in Australia OTHER THAN cancer or cardiovascular disease. Use examples to support your answer. 4 Marks
2019 Question 25
Explain why cancer continues to be identified as a priority health issue in Australia. Use examples to support your answer. 7 Marks
2021 Question 21
(a) Outline TWO types of cardiovascular disease in Australia. 3 Marks
(b) Explain how TWO protective factors can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 4 Marks
2022 Question 24
Select ONE of the following conditions to answer BOTH parts (a) and (b) of this question.
- Diabetes
- Respiratory disease
- Injury
- Mental health problems and illnesses
(a) Outline the extent of this condition in Australia. 3 marks
(b) Explain how sociocultural determinants affect ONE group at risk of this condition. 4 marks
2022 Question 25
Organisations suggest that governments should increase the funding for early intervention and prevention strategies for cancer. Analyse the effects this increased funding would have on Australia’s future health care expenditure. Provide examples to support your answer. 8 marks