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:

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