This core module examines Australia’s health care system and the health status of Australians, investigating, in-depth, the current health priority issues for Australians. Health Priorities in Australia looks at how health can be promoted by personal and community action and by policies and services at all levels of responsibility. The module introduces concepts of health inequities in Australia that are further explored in the options module Equity and Health and the Health of Young People. The module is built around 4 critical questions.

1. How are priority issues for Australia’s health identified?

This critical question begins by introducing epidemiology and its use to identify the priority issues for Australia’s health. This includes asking questions such as, what are the limitations of epidemiology? and what role do the principles of social justice play? During this critical question you will also get to look at current graphs, charts, and data related to the health of Australians.

2. What are the priority issues for improving Australia’s health?

This critical question looks at the actual health priority issues in Australia. These include looking at groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, who suffer from developing world health statistics, as well as major diseases or health conditions in Australia. This critical question also looks at major health concerns such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

3. What role do health care facilities and services play in achieving better health for all Australians?

This critical question covers information such as the range and types of health care facilities and services available in Australia. You are required to consider issues such as the equity of access to this health care as well as describing the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare. The rise of alternative and complementary medicine is also explored.

4. What actions are needed to address Australia’s health priorities?

The final topic in Health Priorities in Australia looks at the application of the Ottawa Charter for health promotion in Australia. You will need to examine particular health promotion initiatives and relate them to the principals of social justice as well as the Ottawa Charter.