SENIOR PDHPE

HEALTH PRIORITIES IN AUSTRALIA

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

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AUSTRALIA’S HEALTH PRIORITIES

The current AIHW report, Australia’s Health, identifies nine major categories as priority areas for action. These areas are

Cancer

Cardiovascular disease

Diabetes

Mental health

Dementia

Respiratory diseases

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions

Injury

Obesity

In this section you will learn about six of these priority areas for action and the problems they cause.

1. CANCER

Cancer refers to a range of diseases characterised by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells. These defective cells can also spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body and cause further damage. Cancer is a leading cause of premature death and at current rates one in three men and one in four women in Australia will develop cancer in their lifetime.

Describe the appearance and disease changes evident in this specimen.

Nature of the disease

Trends (occurrence)

Risk factors

Select one priority cancer to investigate by viewing relevant specimens and associated information (Circle your selection)

Lung Cancer 722.8

Breast Cancer 350.20

Prostate Cancer 512.18

Find a specimen, photo or diagram of the disease you have studied above to observe and complete this section

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SKIN CANCER

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. More than 2000 Australians died from skin cancer

in 2011 and ⅔ of Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70. There are several types of skin cancer, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and melanoma. Of these skin cancers, malignant melanoma is the most serious and its incidence rate in Australia continues to rise.

Identify changes of the skin that can be seen due to this disease.

List the major risk factors associated with the cause of this disease.

Describe some strategies that are being used to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Australia.

The most dangerous aspect of melanoma is its ability, in later stages, to spread (or metastasise) to other parts of the body. Early detection is crucial in minimising this from occurring.

around Bay 5. Can you see any specimens that have been affected by metastatic melanoma? Make a list of these organs that skin cancer has spread to:

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Raising Disease Awareness Can you identify the coloured ribbon used to raise awareness of each of the different listed diseases? You will find this game and its answers on the pillar near the front of the museum.

CASE STUDY: MELANOMA 2995.5

METASTATIC MELANOMA

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2. CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Cardiovascular disease is a general term that refers to diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Although death rates for CVD are declining it remains a leading cause of death in Australia. The process of atherosclerosis is the most common underlying cause of CVD and can ultimately lead to strokes, heart attacks, angina, heart failure and peripheral vascular disease. Find the “Atherosclerosis” poster to help with this section.

What is atherosclerosis? How does it affect blood flow around the body?

Draw a labelled diagram showing plaque formation in an artery:

List the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE COMPLICATIONS The restriction of blood flow or complete occlusion of a blood vessel can lead to a wide range of problems. There are many examples of cardiovascular disease and its complications in the museum.

Find the following specimens and identify the CVD complication that has occurred to these parts of the body

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3. DIABETES

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. In recent times, its prevalence has risen dramatically in Australia and around the world. If left undiagnosed or poorly controlled it can lead to a range of serious complications as you will discover below.

Find the “Understanding Type 1 and 2 Diabetes” posters to help with this section.

Complete the table below explaining the difference between the two most common types of diabetes

Type of diabetes Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes

Nature of the problem (cause)

Risk factors

Complete the boxes on the following diagram to explain some of the possible complications of diabetes.

The incidence of diabetes is rising dramatically in Australia and around the world. Between 1989-90 and 2004-05, the proportion of people with diagnosed diabetes in Australia more than doubled from 1.3% - 3.3%. What factors do you think might be contributing to the increased prevalence of diabetes?

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4. RESPIRATORY DISEASE

Respiratory disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes a range of diseases that destroy lung tissue and air passages, obstruct oxygen intake and lead to chronic shortness of breath and death. The most common is emphysema.

EMPHYSEMA Emphysema is characterised by permanent enlargement of the airspaces in the lungs due to the destruction of bronchiole and alveoli walls.

Describe the changes that have occurred in Specimen 156.9 due to emphysema. What symptoms will this cause for the patient?

ASTHMA Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world (10.2%) and approximately 60,000 Australians are admitted to hospital annually due to asthma.

Investigate asthma by viewing the following specimens and posters

Asthma Asthma 1872.9

Nature of the problem (cause)

Groups at risk

Describe the appearance and disease changes evident in this specimen.

Find a specimen, photo or diagram of the disease you have studied above to observe and complete this section

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5. INJURY

Injuries are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia and can have both short and long term consequences on individuals and the community. Intentional self-harm (26%), transport injury (21%) and falls (20%) are the most common forms of injury. Injury has been identified as a health priority area because it can affect all age groups and is often preventable.

Are any of these injuries caused by risk taking behaviours? Explain. What types of health promotion strategies have contributed to the reduction in transport related injuries?

Specimen Cause/s

TITLE:

2520.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

2578.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

2583.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

2364.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

2419.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

3028.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

TITLE:

2580.16 Sport Poisoning Motor Vehicle Accident

Alcohol Self-harm Other

For each specimen number listed here, write in the name of the specimen and then (using information in the catalogue) identify links between the injuries and their cause. (You may circle more than one selection for each)

specimen)

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6. OBESITY

Excess weight, especially obesity, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and cancers. As the level of excess weight increases, so does the risk of developing these conditions. In addition, being overweight can hamper the ability to control or manage chronic disorders.

3 in 5 adults are overweight or obese (based on BMI)

1 in 4 Australian children are overweight or obese.

Find the “Obesity” display to help with this section.

Compare features of a “normal” liver to the “fatty” liver

How does this occur?

List the major risk factors associated with the cause of this disease.

Look at the display of fats, sugars and salts in common foods. Record some interesting data about foods shown in this display.

Recommended daily intake (adults): Fat = 70g Salt = 2,300mg Sugar = 90g

CASE STUDY: Liver: Fatty Change 1096.24

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EPIDEMIOLOGY

Look at the “Effects of Smoking on the Body” display.

What is epidemiology?

How is it used?

What can epidemiology tell us about the link between smoking and lung cancer?

CASE STUDY: SMOKING

Complete the following information using the “Smoking through the ages” display

During the last century the rate of smoking rose dramatically through advertisements and promotions by tobacco companies. However, a greater understanding of the serious health consequences of smoking from around 1950 has led to increased regulation of the sale and advertising of tobacco products and the introduction of graphic anti-smoking public health campaigns.

Use 2 examples from the timeline to show how perspectives towards cigarette smoking have changed.

HEALTH PROMOTION APPROACHES AND STRATEGIES

Look at the “Smoking and Epidemiology of lung cancer” display. An impressive amount of epidemiological data incriminates cigarette smoking with various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, emphysema and lung cancer. Statistically about 90% of lung cancers occur in active smokers who stopped recently.

What is epidemiology? How is epidemiology used? How did epidemiology help identify the cause and effect relationship between smoking and lung cancer?

Health promotion has led to considerable improvements and advances in the health of Australians. Around the museum you will find a number of health promotion initiatives from the past century. List some examples of these initiatives below:

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SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF DISEASE

Many diseases in the Museum are related to the lifestyle of the individual. Lifestyle risk factors such as obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption are also referred to as environmental determinants. In this section you are required to identify the links between these determinants and various specimens and diseases in the Museum. In most cases, various factors will combine to increase an individual’s disease risk.

Find each specimen and related information and draw links to the appropriate environmental determinant/s

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RISK TAKING IN YOUNG PEOPLE

The health and wellbeing of young people is an important issue because it shapes the future health of the whole population. Alcohol and drug abuse are two areas of concern amongst young people. Choose either Drug or Alcohol Abuse to complete the following information. (circle your selection)

The Consequences of Drug Abuse (poster)

The Consequences of Alcohol Abuse (poster)

List 5 consequences of drug/alcohol abuse:

What effect does using drugs/alcohol during pregnancy have on an unborn foetus?

Answers: 1)h, 2)g, 3)b, 4)c, 5)e, 6)a, 7)f, 8)d

Did you know?

Exercise did not become

fashionable until the late

1800’s when people started

to lead increasingly

sedentary lifestyles due to

less work involving manual

labour.

Did you know?

In and around 400 BC, Hippocrates

famously mentioned about exercise,

"If we could give every individual the

right amount of nourishment and

exercise, not too little and not too

much, we would have found the safest

way to health."

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1. Visit our interactive images website to see specimens AND find out more about CVD complications: http://web.med.unsw.edu.au/pathmus/

2. Find out more about Mental Health Issues in Australia by visiting the following websites: http://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/ http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/

3. Calculate your BMI at the following website: http://www.aihw.gov.au/default.aspx?id=10737422352

4. Complete the following activity:

5. Check out UNSW Undergraduate degrees at: http://www.unsw.edu.au/

AUSTRALIA’S LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH Can you match the cause of death to the number of people who died from this cause in 2011?

(Answers are on the bottom of Page 11 of this booklet)

(rounded to nearest hundred)

1) Accidental falls a. 21,500

2) Breast cancer b. 11,300

3) Cerebrovascular disease (eg/ stroke, haemorrhages)

c. 9,900

4) Dementia and Alzheimer disease d. 8,100

5) Diabetes e. 4,200

6) Heart disease (eg/ blocked arteries, heart attacks)

f. 3,300

7) Prostate cancer g. 2,900

8) Respiratory cancer

h. 1,800

View each of the following specimens and the information provided to describe the appearance and disease changes that are evident:

Myocardial infarction 1312.17

Cerebral infarction 485.12

Gangrene 1450.17

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