Local and Global Health Issues and Healthcare Systems

Topics: Communicable (Infectious) and Non-Communicable Diseases, Resource/Management Issues

Context Healthcare has major resource implications in terms of human, time and financial resources, and is increasingly influenced by environmental and overall sustainability concerns. Healthcare systems, priorities and politics vary globally, impacting on the management of preventative and interventional healthcare. In this essay, you will examine local and global health issues and the healthcare systems and resources in place to manage those issues. This includes consideration of the political, sustainability and financial influences on the design, development and delivery of those health care systems and programs. Finally, you will consider the potential impact of the chosen health issue on Australia’s healthcare system, and identify an innovative initiative that contributes to reducing or avoiding this issue. Instructions

• Select one (1) topic from one (1) of the following five categories.

1. Communicable (infectious) diseases

? Lower respiratory tract infection (including SARS)

? HIV/AIDS

? Cholera

? reappearance or resurgence of ‘old’ diseases (e.g. HTLV-1 virus, TB, measles) 2. Non-communicable diseases

? diabetes ? cardiovascular disease and stroke

? perinatal morbidity and mortality (mother and infant) 3. Resource/management issues

? inadequate supply of resources (vaccines, insulin) ? antibiotic resistance