PDHPE
Home > PDHPE > Core 1 - Health Priorities in Australia > How are priority areas for Australia's health identified? > How are priority areas for Australia's health identified?
Core 1: Health priorities in Australia
How are priority areas for Australia’s health identified?
Australia is one of the healthiest countries in the world, however, Australia’s population still experiences a range of health problems. Unfortunately, not all diseases or conditions can be addressed at once. In order to maximise resources, the government chooses to identify priority areas in health.
To explore the way in which these priority areas are identified click on the appropriate heading below.
Epidemiology is the study of patterns of health and the distribution and frequency of disease, illness and injury data over a period of time. Epidemiology is a key factor in providing valuable information about the health status of a nation and identifying priority areas in health.
The health status of Australians
Statistics provide a basis for describing and comparing current trends relating to life expectancy and major causes of illness within groups, communities and populations. In particular, they can assist in identifying groups experiencing health inequities such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, socioeconomically disadvantaged, rural and isolated people.
Health priority areas are identified using a variety of factors. These factors include the prevalence of the condition, the cost of the condition to the individual and community groups, potential for change, social justice principles and identifying priority populations groups.