Culture,+health+professionals+and+death.


 * Name: Margarette Somerville **
 * Student Number: n8097852 **
 * Tutor: Colleen Niland **
 * The Death Culture **

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media type="youtube" key="fGT4LKQYgHg" height="315" width="560" [|The Right Track] // This is a long video, to get the idea you only have to watch // 7 minutes, however the messages at 16 minutes are the // Health issue. //

** The Artifact **. The issue is the high rate of death and accidents of adolescents particularly in the cars. The youth perception that they are invincible has always been a concern. This programme aims to provide a solution regarding providing the education in a manner that can be correctly interpreted and understood. **__ The Public Health Issue __**.

The Public health issue for my analysis relates to the reluctance of society to talk about death and specifically, premature death. This is particularly evident when talking to young adults in terms of suicide, risky behaviours and their perceived immortality and the reluctance to change lifestyle for a longer healthier life. The author intends to explore the behaviours of young adults, which are the “norm” and their impact on families and society. Binge drinking and excessive motor vehicle speed are a right of passage for youth; the “it will never happen to me” mentality is always prevalent dominating youth thoughts over sense. Reluctance of society to address the ever-increasing girth of the nation is not restricted to the young. The impact of an unhealthy lifestyle and taking risks can have on families does not appear to be a consideration. An article published in 1958 discussed the reluctance to talk death as it “does not have any sociologic impact on American Society”. It addresses words that are still spoken with reluctance today and asks why someone has “passed away” rather than “died” identifying sociologists reluctance to explore this area more thoroughly. Today death continues to be a taboo subject. Becker discusses how we as humans shrink away from the subject of death and pretend we are immortal and so the risk takers thrive in an otherwise conservative society. **__ Risky Behaviours. __**  The trend of 2011 is “Planking”, now superseded by “Owling”, these are new risky youth behaviours made infamous by Facebook (Mail Online 2011). Taking illicit drugs, speed in motor vehicles, binge drinking and antisocial behaviour are long standing rights of passage for adolescents and long standing risky behaviours. In 1955 James Dean made the movie “Rebel Without a Cause” which featured high-speed car travel, in 1955 James Dean died in a high-speed car accident. Dee et al (2001) used information obtained in Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) to demonstrate that fewer than fewer than 60% of fatalities of teens in motor vehicles were drivers and that most were not wearing seatbelts. They indicate that most accidents happen in the family car possibly due to more teen drivers. Education has played a major part in reducing road fatalities since the 1950’s, as has improved safety features in cars. While numerous articles have identified anger as a major cause of traffic accidents, distraction and alcohol also have significant impacts. This information was obtained from written surveys of young adolescents. A longitudinal study conducted by Vassallo, published in Youth Central, interviewed 19 and 20-year-old students in regional Victoria looking at risky driving behavior. Previously identified risks of speed, driving under the influence of drink or drugs and fatique were identified as risk factors in accidents. The study showed that risky drivers had other problems for example antisocial behavior and concluded that tackling only the driving issues would be ineffective in reducing the road toll. America recorded 34,000 deaths from road accidents in 2009, Australia recorded 1,464 a continued reduction through the years yet the rate of male deaths continues to be significantly higher than female. Binge drinking can be considered as having six or more standard drinks on one occasion. A study recently published by Charles (2011) showed that this was most prevalent in the 18 to 24 year old age group and declined with age. The affects of binge drinking are widely known, anti-social behavior, loss of consciousness and unwanted sexual activity, yet it is a norm within society to drink heavily on Friday and Saturday nights. The long-term effects, for example AIDS (WHO 2005) would not be a priority of the infallible youth therefore the efforts of any public health campaign must focus on the immediate results. This is being attempted by the Drive project in Tasmania, and The Right Track in New Zealand, which was developed as a challenge for young males in relation to the road accident culture and has developed into a project for refocusing risky male youth behaviour. The Alco pops tax, introduced as part of the Australian National Preventative Health program, was declared a success by the government yet numerous media surveys indicate that it has had no impact. The program has introduced numerous strategies to alter the drinking culture with promotion of drinking and safety as well has enforcing liquor licensing laws. DrinkWise Australia is a non-profit organisation aimed at safety in the drinking culture with numerous research programs and media campaigns. Ironically the alcohol producers and distributors of Australia fund them. A news blog, Nipples On Line, (October 2011) reported a senior policeman advising women against binge drinking saying it would make them at risk of rape. This spurned a wide range of comments on the subsequent blogs including comments advising men not to rape. Many of these media and health campaigns are aimed at women and advice to keep them safe this blog has little reference to the real campaign of “Look Out for your mates” as stated in the Sydney Morning Herald (2011). A literature review by Chen (2007) advises that open communication between parents and teenagers reduces risky sexual behavior and delays first sex. While parents often feel that this communication has been broken this paper emphasises the importance of ongoing discussion. HIV infection may not become apparent for many years. Youth Central is a website aimed at issues faced by youth giving factual and understandable information in relation to the many challenges faced by adolescents. The search for immortality has been around for centuries with Cleopatra’s search for eternal youth. Becker (1973) suggests that our quest for immortality is what makes humans violent, he states that the fear of death must be present in order for self-preservation. **__ Suicide. __** Suicide rates continue to be too high worldwide. In Australia in 2008 1799 deaths were recorded as suicide (ABS 2009), this figure included mostly males. While open discussion on death is seen as positive in aged and palliative care there is evidence to suggest that this is not always the case. Suicide prevention suggests that exposure to suicide increases the risk and may normalise the behaviour having a negative impact on the suicide rate. The challenge is to break the stigma associated with suicide, bringing discussion into the open. “Breaking the Silence” (2010), a must read for anyone interested in exploring this area further, is a multi-organisation, multi-professional report which is backed by research and opinions. It gives clear guidance on where development is needed, as well as the statistics to give that guidance. It acknowledges that there is no sudden identified “cure” only assistance, support and advice for all the victims involved. It indicates that suicide is not only a mental health problem, financial strain; emotional stress and physical pain are all contributors. Opening discussion may be as simple as asking “are you suicidal?” It may be a preventer yet the stigma of suicide does not make this an easy question. Mark Twain said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes, yet we do not discuss death. The Dying Matters Coalition is an attempt to bring death discussion out in the open yet their research has shown that considerable numbers rely on health professionals to lead that discussion. This coalition is connected to the National Council for Palliative Care has an annual awareness week where people are encouraged to talk about dying and making an end of life plan. Their website “Dying Matters, Lets Talk About it!” aims to start discussion, the video links “dying for a laugh” gives a comedians view of death. It is hardly surprising that the health carers attitudes to death has an impact on their ability to openly discuss death wishes. A sound understanding of beliefs and views of others is essential to open communication while peer support is essential in difficult situations. Socrates stated that we only live to die, while Freud analytical theory suggests that “the death drive” is a mental process that reduces tension. Research on death is limited yet the 5 stages of grief as devised by Kubler Ross (Bonner 2008) is well know and a main education tool for those involved in grief and loss not only in the death of a loved one. An Advanced Health Directive, or living will, is a directive to give guidance to family and carers in the event that you cannot make that decision yourself. Although they are becoming more popular it is often difficult for healthcare professionals to discuss these and organ donation at times of family trauma. **__ Obesity. __** The global burden of disease has ischaemic heart disease as the number one cause of death (ABS 2010). In Australia in 2009 it was the cause of 16% of deaths, the highest burden of disease. This is mainly a lifestyle illness with many media and Public Health campaigns promoting change. Yet in some cultures, for example Samoan, being overweight is not a health concern as indicated by Wilkinson (1994). It can be seen as a sign of prosperity and an African community force-feeds their girls from a young age to make them fat for marriage (Consultancy Africa Intelligence 2011). A study conducted in eScience News (2008) confirmed that an extended waistline has a significant impact on premature death, increasing the mortality risk by up to 17%. Measuring the waistline is now common practice for health assessments. Denmark is now leading the way in tackling obesity; an attempt to discourage fatty foods has led to the introduction of a “Fat Tax”, taxing any food with a fat content of over 2.6%. The increasing girth does not only lead to cardiovascular disease but also diabetes with increases in the diagnosis of type II diabetes. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2010 stated that physical inactivity was prevalent in 80% of people with Type II diabetes; an unhealthy diet, stress, smoking and alcohol are also significant contributors. It is an accepted Australian culture that a weekend get together always includes alcohol and food, yet there are numerous activities available with no alcohol involved. This is particularly evident in the Aboriginal communities where alcohol misuse has devastating results. The smoking bans have had an affect; making it socially unacceptable to smoke in many public places yet not in the Aboriginal communities where tobaccos use remain high (Australian Infonet 2011). There have also been numerous studies showing that maternal obesity has a direct impact on the unborn child with neonatal death more prevalent in overweight mothers (Women’s and Children’s Hospital 2008). It can also affect the neonate’s iron levels and may contribute to neural tube and cardiovascular disorders. Yet it is considered rude to tell someone they are fat. An obese woman is also at significant risk of developing complications during the pregnancy, when giving birth and post-nataly. **__ Reflection. __**

Learning as health professionals to be aware of cultures food, alcohol and risky behaviours is difficult. Dealing with the impact of a traumatic youth death from a road traffic accident or suicide or the death of a young mother from AIDS can have devastating affects on the professionals attending. The difficulty of accepting the perception that overweight is a sign of prosperity are all daily challenges. A suicide survivor once told the author “when it comes to the end no one matters, nothing matters” yet what of those left behind to pick up the pieces? **__ Useful Links __**.

DrinkWise Australia. []

Dying Matters. “//Lets Talk about it//”. []

Suicide Prevention Australia. “//Breaking the Silence//” (2011). []

The Drive Project. []

The Ernest Becker Foundation. [] The Right Track. //Te Ara Tutuki Pai. []// Women’s and Children’s Hospital Australia. (2008). Maternal Obesity - Implications for Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes. Retrieved from []

Victorian Government. Youth Central. []

Australian Indigenous Health Infonet. []

Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3303.0- Causes of Death, Australia, 2009. [] 4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, 2008. __ http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008 __ 3303.0 - Causes of Death, Australia, 2009. [] 4821.0.55.001 - Cardiovascular Disease in Australia: A Snapshot, 2004-05. [] 4820.0.55.001 - Diabetes in Australia: A Snapshot, 2007-08. []

Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing, Don’t Turn a Night Out into a Nightmare Campaign. [] Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Road Deaths Australia, 2008 Statistical Summary (2009) http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2009/pdf/rsr_04.pdf Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Road Deaths Australia, 2008 Statistical Summary (2009) [] Preventative Health. Technical Paper 3: Preventing Alcohol-related harm in Australia: a window of opportunity. Retrieved from[]


 * Additional References: **

Black, K. (2007). Health care professionals' death attitudes, experiences, and advance directive communication behavior. Death Studies, 31(6), 563-572. Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Boeree, Dr. C.G. (2009), Sigmund Freud 1856-1939. Retrieved from: []

Charles, Janice (01/08/2011). "Binge drinking". //Australian family physician//, 40 (8), p. 569.

Boerner, C. M. (2008). "Web Site Will Help You Explore Your Compliance Culture in Terms of Kubler-Ross' Five Stages of Grief and Other Models". //Journal of health care compliance//, 10 (2), p. 37

Chia-Chen Chen, Angela (01/04/2007). "Preventing adolescent risky sexual behavior: Parents matter". //Journal for specialists in pediatric nursing//, 12 (2), p. 119

Deffenbacher, D.A. (2001). Driving anger: Correlates and a test of state-trait theory. //Personality and individual differences//. 31 (8), p. 1321

eScience News. (2008). A large waist can almost double your risk of premature death, says huge Europe-wide study. Retrieved on 9th October 2011from []

Forster-Towne, C. (2011) Force-feeding in Mauritania: Beauty in the eye of male beholders. //Consultancy Africa Intelligence//. Retrieved from []

Fulton, Robert L (1958). "The Sociology of Death: A Neglected Area of Research". //Social forces//, 36 (3), p. 205.

Gruber, J. (2001) Risky Behaviour among Youths: an economic analysis. National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report (book)

Gonzalez-Iglesias, B (2010). "The role of personality and anger in the explanation of youth women's risky driving behaviours". //Anales de psicología (Murcia, Spain)//, 26 (2), p. 318.

Graham, K. “Lets talk about Death” ABC Science, 18 May 2006. Retrieved on 4th October 2011 from []

Mail On Line. “Owling, It's The New Planking! New Crouching Craze Springs Up On The Internet” By [|Daily Mail Reporter]. Last Updated At 9:45 Am On 15th July 2011. Retrieved On 24th October 2011 From Http://Www.Dailymail.Co.Uk/News/Article-2015034/Owling-New-Planking-New-Crouching-Craze-Springs-Internet.Html

Anonymous. News with Nipples. “If you’re drunk and get raped, you’ve got no one to blame but yourself, says NSW Police Commissioner” Retrieved on 11th October 2011 from []

Ralston, N. & Howden, S. (2011) Girls' drink pact. //The Sydney Morning Herald//. Retrieved from []

Sanson, A. (2008). "Risky driving among young Australian drivers II: Co-occurrence with other problem behaviours". //Accident analysis and prevention//, 40 (1), p. 376.

Wilkinson, J. Y., Bentovim, D. I. & Walker M. (1994) An Insight into the Personal and Cultural Significance of Weight and Shape in Large Samoan Women. //International Journal of Obesity//, (2005), 18 (9), p. 602-606.

World Health Organisation. (2011). The top ten causes of death. Media Centre. Fact Sheet No. 130. Retrieved on 1st October 2011 []

World Health Organisation. (2005). A lcohol Use And Sexual Risk Behaviour: A Cross-Cultural Study In Eight Countries - Who, Geneva. Retrieved From []

Wikki Comments

Page: ** Lost in Translation- Technological Takeover of Generation Y **

Your painting says a thousand words, I particularly like the teeth. This says to me, as in your article gen Y are all about communicating inwardly. I wonder if the art of conversation will disappear. With everything that is an accomplishment it is sad that there has to be a negative, in this case health both mental and physical. I hope you have copyrighted your picture as it is an excellent depiction of what we have become.

Page: Your research goes to show how important the government campaign to draw indigenous students to the medical profession is. Even with all the cross cultural training available it will likely always have a gap and things will not improve.
 * Doctors and Patients - Are We From Different Planets? **