Good+Health+Less+Burden

Joel Meacock n7588437 Tutor: Katie Page

**CULTURAL ARTIFACT** The cultural artefact that I have chosen is a drawing depicting a group of armed guards transporting what seems like a very valuable object to a bank. The image consists of 5 armed men with one dog, standing around an armoured Bullion Security van, which also has two automatic guns attached to its roof. One man is in inside the van passing out an object, which is described by the title as the last carton of cigarettes. The last carton of cigarettes is glowing as if it is made of gold.

** PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE ** The public health issue my cultural artefact is describing, is the prevention of ill health within Australia. The Carton of cigarettes in the image is demonstrating that by locking away all the cigarettes in the world, it will prevent the cause of many common diseases. For the last 40 years, Governments have focused on the treatment of illness. However, the Government within Australia have started to place a greater importance on the prevention of ill health. Through the major health reform this year, the Government plan to improve the health of Australians and reduce chronic disease.

** LITERATURE REVIEW **

Since the last health reform over 40 years ago, Governments have placed the majority of their attention to the treatment of ill health. However, the prevention of ill health and health promotion, have emerged as major themes in recent years (Community Practitioner, 2003). It is commonly recognised that traditional health campaigns put in place to stop people smoking, eating badly or to start exercising are not actually working. If they were, preventable illnesses and diseases such as cancer and obesity would have gradually been prevented ( Robinson, 2006). Recently, Governments have realised that for their methods to be successful, they must adopt a new approach. Preliminary research has shown that it is more effective for a health care professional to begin to understand why people act in certain ways and to find solutions to support them (Robinson, 2006). The results of the research showed that by following this method, certain behaviours can be stopped early, preventing the onset of disease (Robinson, 2006).

A major contributor to the development of ill health is unemployment. A study performed by the office of population censuses and survey (OPCS) estimated that there is a 20% excess risk of dying amongst men who do not work when compared to males actively seeking out employment (Bartley, 1994). The stress of being unemployed for long periods of time can cause people to turn to stress relevance (Murin, Hilbert, Reilly, 1997). Substances such as nicotine found in cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs are commonly used and are also the common cause of preventable illness (Murin, et al). In the United States, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, despite the many anti smoking campaigns. If these methods are still not working and governments are serious about preventing disease, then they might benefit from taking more extreme actions, for example, banning cigarette usage as is depicted in the artefact. Obviously this idea is unrealistic, but in order to resolve this global phenomenon it may be the only answer.

The growth of childhood and adult obesity in Australia is progressively becoming a national health problem and is in need of federal attention. The Government as well as health authorities must work together to emphasise the importance of preventing obesity from an early age (Koplan, Liverman, Catharyn, Kraak. 2005). Obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic, with the prevalence nearly being tripled amongst children aged 4-12 (4-15.3%) from the late 1970s when it first emerged as a problem (Koplan. Et al). It is hard to believe that with statistics like these, we are still watching our children grow up to have diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other weight related issues. However, the responsibility does not completely lie with the Government. Preventing childhood obesity also lies with communities, schools and families and can only be achieved through a massive commitment from all parties. Along with unemployment, homelessness contributes greatly to the cause of preventable illness. Those living on the street experience the same array of medical illnesses that household families do, but additionally may suffer from diseases as a consequence of drug and alcohol abuse or infectious diseases such as HIV (Turnbull, Muckle, Masters, 2007). Homeless people have been estimated to be 6-7 times more likely to attain an alcohol or drug related health problem (Turnbull, et al). Many internal and external factors contribute to the health status of the homeless. Internal factors such as the continuous pressure of finding clothing, food, or shelter can cause a person to neglect their own level of health (Plumb, 2000). Also, a person may deny to themselves that they have any health problems primarily due to the fact that they cannot afford to be treated or the care is not available to them (Plumb, 2000).

Previously, we looked at unemployment as an igniter for preventable ill health. Contrarily, we are now going to look at employment. Over the last 15 years, researchers have become increasingly more interested in the relationship between physical and mental health and work ( Shigemi, Yoshio, Tadahiro, 2000) . The correlation between health and work has been examined by numerous researchers, with results stating that stress induced by working is a large factor in the cause of disease ( Shigemi, et al) . Working factors such as too much competition, too much work, too little work, too much responsibility or long hours have all been noted as the centre of the development of preventable illnesses ( Shigemi, et al) . Similar to the pressures of homelessness and unemployment, the stress produced by jobs can result in the development of addiction towards substances ( Bonn, Bonn. 2000) . Alcohol and drug addiction are common forms of stress relief amongst men and women in these situations (Bonn, Bonn, 2000), and as previously stated, substance abuse is a leading cause of preventable disease and ill health.

The prevention of ill health and disease has recently been studied to determine whether it could be more successful than the treatment of illnesses after they occur ( <span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: justify;">Robinson, <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: justify;">2006). After reading this article, it is clear that governments must address the social, cultural and economic factors which contribute greatly to a nations health status in order to be successful. Tackling world problems which are leading causes to disease and ill health such as homelessness, obesity or cigarette smoking must be made a high priority and dealt with a continuous commitment by governments, communities, schools and families.

**SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANALYSIS**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Every culture throughout history has formed its own way of treating ill health ( <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Gay, Gates, Newsom. 2004) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">. Many indigenous cultures today, still use the same practices as their ancestors did many years ago. Although Governments encourage indigenous tribes to uphold their cultures, it causes policies exercised by every day society to become less effective in indigenous areas ( <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Gay, et al) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">. Health workers sent to educate and treat patients in indigenous areas can find it very hard to promote their knowledge, as community members are just not interested in changing their ways ( <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Bond. 2005) <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">. Health workers are taught on the belief that health promotion provides people with the ability to increase control over what determines ones health and thereby enabling them to improve their health (Nutbeam, 1998). The notion represents a social and political process, which embodies actions directed at strengthening the skills and capabilities of individuals, allowing them to change social, environmental and economic conditions which impact on public and individual health (Nutbeam, 1998). However, no matter how much a government believes in their modern ideas, they are still trying to change traditions that have been set in place for hundreds of years. The disinterest described by Bond (2005) is due to the fact that indigenous people also believe in their ideas. It is hard to imagine Nicola Roxon Minister of Health for the Labor Party changing her way of thinking if an aboriginal person tried to tell her his way of treating health was more effective than hers.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Ill health effects millions across the globe, but is more prolific within certain groups of society (Berkman, Kawachi. 2000). Young (2006) states that the health impacts of social problems are due to the stress theory, whereby stress is the common cause of problems like poverty, homelessness, discrimination or street crime. Young goes on to state that the gaps found in modern health systems which leave social groups unable to attain a good health service is due to no clarification of what they need to do. Such clarification would greatly improve a public health program, targeting ill health prevention to all social demographics instead of an improved health status to some. A nations health status includes every person who is apart of that nation (Young, 2006). Not just those who have a stable job, a roof over their head or those who have access to health care. Therefore, to achieve a program that promotes the prevention of ill health, Governments need to place social issues such as homelessness and unemployment as high priority issues to be improved. This is not an easy task, and Governments do a lot to improve social issues. However, I believe that plans used to solve these problems are not looked at from a health perspective and could benefit greatly from doing so.

** ANALYSIS OF CULTURAL ARTIFACT **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">Throughout this analysis we have discussed many issues surrounding ill health and health promotion, all of which can be described by my cultural artefact. The image depicts armed men escorting the last pack of cigarettes to a bank. Representing a step towards the prevention of ill health by relieving the world of its leading cause of cancer. The carton of cigarettes also represent other health issues the Government faces. It demonstrates that by making decisions such as getting rid of all the cigarettes, not only would it be preventing many common diseases, but it would greatly improve the health status of a nation.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">After doing the research on the topic and completing the analysis, I have gained much insight into many issues that surround public health. For someone like myself who has never worked in the field of health, it is hard to really grasp the size and complexity of a program such as health care. The amount of work that is put into public health in order to provide everyone with a form of health care is enormous and I have gained a lot of respect for those who put the work in. Also, it has provided me with the opportunity to research and begin to acknowledge the harsh life a homeless or unemployed person may live and the struggles they go through everyday just to survive.

REFERENCES <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">Bartley, M (1994) Unemployment and ill health: understanding the relationship. Nuffield College, Oxford. 48(4). p 330-340

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">Berkman L, Kawachi I (2000). //Social Epidemiology//. New York: Oxford.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">Bond, C. (2005) A culture of ill health: public health or aboriginality. P 39-43, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Australasian Medical Publishing Company Proprietary, Ltd.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">Bonn, D., Bonn, J. (2000) Work related stress: Can it be a thing of the past? 355(9128). p 1-15, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Elsevier Limited

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">Community Practitioner (2003) Preventing ill health and reducing risk emerge as major themes of framework document. 76(5), p 150-160. retrieved from @http://search.proquest.com/docview/213307226?accountid=13380

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Frieden, T., Blakeman, D., Drew, E. (2005) American Journal of Public Health. 95(9). p 200- 225. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">American Public Health Association

==<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Gay, B., Gates, R., Newsom, E. (2004) Self care amongst chronically ill African Americans: Culture, health disparities, and health insurance status. 94(12). p2060-2070. American Public Health Association. ** ==

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">Koplan, J., Liverman, C., Catharyn, T., Kraak, V. (2005) Preventing childhood obesity. 21(3). p 50-65. Issues in Science and Technology.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">Murin, S., Hilbert, J., Reilly, S. (1997) Cigarette Smoking and the Lung. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. Division o f Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 15(3). p 315-360. University o f California

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%;">Nutbeam, D.(1998) Health Promotion Glossary (original Health Promotion Glossary). In: Health Promotion. P 115-130. World Health Organisation.

==<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">Plumb, J. (2000) Homelessness: Reducing health disparities. 163(2). p170-175. Canadian Medical Association. Journal. ==

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 120%; text-decoration: none;">Robinson, F (2006) Targeting preventable ill health. 32(10). p 8- 20 retrieved from [|http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/ehost/detail?sid=2924f17b-a0d1-40a3-9977-c3e045ae3cda%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=107&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=c8h&AN=2009502441] ==<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 9pt; text-decoration: none;">Shigemi, J., Yoshio, O., Tadahiro, T. (2000) Effects of perceived job stress on mental health. A longitudinal survey in a Japanese electronics. European journal of epidemiology. 16(4). p 30-37. Okayama University. Kluwer Academic Publishers. ==

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Shigemi, J., Mino, Y., Babazono, A., Aoyama, H. (1997) The relationship between job stress and mental health at work. P 30- 40. Ind Health

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 9pt;">Turnbull, J., Muckle, W., Masters, C. (2007) Homelessness and health: CMAJ. 177(9). p 1060- 1065. Canadian Medical Association. Journal.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Young, F (2006) Social theory and health. 4(3). p265-270. Palgrave Macmillan

** Discussions **- I really enjoyed reading this. You provided some very interesting statistics and information that i did not know and that I will take with me. I think you provided great information of the cultural and social aspects of alcohol consumption and some in detail about personal choices. The knowledge you provided not only demonstrated your understanding of the topic but also gave me new knowledge which i will not forget. Great work []

You have provided some very interesting information here! Im with you on the fact that gen have become increasingly dependent on technology to communicate and the prevalence of cyber bullying is becoming a major problem within our society. With the research in your analysis, it is hard to believe that the Government isn't making this a a priority. The four strategies you outlined are a very good start to ridding out the problem of cyber bullying. []