A Communitarian Correction for Health Outcomes in New South Wales?

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel

For over a decade, there has been a growing focus on health outcomes in the Australian health care system at a national and state level. Designed to improve population health, health outcomes programs are an attempt to re-orient health services. In Australia, New South Wales (NSW) is probably the most advanced state in implementing a health outcomes approach. What is the role of communities in the model of health outcomes proposed by the NSW Health Department? A theoretical perspective of 'community' is presented, which is then used to analyse major policy documents and publications from the NSW Department of Health that advance a health outcomes approach. The interface between health services and communities is particularly important from the perspective of NSW Health Areas and Districts which must implement programs to improve the health outcomes of the communities in their catchment areas. The contribution to improved health outcomes that is possible by working with communities should not be lost in any re-orientation of health services.

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Mathers ◽  
Theo Vos ◽  
Chris stevenson

Reviewed by Don Hindle, Visiting Professor, School of Health Services Management,University of New South Wales


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-80
Author(s):  
Daniel Kwai Apat ◽  
Wellington Digwa

This paper examines mental health policies in relation to African communities residing in New South Wales, Australia and the attitudes of African communities toward mental disorders and mental health services. Current mental health policy frameworks have shown an inadequate inclusion of African communities. This may negatively affect the design of mental health interventions and how African communities engage with mental health services. The available mental health literature on African communities showed disjointed and uncoordinated data which focuses on specific community-groups within African communities. Insufficient mental health or suicide data, combined with African community members’ perception toward mental disorders and mental health services, makes it very difficult to progress engagement and interventions. There is a need for proper and sizable data on mental health related to people of African descent in NSW and Australia wide, if positive outcomes are to be realised.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meena Chandra ◽  
Anthea Duri ◽  
Mitchell Smith

The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of chronic disease risk factors in humanitarian arrivals to Sydney, New South Wales (NSW) with the Australian Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations aged 35–44 years. Data on risk factors collected from 237 refugees presenting to the NSW Refugee Health Service (RHS) from January 2015 to August 2016 were retrospectively analysed and compared with data from the Australian Health Surveys, 2011–13 for the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian populations. This study found significantly higher levels of triglycerides (z=3; 95% CI, 0.16–0.26); hypertension (z=3.2; 95% CI, 0.17–0.29); and smoking (z=3.5; 95% CI, 0.27–0.33) in refugees compared with the general Australian population. The Indigenous population had significantly higher levels of triglycerides (z=4; 95% CI, 0.16–0.26); body mass indexes (BMIs) (z=3.3; 95% CI 0.58–0.72); and smoking (z=5.4; 95 CI 0.27–0.33) compared with refugees. Based on the study findings, screening for chronic disease risk factors from age 35 years may be warranted in all humanitarian arrivals to Australia, along with dietary and lifestyle advice.


Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Bourne ◽  
Debbie Allen ◽  
Katherine Brown ◽  
Stephen C. Davies ◽  
Anna McNulty ◽  
...  

Background: In New South Wales (NSW), publicly funded sexual health services (PFSHSs) target the populations at greatest risk for important sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and so may make a large contribution to the diagnosis of notifiable STIs. We aimed to determine the proportions of STIs diagnosed in PFSHSs and notified to the NSW Ministry of Health in 2009, and describe geographical variations. Methods: The number of notifiable STIs (infectious syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV and chlamydia) diagnosed in 2009 was obtained for each Area Health Service (AHS) and each PFSHS. The proportion of diagnoses made by PFSHSs was calculated at the state and AHS level according to five geographical regions: inner and outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote. Results: The overall proportions of diagnoses made by NSW PFSHSs were syphilis, 25%; gonorrhoea, 25%; HIV, 21%; and chlamydia, 14%. Within each zone, the proportions of these STIs were (respectively): (i) inner metropolitan: 32%, 26%, 21% and 13%; (ii) outer metropolitan: 41%, 24%, 43% and 9%; (iii) regional: 62%, 15%, 23% and 10%; (iv) rural: 8%, 29%, <5% and 20%; and (v) remote: <5%, 43%, <5% and 29%. There was considerable variation in proportions of STIs between and within AHSs (<5–100%). Conclusions: NSW PFSHSs contribute a large proportion of diagnoses for syphilis, gonorrhoea and HIV, but less so for chlamydia. Across AHSs and zones, there was considerable variation in the proportions. These data support the role of PFSHS in identifying and managing important STIs in high-risk populations.


2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 677-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Vinod ◽  
A. C. Hui ◽  
N. Esmaili ◽  
M. J. Hensley ◽  
M. B. Barton

Sexual Health ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Y. Chen ◽  
Basil Donovan

Background: Over the last decade, significant advances have occurred in the area of chlamydia diagnostics. The relative frequency of different testing methods employed in the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in New South Wales has not been previously reported. Methods: Testing methods—both laboratory method and specimen type—employed in the diagnosis of chlamydia cases notified in New South Wales between 1999 and 2002 were collated from Health Department records. Results: During a period of increasing notifications, the proportion of men diagnosed with C. trachomatis using nucleic acid tests (NATs) increased from 36% in 1999 to 90% in 2002. Among women, the proportion diagnosed using NATs increased from 42% in 1999 to 92% in 2002. Urine samples were consistently used in the diagnosis of two-thirds of the men, and one-third of the women. Conclusion: Between 1999 and 2002, a rapid shift towards NATs for genital C. trachomatis took place in New South Wales.


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