1. Using HIV/AIDS as an example to discuss why public health authorities need to conduct public health surveillance and to describe how surveillance system is managed in Australia (9 marks) (up to 800 words) The term public health surveillance has been defined as ‘the continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data needed for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice’ (WHO, 2016). Consequently, the fundamental goal of public health surveillance is to collect information as to prevent, control and take action in relation to all forms of diseases, including HIVAIDS. According to Nsubuga and White (2006), the purpose of surveillance system is to empower decision-making in order …show more content…
In 2014, 1,081 people were diagnosed with HIV, with the majority of new HIV diagnoses (75%) occurring among gay and bisexual men (HIV statistics in Australia, 2016). Hence, by providing these statistics it permits the nation to be aware that HIVAIDS is still a disease that needs more attention and health authorities need to invest more time into this forms of disease . Public health surveillance is useful both for measuring the need for interventions and for directly measuring the effects of interventions. Public health authorities need to conduct surveillance to reduce the risk of disease and to promote health. Additionally it is vital to conduct public health surveillance as it assists to learn the ongoing patterns of the disease occurrence and the potential for disease in a population (Lesson 5 Public Health Surveillance, 2016). Thus, this enables efficiency in investigating, controlling, and preventing disease in that population group (Lesson 5 Public Health Surveillance 2016). The National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System best known as NNDSS, permits all stages of public health to incorporate, allowing the state, local, territorial and federal governments to distribute notifiable disease and other interrelated health materials. The NNDSS provides leadership and resources to local, state, and territorial public health sectors to adopt standards-based systems, which are required to support the national disease surveillance
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its deriving acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are devastating conditions that currently affect approximately 35.3 million individuals globally (WHO, 2012). In the Canadian context, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS ascended to 71,300 cases in 2011, with 8.9% of the affected individuals being aboriginal peoples (PHAC, 2011). This number not only indicates an overrepresentation of the aboriginal population among the totality of HIV/AIDS cases in the country, but it also illustrates an elevated incidence of 17.3% from the numbers reported in 2008 (PHAC, 2011). The aforementioned statistics were here exposed with the intent of recognizing the incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS, as alarming public health issues superimposed on the already vulnerable segment of the Canadian population that is the aboriginal community. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to gradually examine the multiple determinants and factors contributing to such problem as well as some of the possible actions that can ameliorate it.
The purpose of this essay is to indicate how the needle and syringe program in prisons will benefit the Australian government as well as the wider Australian community. As well as the maintenance of NSPs can be maintained while acknowledging concerns of those against it. Needle and syringe programs (NSP) are aimed at intravenous drug users, so as to prevent and limit blood borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. These NSP programs help drug addicts by supplying needles and also through referrals and provide education among other services. All these efforts are made to control the spread of blood borne diseases like Hepatitis and AIDS in Australian population with 872 Blood Borne viruses reported 4th quarter 2013(Quarterly Surveillance Report Notifiable Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood-borne Viruses in Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, Department of health period ending Volume11(1) 31st of December 2013). Blood borne diseases being a major concern all around the globe and prisons being a hub for these diseases its best that NSPs are introduced in prisons.
Public Health plays a big role in our society and has different duties that need to be carried out. The purpose of Pubic health is to help prevent epidemics and spread of disease. Public Health is supposed to help protect against environmental hazards and prevent injuries. They also promote and encourage healthy behaviors. The 10 Essential Public Health Services helps provide a foundation for any public health activity. These services provide a structure for Public Health and maintain a healthy environment for citizens. Each service helps fulfill different duties to ensure quality improvements in the public health systems. The public health services help as a foundation for the National Public Health Performance Standards. The three essential services are to inform, educate, and empower people about health issues, develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts, and link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise available.
There are still many issues that the government has been trying to address. One barrier that continues to exist is the stigma of HIV/AIDS. People avoid getting tested and sick individuals would wait until they were extremely ill before seeking treatment. The government has countered social stigma through a public health campaign to promote HIV testing. As more people participated in testing, public attitudes started changing (Glassman, 2016, p.28). Still, many traditionally at risk groups continue to be vulnerable. Female sex workers, young adults, and men who have sex with men, have lower rates of HIV testing and have less knowledge about HIV prevention (Glassman, 2016, p.28). Addressing these populations will require additional social
With the emergence of HIV over thirty years ago, it has been estimated that more than half a million people have died from AIDS in the United States. As of 2006, approximately 2.2 million people in the United States are HIV positive with roughly 50,000 new infections per year. The most alarming statistic is that 20% of people that are HIV positive are unaware, making them susceptible to passing on the infection unknowingly. Public health programs have been working since the emergence of HIV to educate the populations, trying to give them the knowledge and the tools to protect themselves from infection. As more information has been collected about the transmission of HIV and the relevant social behaviors of susceptible populations leading to transmission, public health programs have been adjusting their messages and methods.
The federal initiative provides funding for prevention and support programs, research and statistical analysis of HIV/AIDS trends by region of the country (phac-aspc.gc.ca, 2012). The goals of the federal initiative are aimed at preventing the transmission and acquisition of HIV/AIDS, to slow the spread of the disease and improve the quality of life of those infected with disease (phac-aspc.gc.ca, 2012). The overall diagnosis of new HIV/AIDS has decreased in Canada between 1996 and 2012, with a high of 2729 new cases in 1996 and a low of 2062 new cases in 2012, which is an overall reduction of 667 new cases per year (phac-aspc.gc.ca, 2012).
HIV/STD is a prevalent pandemic that affects thousands of people in Europe, Africa, and United States. More than 15 million sexually transmitted disease occur in the United States (CITE CDC). Doctors and various health professionals have sought after the prevention of HIV/STD, but health professionals have come to a conclusion stating that health promotion is the best way to beat the pandemic with the help of patients. “Rates of curable STDs in the United States, the highest in the developed world, are higher than in some developing countries. “(CDC) “STDs account for 87% of th...
Statistics have been show a frightening increase in AIDS/HIV cases. As of the year 2012, South Africa has had the most cases of HIV/AIDS coming to a total of 6,070,800 ("Country Comparison :: HIV/AIDS”). This is a huge contributing factor to this conspira...
This was a 16 weeks hands-on experience which took place at the Enhanced Surveillance Section of Public Health Agency of Canada in Ottawa. During this time, I was fortunate to work among and learn from a diverse, intelligent and very talented group of professionals in the public health sector. My practicum experience provided me with a tremendous opportunity to gain further insight into some of the principles of surveillance systems and their operations, as well as the challenges involved in conducting population-based public health initiatives at the national level. My main task was to prepare a written report on the process of the development of the national indicators for the HIV care cascade. Throughout my practicum, I found multiple opportunities to further develop my skills to master core competencies in public health. Of note, I had a chance on two separate occasions to present the results of my work and lead the discussions on one of those sessions. This enabled me to further improve on my leadership skills while sharing knowledge and experience results of my work, and also polish my communication and partnership
The purpose of this paper is to exam a Healthy People 2020 health topic. This paper will discuss HIV; human immunodeficiency virus. This paper will assess, interpret, justify, evaluate and appraise HIV disease, its history, health statistics, preventive measures, the role of the nurse and finally an appraisal of the health programs and availability of supportive care.
To decrease HIV transmission and to minimise the impact of the epidemic, on children, young people and families, through the growing effectiveness of national action to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the East of Asia and the Pacific regions. They aim to provide practical support and aid at community level, encouraging the full engament of people affected by HIV/AIDS.
There were roughly 2.1 million new HIV infections in the year of 2015 which, 150,000 of were among children. Some that have this disease , are not aware of it , and are harming themselves, newborns,and with others that are sexually active . HIV testing should be mandatory in the United States , because it is a comely known disease that is spreading with and without notice. It is very unhealthy for a person’s body and life. One’s who have this deadly disease do not think of others when they are getting prepared to engage in a sexual act. Most people get HIV because of unprotected sex ,or by sharing drug needles with someone who is infected with this disease. If HIV testing is mandatory , it will help many around the United States because
There are many ethical and legal issues regarding the disclosure of HIV status in Australia, specifically before engagement in a sexual relationship. These issues are investigated in a variety of articles and reports, including “The paradox of public HIV disclosure” (Paxton, 2002), which analyses the multifaceted benefits of disclosure in relation to social, psychological and physical health. Incongruently, alternate articles such as, “Disclosure of HIV-positive status among people from minority ethnic communities in Sydney” (Korner, 2007), assess the social risks for those who disclose their HIV status, investigating the negative impact disclosure may have on an individual’s health. Additionally, “The problem with Section 79: the call to amend HIV disclosure laws in NSW” (Harlum, 2016) and “Should it be illegal for HIV-positive persons to have unprotected sex without disclosure?” (Horvath, 2010) examine the legal aspects of HIV disclosure through a thorough evaluation of the laws regarding it, while assessing the outcome of the implementation of these laws. Although it is acknowledged that the social stigma surrounding HIV causes substantial social risks for those who disclose their HIV status, the benefits of disclosure must also be considered in order to determine whether or not laws should be put in place to make disclosure a requirement prior to engagement in a sexual relationship. This essay argues that there is an insignificant need for laws regarding disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners.
There is more than enough data that shows the extent to which AIDS cripples millions of individuals and households around the globe. Also, there are verified methods we can take to address this pandemic. We, as citizens of the world, need to recognize the severity of this problem and take action. Those in power must better distribute resources so that more is spent on saving the families and lives of AIDS stricken patients.
The emergence of HIV/AIDS is viewed globally as one of the most serious health and developmental challenges our society faces today. Being a lentivirus, HIV slowly replicates over time, attacking and wearing down the human immune system subsequently leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) at which point the affected individual is exposed to life threatening illnesses and eventual death. Despite the fact that a few instances of this disease have been accounted for in all parts of the world, a high rate of the aforementioned living with HIV are situated in either low or medium wage procuring nations. The Sub-Saharan region Africa is recognized as the geographic region most afflicted by the pandemic. In previous years, people living with HIV or at risk of getting infected did not have enough access to prevention, care and treatment neither were they properly sensitized about the disease. These days, awareness and accessibility to all the mentioned (preventive methods, care etc.) has risen dramatically due to several global responses to the epidemic. An estimated half of newly infected people are among those under age 25(The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic). It hits hard as it has no visible symptoms and can go a long time without being diagnosed until one is tested or before it is too late to manage.