Better health for individuals What does health mean to individuals

Better health for individuals

What does health mean to individuals

Health behaviours of young people

Students learn about:

• health behaviours of young people

- the positive health status of young people- protective behaviours and risk behaviours

Students learn to:

• explore current research and information to:

- identify the prevalence of and trends in the health behaviours of young people- challenge the accuracy of societal perceptions of the health behaviours of young people • identify protective and risk

behaviours for health issues relevant to young people and predict how risk decreases or increases when multiple factors interact

The positive health status of young people

The good news• The majority of young people rate their health as ‘good’, ‘verygood’ or ‘excellent’.• Most young people are achieving national minimum standardsfor reading, writing and numeracy, are fully engaged in study or work, and have strong support networks.• Most young people are able to get support from outside thehousehold in times of crisis.• There have been large falls in death rates among young peoplein recent years, mostly due to falls in injury deaths.• Asthma hospitalisations have fallen.• Notifications for hepatitis A, B and C have fallen.• Young people have improved cancer survival.• There have been falls in smoking and illicit substance use.• Most sexually active Year 10 and Year 12 students use some form of

contraception

• AIHW : Young Australians their health and welfare 2011

Trends in health behavioursDeath Rates (Mortality)

• Death rates have declined significantly in the last two decades

• In 2007… 1,418 deaths – which is only 1% of total Australian deaths

• Males accounted for 70% of deaths

• Injury and poisoning accounted for 66% of deaths

• Of this road traffic accidents and self-harm accounted for 35% and 37% respectively

• Males were 3 times more likely to die from road traffic accidents and self-harm

• Cancer was the second leading cause of death-10% (leukaemia and brain cancer were the leading cause)

• Indigenous young people were 2.5 times more likely to die than non-Indigenous young people

Trends in health behaviours

Burden of Disease (BOD) {Morbidity}

• 50% of BOD in young people was due to mental disorders

• 18% of BOD was due to injuries (road traffic accidents and self harm)

AIHW : Young Australians their health and welfare 2011

Trends in health behaviours;Areas of Concern

Mental Health

• 1 in 4 16-24 year olds experienced a mental health problem in the last 12 months

• Anxiety and depression are the most common disorders in young people

• Females were more likely to experience mental health problems compared to males


Weight control

• Obesity rates increased from 3% to 5% between 2001-2005. And overweight (but not obese) rose from 17% to 22% for those aged 18-24years

• Young males were more likely to be overweight or obese

• % of overweight or obese15-24 year olds increased from 29% to 36% over the last decade

• Rates of diabetes in 15-24 year olds has increased

• Physical activity – males are more likely than females to participate in moderate to vigorous activity. But the proportion declines with age.

• Nutrition – only approx 33% of young people (15-24) eat recommended levels of fruit. Only 10% eat enough vegetables.



Sexual Health

• Although most year 10 and 12 students reported using contraception, rates of chlamydia continue to rise

• From 1998 to 2008 the notification rate for chlamydia has increased nearly fivefold

• Young people aged 12-24 years accounted for over 90% of the cases

• of these 50% more females than males



Substance abuseAlcohol• Risky alcohol use decreased between 2001 – 2007 (mostly in 12-15 year

olds)

• The proportion of 16-17 year olds abstaining from alcohol increased from 24% in 2007 to 32% in 2010

• The proportion of males drinking alcohol was higher than females for all age groups except for 12-17yr olds (39% of females compared with 38% of males)

• Even though the stats look good Binge Drinking (and associated problems) is still an area of concern in young people.



Substance abuse contd..Tobacco• Tobacco use has declined since 1999 for 12-15 year olds.

However rates in 16-17 year olds have not declined as rapidly

• 15-19 year olds – 8% smoked daily and 86% had never smoked

• Males were generally more likely to be daily smokers than females except in the 12–17yrs age group, where females were more likely to be daily smokers (3%) than males (2%)



Substance abuse contd..Illicit Drugs

• Use of Illicit drugs by 14–17 year olds has increased from 10% in 2007 to 13% in 2010

• 29% of 15–19 year olds had used an illicit drug in the preceding year

• Overall the most common types of illicit drugs by 14–17 year olds…

• 13% marijuana/cannabis ~up from 10% in 2007• 1% ecstasy ~down from 2% in 2007• 0.3% cocaine ~down from 0.5% in 2007



Road safety• Injury and poisoning accounts for 66% of deaths

in young people. Of this road traffic accidents account for 35%.

• Young people are seriously over represented in Road Traffic Accident stats. 20% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes were aged 17-25 (however this age group only accounts for 15% of licence holders).

• Males were 3 times more likely to die from road traffic accidents

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Better health for individuals What does health mean to individuals