1. The National Health Priority Areas

2. Brainstorm Activity What are the NHPAs? How many are there?
Why do we have them?
Who has chosen them?
Come up with risk factors for each one you can think of.
What is a health promotion for each?
What do you think will happen to the Health Status of Australians by having them?

3. NHPAs
The National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) program is an initiative that addresses Australia’s major chronic diseases.
A chronic disease is one that is long term and has multiple, complex causes. Chronic diseases are associated with very high health care costs to the Australian tax payer.
People with chronic diseases use health services and medicines regularly over lengthy periods of time. These can then lead to other illness or conditions, eg type II diabetes can lead to Coronary Heart Disease.

4. Create a mind map with the person sitting next you about chronic disease.

5. Why do we have the program?
The NHPA program addresses the major chronic diseases and conditions as well as injuries.
It aims to increase public awareness and understanding of these health issues, and focus health policy on these areas.
The program provides a broad framework for each health problem-looking at the levels of care from prevention to rehabilitation.

6. Time Frame
In 1994 the Australian Health ministers identified 4 health priority areas: Cardiovascular health care, cancer control, injury prevention and control, and mental health.
In 1996 Diabetes mellitus was added.
In 1999 Asthma was added.
In 2002 Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions were added.
And in 2007 Obesity was included as the 8th.

7. Cardiovascular Health
Includes all diseases and conditions of the heart and blood vessels that are caused mainly by the damage to the blood supply to the heart, brain and legs.
Coronary heart disease (ischaemic heart disease) is the most common. Caused by the gradual build up on the inner walls of the arteries- Angina and heart attack.
Cerebrovascular diseases includes any conditions that cause disruption to the blood supply of the brain.

8. CVH- Reasons for selection
Remains the largest cause of premature death in Aus, accounting for 35% of all deaths in Aus in 2005.
It is the 2nd leading cause of disease burden, due to the number of years life lost prematurely but also the number of healthy years lost. (Directly relates to DALYs)
CVH is one of the leading causes of disability with about 1.4 million Australians suffering from a disability associated with CVH in 2005.
Also due its wide spread nature, potential for prevention and its economic strain on the health care system.

9. Risk Factors Biological factors:
Blood pressure (hypertension): Caused by diet of high salt, obesity and lack of exercise.
Body Weight: Excessive weight places more strain on the heart.
Sex: Being male is a risk factor.
Behavioural factors:
Smoking: due to a temporary increase in blood pressure and restriction on blood vessels.
Physical Inactivity: Decreased cardiovascular fitness.
Diet: High in saturated fat increases blood cholesterol levels.

10. Health Promotion Campaign
Measure up Health promotion campaign.