Explain how epidemiological data on mortality rates can be used to identify priority health issues in Australia. (5 marks)
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*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method to show cause and effect: [P] State the cause/factor [E] Show how it causes the effect [Ev] Evidence demonstrating why/how [L] Reinforce the causal relationship.
*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method to show cause and effect: [P] State the cause/factor [E] Show how it causes the effect [Ev] Evidence demonstrating why/how [L] Reinforce the causal relationship.
- [P] Mortality data identifies leading causes of death.
- [E] This causes health authorities to allocate resources to high-fatality conditions.
- [Ev] For example, because data shows cardiovascular disease and cancers kill the most Australians, it follows that funding should be increased for cardiac units and cancer research.
- [L] This direct link between death statistics and resource allocation ensures targeted health interventions.
- [P] Age-standardised rates enable population comparisons.
- [E] This leads to identification of at-risk groups needing specific programs.
- [Ev] As a result, when data reveals Indigenous Australians have higher diabetes mortality, culturally-specific prevention programs are developed.
- [L] This relationship results in evidence-based health policies addressing population disparities.
- [P] Premature mortality measures highlight youth deaths.
- [E] This causes prioritisation of conditions affecting younger populations.
- [Ev] Premature mortality measures like potential years of life lost (PYLL) data shows suicide and road accidents are major causes of early death, leading to youth mental health initiatives and road safety campaigns.
- [L] This demonstrates why mortality analysis drives prevention strategies beyond just total death counts.