According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2010), in 2010, injury was estimated to cause for 6.5% of the total burden of disease in Australia. Injury is one of the main cause of death and disability in Australia. An injury is the physical damage (bruise, broken bone or damage of the brain) or disruption to the structure or function of the human body inside or outside parts causing from exposure to excessive or deficient energy (Little & Ward Platt, 2008).
Injuries, with or without intention, are clearly a main threat to Australian public’s health. Each day Australian people from kids to adults suffers from injuries that due to falls, fires, poisoning, drowning and vehicle crashes. The consequences of injuries are the increasing in rates of death, hospitalisations, or costs. In 2005-06, the number of hospitalised injury cases due to falls in the elderly raised 10% since 2003-04 (Bradley & Pointer, 2008). Moreover, the cost to the health system for fall-associated injuries is significant with an estimation of $566.0 million in 2003-04 (Bradley & Pointer, 2008).
(b) List three websites
(i) Injury prevention in Australia http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-injury-index.htm (ii) Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/index.htm (iii) Child Accident Prevention Foundation Australia: Kidsafe http://www.kidsafe.com.au/about.html (c)
Assessment 3 – Service Learning
Injury prevention in Australia Question Comment/Information
1 What is the organisation/service’s name? Injury prevention in Australia http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-strateg-injury-index.htm 2 What is the main aim/s or key focus areas of the organisation/service? • -To reduce risk of falls across all age groups;
3 Who are the main group of people that provide the website (e.g., health professionals, support groups) -Australian Government: Department of Health
4 Which group or individuals is the organisation/service focused to assisting? -All age group.
-Non-Indigenous Australian aged 65 years or more
-Indigenous Australian aged 55 years or more
5 What type of resources does the organisation/service provide (eg videos, factsheets, newsletters)? Give examples. -Reports from National Public Health Partnership (NPHP), Canberra for usefully and collectively to decrease the burden and severity of falls associated with injury among the elderly. http://www.nphp.gov.au/publications/sipp/fallplan.pdf
6 What specifically is provided for injury management (and list the type of injury)? -To provide the opportunities for the elderly to take part in regular exercise programs
-To improve the quality in daily nutrition intake that help to strengthen and provide balance
-Encourage/educate older people to develop a proactive risk management mindset to prevent risk of falls by managing medications or identify risk factors such as poor vision or footwear etc.
7 What specifically is provided for injury prevention (and list the type of injury)? -Work with local partnerships.
-Form safer environments and products: reduce slipping hazards through designs/environments/systems that are used by the elderly such as public places or retirement villages etc.
-Educating staff in aged care/acute care and community staff about falls and fall related injuries among the elderly.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Question Comment/Information
1 What is the organisation/service’s name? Department of Justice and Attorney-General: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ)