Promoting Child and Adolescent Health Outcomes in Australia (Essay Sample)

PROMOTING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH OUTCOMES IN AUSTRALIA
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Promoting Child and Adolescent Health Outcomes in Australia
Introduction
The Nest action agenda is an Australian national plan for promoting the health and wellbeing of children and youth (ARACY 2014). Since its inception, ARACY has documented evidence showing that Australian infants and young people are lagging behind in various aspects of global health and wellbeing indicators. The lag is in comparison to the member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the realm of education, health, child poverty, family, and deprivation. In the effort to address the lag or to ensure that all young Australians (0-24 years of age) have access to basic needs, education, health, and are participating in various societal activities, the Nest action agenda established six priority directions, which serve as objectives and guiding principles towards the realization of its vision. Central to this research, the paper explores the third priority direction of the Nest action agenda, which is to improve the physical health of young Australians. In line with this priority direction, the paper highlights the present state of child and youth health and wellbeing in Australia. Further, the key determinants of health and well being are noted. Lastly, the paper will present evidence-based strategies meant to assist stakeholders achieve the goals and vision of the Nest action agenda.
Improving the physical health and current Status of child and youth health and wellbeing Australia
The intent of improving the physical health of Australian children and adolescents is to ensure that the county ranked within the top 5 OECD members states by 2025 (ARACY 2014). In terms of physical health outcomes, Australia was ranked at position 17 out of 30 OECD member countries (ARACY 2014). In the list, Australia fell in the first third for 12 of the 46 indicators compared. 20 of the key indicators fell in the central third and 14 of them fell in the last third (ARACY 2014). Australia still ranks poorly on some indicators of employment and youth education, including income inequality, infant mortality, pre-school attendance and jobless families. As recognized by ARACY (2014), physical health or development of child and adolescents has a strong influence on the outcomes in health, education and life success. It is also broadly recognized that socio-economic inequality has a direct influence on an array of adverse life outcomes (AIFS 2002; ARACY 2014). The influence begins in the early stages of human development by impacting on environmental experiences including nutrition and parenting. Furthermore, it is becoming clearer that most of the problems in adulthood such as mental disorders, crime, and addictive behavior have traces of the environments and experiences encountered during early childhood. There are significant socio-economic inequalities in child and adolescent health. The disparities are apparent in accessing and resourcing services. Additionally, the challenge of mental health disorders among the youth is far greater if the groups at risk are put into account (Australian Government; Department of Health 2012). The group at high risk includes children and adolescents with learning difficulties or development disabilities. The health needs of young people rural parts of Australia are still greater than in urban areas (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014). To achieve the national agenda, such discrepancies must be addressed under service delivery efforts.
Key determinants of health and wellbeing
According to ARACY (2014), the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents in Australia are largely affected by the built environments or neighborhoods. Lack of green spaces and fear of crime has a negative influence on physical health, as well as social and emotional wellbeing of young people (ARACY 2012). According to Sheffield & Landrigan (2011), children are also vulnerable to climatic changes as 88% of diseases triggered by the changes affect children. The key themes or indicators used as the basis of establishing and promoting the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia are: healthy; learning; participating; material basics; love and safety; and supportive environments CITATION ARA13 \l 1033 \m Aus12 (ARACY 2014; Australian Government; Department of Health 2012). Being healthy entails mental health, physical health, nutrition, reduced injury deaths, reduced substance abuse, dental health, reduced youth violence and improved self-esteem (ARACY 2014). The aspects of love and safety encompass family, stability, and friendly networks. Related to love and safety is the provision of material basics, including food, clothing, and shelter. Learning is essential in terms of academic achievement. Beyond participation in learning, self-development is valuable for wellbeing. Effective health and wellbeing promotion and early intervention strategies designed for children and young Australians cover an array of stakeholders and environments that are different from the ones targeting the adult population. Therefore, systems and environments play a critical role in young people’s health and wellbeing. They mainly comprise childcare settings and services, schools and youth services. Further, parents play a significant role in the young people’s health and wellbeing, especially in learning and health activities.
Evidence-based strategies for achieving the vision of the Nest action agenda
To improve the physical health of infants, children, and adolescents in Australia, antenatal services should be readily accessible. School-based interventions should also be expanded to manage asthma and other respiratory diseases. Additionally, oral health can be improved through education and promotion provided to parents. Child-friendly neighborhoods and environments should be developed in congruence with the framework provided by the UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFC; UNICEF 2014). According to the Australian Department of Health (2012), good nutrition, regular exercise, and healthy eating are essential in preventing diet-related conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease diabetes, and some cancers. Infant health can also be improved by expanding the existing strategies to promote breastfeeding. School curriculum must also include and implement physical activities, healthy eating, and body image. Teenage pregnancies can be addressed through school-based sex education programs (ARACY 2014; ARACY 2014). In congruence with the Nest action agenda, the Australian government and other stakeholders emphasizes on capacity building within local territories (AIFS 2002; Australian Government; Department of Health 2012). To optimize the role of healthcare workforce in early intervention and promotion, emphasis is pl...