Identify reasons for the differences in health care expenditure and health promotion expenditure in Australia. - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 21 - 2004 - Paper 1

Ratio of Funding: A significant reason for the differences is the ratio of funding allocated to health care versus health promotion. Health care tends to receive a larger portion of the budget due to the immediate needs associated with treating patients and managing health crises.

Population Health Needs: The allocation of funds can also be influenced by the specific health needs of the Australian population, such as the prevalence of chronic diseases, which necessitates greater spending on health care services.

Technological Advancements: In the health care sector, technological innovations often drive expenditure up. New treatments and technologies require significant investment, whereas health promotion may rely more on community engagement and education, which can be less costly.

Public Expectation and Demand: There exists a strong public expectation for immediate access to health care services, influencing government priorities and spending. Conversely, health promotion initiatives may not see the same level of immediate demand.

Shift in Priorities: Recently, there has been a shift towards investing in health promotion initiatives as part of the New Public Health Approach. While this represents an increase in health promotion funding, it still lags behind traditional health care funding due to established structures and systems.