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(a) Explain how enabling, mediating and advocating actions can make sustainable improvements for disadvantaged groups - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 31 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 31
(a) Explain how enabling, mediating and advocating actions can make sustainable improvements for disadvantaged groups. (b) Assess the effectiveness of government fu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) Explain how enabling, mediating and advocating actions can make sustainable improvements for disadvantaged groups - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 31 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how enabling, mediating and advocating actions can make sustainable improvements for disadvantaged groups.
Answer
To enhance the health of disadvantaged groups, enabling, mediating, and advocating actions are crucial:
Enabling Actions
Enabling involves empowering individuals with the necessary resources and skills to make informed health choices. This includes providing education and access to essential services. For instance, health promotion initiatives that communicate the dangers of tobacco smoking enable individuals to make healthier choices. Such initiatives serve as a critical step in equalizing health disparities.
Mediating Actions
Mediating focuses on fostering collaboration among different sectors to address health challenges. It involves encouraging partnerships between government agencies, community organizations, and health services to create comprehensive health strategies. When stakeholders work together, they can ensure that health policies reflect the diverse needs of disadvantaged groups, thus promoting equitable health outcomes.
Advocating Actions
Advocacy is essential for bringing attention to the specific health needs of disadvantaged groups. It involves rallying community support and influencing decision-makers to prioritize health resources for vulnerable populations. For example, campaigns that address issues like mental health or specific chronic conditions among disadvantaged groups can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes. Advocacy efforts promote awareness and influence health policies that address the underlying factors contributing to health inequities.
Step 2
Assess the effectiveness of government funding aimed at improving the health status of Australians.
Answer
Government funding plays a vital role in shaping the health landscape in Australia, and its effectiveness can be assessed on several levels:
Allocation of Resources
Government funding is often directed toward addressing specific health issues and populations. For example, substantial funds are allocated to mental health services, early childhood health initiatives, and programs targeting chronic diseases. This financial support aids in the provision of necessary healthcare services and improves access for disadvantaged groups, thereby enhancing overall health outcomes.
Community Engagement
Engagement with communities is essential for effective funding. By involving communities in decision-making, government programs can better address local health priorities. Programs that incorporate community feedback often lead to higher levels of trust and participation, which are key for successful health interventions.
Long-term Trends
Assessing long-term health outcomes provides a clearer picture of funding effectiveness. For instance, initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates have shown positive trends over time, indicating that ongoing investment yields sustainable improvements in public health.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite these successes, challenges exist. Funding can sometimes be limited or inconsistent in addressing all the needs within a community. Moreover, bureaucratic hurdles and misalignment with the actual health needs of populations may impede the effectiveness of funded programs. Therefore, ongoing evaluation and adjustment are essential to ensure that government funding meets its intended goals and positively impacts the health status of Australians.