In this essay factors that influence the health of Australians and the function of the Australian health care system relating to the priority population of prisoners in Australia will be discussed. The priority population will be described and the social determinants of health in particular drug addiction and unemployment will be explored and the influences that affect this group and their health. Social determinants of health are conditions in which people are born, grown, live, work, age, education levels and environment (WHO, 2013). In addition, the strategies that have been taken to help prevent further inequalities arising by the Australian health care system.
Prisoners are defined as adults whose confinement is the responsibility of a …show more content…
Of the 33,791 Australian prisoners 9,264 are of indigenous status (Prisoners in Australia, 2014, Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Prisoners tend to come from disadvantaged backgrounds characterized by high levels of unemployment, low educational attainment, drug and alcohol addiction, illiteracy and innumeracy and insecure housing.
Poor health and prisons are strongly associated with each other, this is why the group of prisoners and detainees have greater health needs than the general population, previous studies have found that the health of people in the correctional system is generally poorer than the general population, prisoners have high level mental disorders, chronic disease, illicit substance use, communicable diseases and disability.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) reports that a large group of those that are incarcerated have or do engage in risky health behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse (Health and Criminal Justice System, …show more content…
In Australia these types of social disadvantages can occur in cities, rural and remote communities such as education level, employment opportunities and poor housing.
In Australian prisons drug use by offenders is one of the biggest challenges facing Australia’s criminal justice system. In Australia it is estimated that between 37% and 52% report that their offending is attributable to their drug problem (National Corrections Drug Strategy, 2006).
‘Illicit Drug use’ describes the use of volatile substances, illegal drugs and the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes (AIHW, 2013, p74). The AIHW reports that 7 in 10 prison entrants used illicit drugs in the 12 months prior to prison and 1 in 2 entrants drank alcohol at risky level before entering prison (AIHW,
Prisoners are defined as adults whose confinement is the responsibility of a …show more content…
Of the 33,791 Australian prisoners 9,264 are of indigenous status (Prisoners in Australia, 2014, Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Prisoners tend to come from disadvantaged backgrounds characterized by high levels of unemployment, low educational attainment, drug and alcohol addiction, illiteracy and innumeracy and insecure housing.
Poor health and prisons are strongly associated with each other, this is why the group of prisoners and detainees have greater health needs than the general population, previous studies have found that the health of people in the correctional system is generally poorer than the general population, prisoners have high level mental disorders, chronic disease, illicit substance use, communicable diseases and disability.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) reports that a large group of those that are incarcerated have or do engage in risky health behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse (Health and Criminal Justice System, …show more content…
In Australia these types of social disadvantages can occur in cities, rural and remote communities such as education level, employment opportunities and poor housing.
In Australian prisons drug use by offenders is one of the biggest challenges facing Australia’s criminal justice system. In Australia it is estimated that between 37% and 52% report that their offending is attributable to their drug problem (National Corrections Drug Strategy, 2006).
‘Illicit Drug use’ describes the use of volatile substances, illegal drugs and the use of prescription drugs for non-medical purposes (AIHW, 2013, p74). The AIHW reports that 7 in 10 prison entrants used illicit drugs in the 12 months prior to prison and 1 in 2 entrants drank alcohol at risky level before entering prison (AIHW,