Diabetes in The Australian Population

Running head: HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
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1HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Introduction
The following paper will hence briefly discuss the proposed process of needs assessments
with regards to diabetes in the Australian population.
Discussion
Australian Health Issue
According to the survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2018),
diabetes mellitus was responsible for the mortality of approximately 4770 individuals in the year
2016. Further, the prevalence of this metabolic illness was approximately thrice as high across
Indigenous Australian groups as well as those residing in remote locations in the nation.
Health Needs Assessment
As per the Health Needs Assessment Guide by the Department of Health (2015), the
needs assessment for diabetes can first comprise of a ‘service needs analysis’. This is will
include surveying the availability and accessibility of hospitals and clinics as well as workforce
(such as number of health professionals) across remote areas as well as those with highest
number of Indigenous populations. This is because one of the strongest contributors for diabetes
or any illness any remote area is the limited availability of healthcare services and resources
(Halim et al., 2018). As per the AIHW (2019), inclusion of the lived experiences of target
populations, in this case Aboriginal Australians will enhance the needs assessment. Inclusion of
lived experiences has been evidenced to enhance the cultural sensitivity of healthcare services –
a key contributor of illness across Indigenous groups (Halim et al., 2018).

2HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Conclusion
Thus, to conclude, integration of a service analysis and lived experiences of target
populations will assist in the development of an effective needs assessment for diabetes affected
populations in Australia.

3HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT
References
AIHW. (2018). Diabetes. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from
https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/c172c33e-776d-44b0-b549-546d58cee33d/aihw-aus-
221-chapter-3-8.pdf.aspx.
AIHW. (2019). Part two: How to do a needs assessment. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/cfca-paper/needs-assessment/part-two-how-do-
needs-assessment.
Department of Health. (2015). Needs assessment guide. Retrieved 20 March 2020, from
https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/98D184E26BF30004C
A257F9A000718F4/$File/PHN%20Needs%20Assessment%20Guide.pdf.
Halim, M. A., Halim, D. A., Corpus, R., & Goodman, A. (2018). Diabetes Control in Rural and
Remote Communities in Queensland: A Snapshot Look Into an Indigenous Cardiac
Outreach Program Cohort After Nearly 10 Years of Service. Heart, Lung and
Circulation, 27, S411.