Public Health | Assignment | 1

Running head: PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC HEALTH
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1PUBLIC HEALTH
Project Focus
The primary focus of the project is to adapt public health promotional activities in
order to improve the holistic health status of adolescent and young individuals that belong to
the lower economic category and are residents of the Brimbank city. Epidemiological studies
in combination with research reports reveal that smoking and unhealthy diet consumption is a
major problem existing within the adolescents and youth residing within the premises of the
Brimbank city (Vu.edu.au 2019). The epidemiological data suggests that a total of 61.42%
within the Brimbank city are obese which is lower compared to the national standard or the
prevalence data of Melbourne but higher enough to be an alarming concern (Vu.edu.au
2019). It should be noted in this regard that unhealthy lifestyle and lack of physical exercises
is associated with a number of issues and risk factors that include complications in relation to
cardiovascular disorders, hypertension, Diabetes, certain types of cancers as well as hormonal
imbalance (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019). The reported health data reveal
that obesity and associated holistic health outcome is a primary health concern within the
Brimbank city which requires immediate attention and on account of the same reason a health
promotion project would be developed so as to improvise the health status of the adolescent
and youth.
Outline of health issue:
The prevalence of obesity has been reported to be equivalent to 45.16% within the
Brimbank city which is an alarming figure in relation to the poor health outcome
(Aihw.gov.au 2019). Research studies mention that the negative consequence of obesity
include increased risk to acquire cchronic health disorders such as Hypertension, Diabetes
Type II and cardiovascular disorders (Aihw.gov.au 2019). It should further be noted in this
regard that individuals who were reported to be overweight or obese during the late childhood

2PUBLIC HEALTH
are also susceptible to develop juvenile Diabetes and disorders related to malfunctioning of
the kidney (Oestreich and Moley 2017). Research reports also suggest that the prevalence of
cardiovascular disorders and Diabetes Type II within Brimbank is the highest and Brinbank
has the highest rate of infant hospitalizations compared to Melbourne and other states on
account of chronic illness disorders (Oestreich and Moley 2017). Specifically, in this regard,
it should be noted that the region of Brimbank Sunshine has the highest incidence of
mortality related to poor cardiovascular problems compared to mortality across other states
and territories of Australia (Vu.edu.au 2019). Also, the prevalence of obesity is the highest
within Brimbank among the adolescent and young individuals which suggests that there is an
increased need to adapt interventions so as to improve the holistic health status of the
identified segment of the population (Vu.edu.au 2019).
Health Issues:
A number of initiatives have been undertaken by the Australian Government both at
the state as well as the national level in order to prevent obesity and poor health outcome. In
this regard, it is integral to note that the NPHS or the National Preventive Health Strategy in
the year 2009 developed a vision for devising improved measures to appropriately address
concerns related to obesity (Vu.edu.au 2019). The vision of the NPHS was to reduce the
prevalence of obesity and make Australia a healthy nation by the end of 2020. The key
objectives of the articulated program included the following:
 Reducing the incidence rate of obesity
 Effectively reducing the rate of smoking within the population of Brimbank, and
 Disseminating awareness in relation to excessive alcohol intake and its association
with obesity

3PUBLIC HEALTH
Health Issues and its implications:
A joint venture had been developed and was operated both by the Federal and State
level authorities to address the problem of obesity within Australia. The venture is referred to
as the NHPA or the National Health Priority Area and is managed majorly by the authority of
the organizations managed by the government as well as the non-governmental organizations
(Vu.edu.au 2019). The health promotional programs focused on the issue of obesity and the
associated health problems which could drastically impact the overall health outcome of the
complete population base. In addition to this, it should further be noted that a total of 9
aspects were defined as national health priorities that included fall dementia, arthritis,
musculoskeletal disorders, Diabetes, Obesity, Asthma, mental health, cardiovascular
disorders, Cancer and injury prevention (Vu.edu.au 2019).
Justification for the choice of health issue:
In relation to the 9 identified care priorities, Obesity has been chosen as the health
issue that affects a major proportion of the population. Research reports reveal that the level
of physical exercise and active lifestyle led by the citizens of Brimbank is comparatively
lower than the residents of Victoria (Aihw.gov.au 2019). The prevalence of obese male
within Brimbank is equivalent to 20.04% against 17.3% with respect to the data recorded in
Victoria. Also, the prevalence of obesity among women is equivalent to 21.3% against 17.4%
as reported in Victoria (Aihw.gov.au 2019). Also, the statistical report on health behaviours
suggests that the percentage of individuals who do not meet the recommended fruit and
vegetable guideline within Brimbank is equivalent to 57.5% as reported in males and 42.2%
as reported in females. Also, the percentage of soft beverage consumers on everyday basis is
equivalent to 17.7% as against 15.9% as reported with respect to the data reported in Victoria
(Aihw.gov.au 2019). Research reports further reveal that the percentage of men who do not