Addressing SDH in Health Policy Rationale

Running head: PUBLIC HEALTH, POLICY AND SOCIETY
Assessment 2: Addressing SDH in Health Policy Rationale
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1PUBLIC HEALTH, POLICY AND SOCIETY
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
1) Health Issues: Drug Addiction/Substance abuse...................................................................2
2) Particular Population Affected by Drug/Substance Abuse: The Indigenous Population in
Australia.....................................................................................................................................3
3) Health Outcomes of Drugs/Substance Abuse in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 3
4) Social Determinants of Drugs/Substance Abuse among the Indigenous Australians...........7
5) Health Policies implemented by Australian Government....................................................11
6) Potential Stakeholders to address the social determinants of the health to mitigate
Drugs/Substance Abuse...........................................................................................................12
Conclusion................................................................................................................................15
Reference List..........................................................................................................................16

2PUBLIC HEALTH, POLICY AND SOCIETY
Introduction
Public health referred to as the art and the science of promoting prolonging life and human
health along with preventing diseases through informed and organized efforts of the
community. The purpose of the essay is to the discussion about the health issue that largely
impacts the well-being of the nation's population. The impact of identified health issue will
be outline related to a specific population. The social determinants of the health issues will be
supported using evidence from the literature. The responsibility of the improving and
maintaining public health lies with every section of the society and for these several policies
undertaken by the government of Australia is related to the prevention of drug and substance
abuse will be the discussion. Further, potential stakeholders with the help of which social
determinants of health issues can be mitigated are also given in the essay.
1) Health Issues: Drug Addiction/Substance abuse
Among several other health issues, the concern related to substance abuse or drug addiction
has been focused here. In reference to health issues like drug addiction, the nation like
Australia cannot be escaped from the respective global issue. As per the statistics it has been
at the top in respect to drug abusers. Almost one in twenty Australian has noted to have a
hard time with health issues of drug or substance abuse (Healthdirect, 2019). Any substance
use disorder includes the use of a large amount of alcohol, other drugs or tobacco. It might be
termed as substance addiction, substance dependence or abuse.

3PUBLIC HEALTH, POLICY AND SOCIETY
2) Particular Population Affected by Drug/Substance Abuse: The Indigenous
Population in Australia
The consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs has been a significant cause of illness
and preventable diseases in Australia. This essay consolidates the ill impact of substance
abuse and drug addiction among the Indigenous population of Australia. The most largely
abused substance in the nation is alcohol and tobacco. On the other hand, smoking has been a
single general preventable cause of death and sickness among the peoples in the community
(AIHW, 2019).
3) Health Outcomes of Drugs/Substance Abuse in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders
Addiction has been chronic disease featured by use and drug seeking that are hard to control,
compulsive, irrespective of harmful consequences. There are several people that enjoy
drinking now or then. Drug Addiction or Substance abuse occurs at a time when an individual
loses control of their drugs and alcohol consumption. At the time when drug or substance
starts to cause harm like medical issues, injuries, the problem at works or hampering
relationships, it might be a sign of a habit becoming a concern. The indigenous group of
Australia that noted to be high on substance abuse and drug addiction are encountering long
term health concern. With the continuous usage of drugs, the brain adapts by decreasing the
capability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. The long term has also led alternation
in brain circuits and chemical system affecting functions like judgement, decision-making,
learning, memory, behaviour and stress. Carswell (2019) added that Australia is inglorious
unique of gaining high proportion of recreational drugs user across globe-an embarrassing
albeit, new low from being high. Australia is a flourishing country and holiday resort to
several people across the globe. The illicit drugs are easier to find at popular clubs, streets