Comparing Historical and Contemporary Healthcare for CHD in Australia

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison of the historical and contemporary contexts of healthcare for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Australia. It begins by outlining the prevalence of CHD, its risk factors, and the challenges faced in the past, including limited medical facilities, lack of awareness, and inadequate diagnostic tools. The essay then contrasts these historical aspects with the current state of healthcare, highlighting advancements in medical treatments like Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Cardiac Rehabilitation, increased awareness of risk factors, and improved access to healthcare services. The analysis includes statistical data on mortality rates, the impact of lifestyle changes, and the role of organizations like the National Heart Foundation and the NHS in promoting public health. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significant improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CHD over time, leading to decreased mortality rates and an overall enhancement of healthcare outcomes in Australia. References include journal articles, books and online resources.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE HISTORICAL AND
CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTS OF HEALTHCARE IN
AUSTRALIA

ESSAY
Present study is based on coronary heart disease (CHD) in Australia. Lung cancer,
obstructive pulmonary sickness, Alzheimer illness etc. are some major health issues which are
causing death but maximum causing percentage of death approx 14.6% which is higher than any
other health problem is due to coronary heart disease. It is the illness which occurs due to excess
deposit of cholesterol and other substances in artery (Ball, Weaver and Kiel, 2013). Current
report will compare and contrast the historical and present context of coronary heart disease in
Australia.
Coronary heart disease is a disease in which surplus of cholesterol block arteries or
arteries become narrowed and that creates problem in oxygen blood supply to heart. According
to published statement by National Heart foundation of Australia various psycho social risk
factors increased risk of CHO. As per the report of 2011 above 18 age people got suffer from
this health issue. 2.3 million lives were suffering at that time with CHD and most of the people
faced angina which was caused because of this disease. Earlier people were not that much aware
about the diet and physical activities. So they were more having fast food and oily meal. That
resulted heavy weigh which increased their weight. Because of these unawareness public were
suffering from high blood pressure, sugar and other more diseases. That was the main reason of
high rate of coronary heart disease in UK. Ratio of persons those who suffered with heart attack
was more in men than woman. Medical facilities were improper and professionals were not
having advanced equipment at time (Germov, 2014). Even as age grow ratio and condition
remain critical in both sexes. 8611 lives faced heart attack in 2013 which was on average 24
persons each day.
According to the report of National health services approx 11% people were found in the
condition of hypertension or 2.1 million lives were suffering from it which is the main reason of
CHD. 18% people reported long term cardiovascular problem as per NHS survey 2004-2005.
Health care services were not good, less promotion activities were taking place. Even medical
professional were not having such advanced technologies which can diagnose hypertension in
early stage. In the recession time people were suffering from economic problems and caused
great risk of coronary heart problem and related mortality. Health care organizations were not
that much aware about the effective treatment process. Less awareness in lives were there in

2011, inadequate physical activity were there that caused overweight and obesity, poor nutrition
that increased diabetes these all conditions enhanced, caused and result increased CHD. Report
of NHS 2004-2005 showed that hypertensive disease rate get increased by 14% in 45-54 aged
people and in adults it was increased 3% than previous year. 2012 report of doctors or
professional persons discussed that 7% lives were suffering with high blood cholesterol. Above
65 aged people were approx 22% who were having high blood cholesterol. Heart failure, stroke,
high blood pressure etc. are main outcomes of CHD. As per the statistical data of 2004-05 34%
were suffering with overweight, 17% were obese people. Diabetes is one of the reason of
increasing CHD. Survey of WHO in 2012 showed that 60% lives were having diabetes.
Coronary heart disease is leading cause of death in Australia (Henderson and et.al, 2014).
Accounting records of 2011 discussed that 36% death took place because of this disease. In 2004
19% males death and 18% female death accounted because of ischemic heart disease.
Over the period medical facilities have been developed, professionals are much more
aware with the surgical equipment. Even with the awareness about various health issues people
now giving focus on diet, physical activities and life style. Health care organizations are
continuously organizing health camps and making people aware regarding risk factors and
consequences of heart problems. Antiplatelet therapy efficacy was not much effective and due to
lack of medical equipment it was tough to diagnosis CHD in early stage. But now Coronary
Artery Bypass Grafting medical treatment has taken place which is a type of surgery which
supports to treat patients well. Cardiac Rehabilitation is one more advanced medical program
which assist in improving health of CHD patients. Earlier these all techniques were not available
for medical professional and they were restricted because of less diagnosis methods, By this way
from the history it was found that presently the rate of death is low than previous year. In 2014
local health agencies opened more hospitals in Australia with the support of NHS. Care homers
are now bound to arrange medical check up camps monthly. By this way people get to know
about disease in early stage. Deaths reduces up to 8% in Australia. Currently people are giving
time to physical activities like doing exercise and trying to keep maintain their cholesterol level.
Statistics shows that death rates is decreasing since 2012 in Australia. From 2012 impressive
development is being into account in Australia, prevention, treatment, diagnosis have developed
highly (Coronary heart disease, 2015).

From the NHS report it was found that 33% was diagnosed with high cholesterol in 2007.
But in 2014 it was identically decreased and in 2014 only 18% people were suffering from heavy
cholesterol. Above report explains that now people are aware about health and choosing correct
life style, doing proper exercise, taking proper diet to control over fat. By this way they are able
to mange their stress well that resulted as decreased rate of CHD patients in country. In 2011
overweight people were around 28%, figure were differ in both sex as 36% women and 26%
men were found overweight. But due to medical development and more awareness, currently
2015 records stated that actual figure has been fallen from 28% to 17%. People are more aware
about physical activities, exercise and healthy diet. WHO estimated that in 2008 7.3 million
patients were of heart disease. Over the period it reduced to 1.2 million till 2015. In 2013 approx
18969 women and girls found suffering from CHD it was less than from 2007 in which approx
48253 female patients were diagnosed. Biomedical factors have been improved to the great
extend, now people can analysis own self about high blood pressure and excess of cholesterol.
Now persons are aware about behavior factors so they are focusing on physical activities, proper
diet and correct life style. Diabetes, Stroke, chronic kidney problems which are complex but
associated with CHD. Prevalence rate of stroke has been increased up to five times in compare
with 2007. Prevalence rate of heart attack is increased up to ten times than 2007. With the
guidance of WHO, NHS and local health care agencies medicare benefits has been improved
which provide good care to patients, pharmaceutical benefits scheme which provide range of
medicines for the treatment of CHD (Henderson and et.al, 2014). National Stroke foundation,
National Heart foundation etc. provide funds to local medical care organizations. By this way
care homes are much more able to give proper attention to patients and they provide training to
nurses and primary health services can be provided by professionals effectively to patients.
Australian institute of health and welfare has funded and gave support to local hospitals which
gave benefit of reducing health, social and economic burden in Australia.
Coronary heart disease is the major disease in Australia, above report concluded history
of this health issue, facts and figures of deaths occurred since 2007. Study showed current
situation of country and to the great extend disease and causes has been decreased. Major
improvements like medical facilities, professional education, support from WHO, awareness etc.

all resources help health care to reduce CHO in Australia. All these factors have been concluded
in above report.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ball, M., Weaver, C. and Kiel, J. (2013). Healthcare information management systems: Cases,
strategies, and solutions. Springer Science & Business Media.
Germov, J. (2014). Second opinion: an introduction to health sociology| NOVA. The University
of Newcastle's Digital Repository.
Henderson, J. and et.al. (2014). How is primary health care conceptualised in nursing in
Australia? A review of the literature. Health & social care in the community. 22(4). pp.337-
351.
Online
Coronary heart disease, (2015). [Online] Available through:
<http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Coronary-heart-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx>. [Accessed
on 27th August 2016].