Health and Human Development Unit 3: Australia's Health in a Globalised World

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. 

Course Description

This unit looks at health, wellbeing and illness as multi-dimensional, dynamic and subject to different interpretations and contexts. Students begin to explore health and wellbeing as a global concept and to take a broader approach to inquiry. As they consider the benefits of optimal health and wellbeing and its importance as an individual and a collective resource, their thinking extends to health as a universal right. Students look at the fundamental conditions required for health improvement, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). They use this knowledge as background to their analysis and evaluation of variations in the health status of Australians. Area of Study 2 focusses on health promotion and improvements in population health over time. Students look at various public health approaches and the interdependence of different models as they research health improvements and evaluate successful programs. While the emphasis is on the Australian health system, the progression of change in public health approaches are considered within a global context.

Areas of Study

Understanding health and wellbeing

• Students explores health and wellbeing and illness as complex, dynamic and subjective concepts.
• The major focus is on the health of Australians, however students also analyse that Australia’s health is not isolated from the rest of the world.
• Students inquire into the WHO’s prerequisites for health and wellbeing and reflect on both the universality of public health goals and the increasing influence of global conditions on Australians.
• Students develop their understanding of the indicators used to measure and evaluate health status, and the factors that contribute to variations between population groups in Australia.

Promoting health and wellbeing

• Students look at different approaches to public health over time, with an emphasis on changes and strategies that have succeeded in improving health and wellbeing.
• Students examine the progression of public health in Australia since 1900, noting global changes and influences such as the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the general transition of focus from the health and wellbeing of individuals to that of populations.
• Students investigate the Australian health system and its role in promoting health and wellbeing. They conduct a detailed study on a successful health promotion campaign or program, and inquire into priorities for health improvements in Australia.

Assessment

Outcomes	Assessment Tasks	Marks Allocated
	(school-assessed coursework)
Explain the complex, dynamic and global nature of health and wellbeing, interpret and apply Australia’s health status data and analyse variations in health status.	The student’s performance on each outcome is assessed using one or more of the following: • a short written report, such as a media analysis, a research inquiry, a blog or a case study analysis; • oral presentation, such as a debate or a podcast; • a visual presentation such as a graphic organiser, a concept/mind map, an annotated poster, a digital presentation; • structured questions, including data analysis.	50
Explain changes to public health approaches, analyse improvements in population health over time and evaluate health promotion strategies.		50
Total Marks		100

Overall Final Assessment

Graded Assessment	Title	Assessment	Exam Duration	Contribution to Study Score (%)
1	Unit 3 Coursework	School-assessed		25
2	Unit 4 Coursework	School-assessed		25
3	Written Examination	November	2 hours	50

 

Information can be obtained from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Victoria, Australia: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au