Population health FAQs
FAQs presents answers to many of the frequently asked questions about the services and information on the AIHW website.
Contents
- What is population health?
- What is the National Health Information Development Plan?
- What is an indicator?
- What is a determinant of health?
- What is a conceptual framework and why are they used?
What is population health?
Population health can be best described as the study of health and disease in defined populations.
The Institute's population health work takes in a variety of issues concerned with differences in health between population subgroups, these include:
- Burden of disease
- Child and youth health
- Availability of and access to health services
- Rural health
- Environmental health
- Health comparisons with other countries
- The health of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- The health of mothers and infants
- Health system costs
- National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs)
- The development of public health information, data sources and reporting
- Health determinants and risk factors
For further information, you can contact the Population Health Unit.
What is the National Health Information Development Plan?
The objectives of the Plan are to promote the development of high priority health information and to increase the cost-effectiveness of Australian national health information. Click here for further information on this topic.
What is an indicator?
The term indicator is derived from the Latin root indicare which means to direct or to point out. In quantitative terms it is a statistic that extracts the best possible information from a data source for succinct presentation and regular monitoring. In qualitative terms, it describes a process or aspect of an issue that provides a lead to underlying trends.
What is a determinant of health?
A determinant of health is a factor that has been identified as having either a positive or harmful effect on health. Determinants are categorised by their influence on health as either structural (poverty or unemployment) or specific (tobacco use of physical activity).
What is a conceptual framework and why are they used?
A conceptual framework aims to assist with the understanding and presentation of a concept. It defines a set of terms associated with the concept and describes a systematic approach to the presentation of the features of the concept. Frameworks promote a common understanding of an issue. The National Public Health Partnership (NPHP) A Planning and Practice Framework for Public Health:
- promotes a common language for planning and practice;
- provides a systematic approach; and
- integrates action by recognising commonalities.
In the context of health and disease monitoring a framework provides specific context or delimits boundaries within which one must proceed.