Description

Prompt

Task: The assignment involves writing a short essay on the connections between health and social care

Your task is to briefly review the current state of health and social care planning and connect that to Asthma, and which is having a health and social care systems impact, in Australia. Consider planning as an evidence-informed process and the long-term impacts of chronic disease on individuals, communities, and systems in writing your essay.

Length: 1200 words excluding reference list

Format: APA 7th edition

Asthma in Australia: Evaluating Health and Social Care Planning Amid Evolving Challenges

Introduction

Australia reports one of the highest global prevalence rates of asthma. In 2022, 10.8% of the population—approximately 2.8 million people—received a diagnosis of this ambulatory care-sensitive condition (ACSC) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023). Asthma-related hospitalizations constitute one of the ten National Indicators used for population health monitoring. Despite this, Australia’s hospitalization rate for asthma remains relatively lower compared to other countries (Terry et al., 2017). These figures have drawn attention to the adequacy of healthcare planning in addressing the burden placed on the country’s health and social care systems.

The urgency to enhance healthcare and social planning has intensified in response to recurring thunderstorm asthma events (Lindstrom et al., 2017). While Australia has made significant strides in asthma management through improved education, treatment guidelines, and resource allocation, persistent gaps in healthcare planning resulting from unpredictable environmental events, evolving patient needs, and system-wide capacity limitations continue to challenge the nation’s ability to effectively respond to asthma-related health crises.

State of Health and Social Care Planning to Manage Asthma

Health professionals manage asthma by applying the prevailing clinical understanding that the disease is controllable, guided by various evidence-based diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Healthcare systems can improve planning by equipping general practices, pharmacies, and nurse-run hotlines with education and support to respond swiftly during asthma crises (Lindstrom et al., 2017). Effective interventions include asthma education, personalized asthma action plans, inhaler technique training, and strategies to reduce adverse asthma-related outcomes while enhancing symptom control. The Australian National Asthma Council’s (NAC) Asthma Handbook recommends integrating self-management practices with appropriate and titrated pharmacological therapy (Tan et al., 2018). By combining patient education with the development of evidence-based guidelines, health systems can improve the quality and responsiveness of chronic asthma care.

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