What role do health care facilities and services play in achieving better health for all Australians?

Health Care in Australia.
From HSC ONLINE:


 * The Australian health care system is vital in maintaining and improving the health of all Australians.
 * Government and non-government sectors work together to improve the provision of health care. Health care services are funded and provided by the public and private sectors.
 * The health care system provides diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and health prevention and promotion campaigns.
 * The Commonwealth’s funding includes two national subsidy schemes - Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
 * Emerging new treatments and technologies can improve access to better health care and provide early detection for chronic disease, however, can be very costly.
 * Medicare provides a base level of cover for all Australians. Individuals can choose to pay for private health insurance as well which increases cover for health care.
 * Factors which impact on the health care system include a growing and ageing population, equity of access for certain population groups and high levels of preventative disease.

Visit this link and read pages 5-12 for deaper understanding : http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/EBA6536E92A7D2D2CA256F9D007D8066/$File/ozhealth.pdf

 Complementary and alternative health care approaches From HSC ONLINE:


 * Complementary and alternative health care approaches have rapidly grown in popularity.
 * The reasons for growth of complementary and alternative health care approaches are due to increased demand from consumers and recognition by governments of the benefits and cost subsidies through private health insurance.
 * There is a diverse range of products and services that offer prevention and management for specific conditions and maintenance of health.
 * Regulatory authorities and professional associations have been put in place to ensure the credibility of complementary and alternative health care approaches.
 * There are still many skeptics of complementary and alternative health care approaches due to limited evidence of their success.
 * Some complementary and alternative health care approaches can interfere with conventional medical management and treatment. It is important to inform medical practitioners if you are using other treatments.
 * Individuals need the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding their health and the use of complementary and alternative health care approaches.