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Core 1: Health Priorities in Australia

What actions are needed to address Australia’s health priorities?

Road and traffic related injuries

Road and traffic related injuries account for a large number of preventable deaths. The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has implemented many strategies which have successfully contributed to reducing the road toll over the past 20 years. These strategies aim to develop safer people, safer roads and safer vehicles.

The RTA has released a framework for the delivery of road safety in NSW titled Road Safety 2010 . This framework sets out how NSW can halve the current road toll and save 2000 lives by the year 2010. Road Safety 2010 identifies 5 areas for action within the framework. These are:

A new approach
Safer people
Safer roads
Safer vehicles
Community based action

Student activity
Listed below are the five focus areas of Road Safety 2010 . One component is identified in each area. To complete this activity follow these steps. Study each of the components from Road Safety 2010 using the link provided. Explain how this strategy or initiative relates to the action area/s of the Ottawa Charter. Record the strategy in the appropriate action area of the table on the Ottawa Charter table
Road Safety 2010 focus areas:
1. A new approach	page 4	Speed management
2. Safer people	page 6	Driver licensing - New graduated licensing scheme
3. Safer roads	page 9	Blackspot program
4. Safer vehicles	page 12	Safety interlocks
5. Community based action	page 14	Role of local government
Use the Ottawa Charter Worksheet to record your answers for this activity. Read the following case studies from the 4^th Annual Local Government Road Safety Conference. Analyse each case study in terms of how this initiative addresses the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter. Case studies Healthy Eating on the Road; contributing to road safety through improved fatigue management Fatalities and Accidents on Rural Main Roads (F.A.R.M) One Hit, That’s All Drink Safe Walk Safe: A Community Road Safety Project. Use the information gained from your work on the Ottawa Charter framework and your knowledge of Road and traffic related injuries to: explain how the community could further address the questions of inequity amongst different groups describe the roles of individuals, communities and governments under the new public health approach. prepare an action plan to reduce road and traffic related injuries. The plan should target a group that has been identified as being at risk in this health area. Consider the following: the nature of the problem, current trends and the risk factors for the target group. Consider the information provided in Road and traffic related injuries. (Note: a target group is a group experiencing inequities in this area.) analyse and discuss the issues associated with this problem and develop a plan of action to address these issues using the principles of the Ottawa Charter.

Social justice is the valuing of the steps taken to strive toward decreasing or eliminating inequity in our society. The social justice value determines the planning of policies, programs and community actions. Social justice accepts that a single approach to a health issue will not be equally supportive for all social groups. Providing information in community languages and understanding varied cultures and their values are ways of recognising and responding to cultural diversity.

Complete the following student activities which examine some of the social justice issues relating to road and traffic related injuries.

Student activity
Answer the following questions on social justice, refer to information from Road and traffic related injuries and the links below: Why do indigenous groups experience a greater death rate due to road and traffic related accidents than the rest of the population? Refer to the statistical table found in social determinants Is access to health care equitable for all groups in terms of road and traffic related injuries? Consider education, access to emergency care and rehabilitation. Are services aimed at prevention, promotion or cure of road and traffic related accidents? Refer to Road Safety 2010 What power do individuals and communities have to contribute to public policy? Consider Road Safety 2010 as the public policy for NSW. What importance do different groups place on injuries as a health prioritiy? Consider the following groups: Young people, indigenous groups.

Student activity

Answer the following questions on social justice, refer to information from Road and traffic related injuries and the links below:

Why do indigenous groups experience a greater death rate due to road and traffic related accidents than the rest of the population? Refer to the statistical table found in social determinants
Is access to health care equitable for all groups in terms of road and traffic related injuries? Consider education, access to emergency care and rehabilitation.
Are services aimed at prevention, promotion or cure of road and traffic related accidents? Refer to Road Safety 2010
What power do individuals and communities have to contribute to public policy? Consider Road Safety 2010 as the public policy for NSW.
What importance do different groups place on injuries as a health prioritiy? Consider the following groups: Young people, indigenous groups.