Youth Health - The Forgotten Area Of Health Policy

Dr Glasson said the lessons learned about health in teenage years can stay with a person throughout life.

"As a community, we have to help our kids with their health education very early in their development," Dr Glasson said.

"A good start is to get the Government to scrap legislative amendments that would give parents access to their children's medical records up to the age of 16.

"The existing legislation gives young people access to confidential consultations with their doctor from the age of 14 and that's how it should be.

"For many young people, developing independence and self reliance is achieved with relative safety, but for some, their early teenage years of exploration and growth can involve high risk behaviour.

"Eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, unsafe sexual practices, use of tobacco and mental health issues affect many young people under 16 years of age.

"Young people should have the same respect, rights and responsibilities as older people.

"If a young person is able to make decisions regarding medical treatment, and wants that treatment to remain confidential, then their doctor must respect and maintain that confidentiality.

"By giving young people access to their own Medicare cards and appropriate and confidential health services, we are encouraging them to take responsibility for their health. 

"Any changes to the legislation which limit young people's access to confidential consultations with their doctor are poor health policy and poor social policy.

"More needs to be done about tobacco control, obesity and drug and alcohol abuse - all issues which have a big impact on the health of young Australians. 

"Too many Australian kids and teenagers, especially young girls, are taking up smoking despite the warnings.

"Childhood and adolescent obesity has trebled over the last decade.

"We need to see youth health policies that will help our kids gain health management independence and confidence," Dr Glasson said.

The AMA's Key Health Issues for the 2004 Election outlines public health concerns for young people (see attached) and is available at www.ama.com.au.

9 September 2004

CONTACT:      Judith Tokley                        (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

Public Health

 

4.6            Tobacco Control

 

 

Background

Smoking is the largest preventable cause of death and disease in Australia.

Key Issues for Patients

Smoking kills.

Too many Australians are still dying each year or contracting terminal illnesses due to smoking.

Too many Australian kids and teenagers - especially young girls - are taking up smoking despite the warnings.

Key Issues for Governments

Smoking-related illness places a huge burden on the Australian health system.

The Government recently took the soft option when implementing plans for shock warnings on cigarette packs.

While the Opposition is to be congratulated for adopting a policy of not accepting political donations from the tobacco industry, we are yet to see its full policy on tobacco control.

Not enough is being spent in combating smoking in Australia.

AMA Position

The AMA calls on the Government and the Opposition to release funded tobacco control policies before the election.

The AMA calls upon all governments to review relevant legislation with a view to banning smoking in all public places within 12 months of the legislation being passed.

The AMA believes all Australians have a right to a smokefree workplace.

The AMA calls on the Government to introduce the toughest possible graphic warnings on cigarette packets within six months of the legislation being passed.

The AMA calls on the Government to introduce legislation to prevent the tobacco companies stockpiling their products in anticipation of a change in health warnings.

The AMA calls for the introduction of generic cigarette packaging.

Public Health

4.7            Medicare Under 16 - Parental Access To Information

Background

The Federal Government in late 2003 announced that it would be amending legislation to allow parents to have access to their children's Medicare records up to the age of 16 years.

Reports from HIC (unsubstantiated) are that in the last year only six parents have sought to access their children's records.

All leading medical organisations as well as the peak youth and sexual health organisations in this country have uniformly condemned this legislation.

Key Issues for Patients

This legislation would create a barrier to young people accessing confidential health services.

Where possible and developmentally appropriate, doctors should afford young people the same respect, rights and responsibilities as older patients.  If a young person is able to make autonomous decisions regarding medical treatment, and wishes that treatment to remain confidential, then their doctor must respect and maintain that confidentiality.

As young people move through adolescence, relationships with their families and communities change. Issues relating to mental health, self-esteem, body image and sexuality are more prominent as self-awareness increases and youth develop their own identity.

For many young people, the transition to independence and self-reliance is achieved with relative safety and seen as a time for self-exploration and growth.  For others, however, it is a time of increased exposure to health-compromising behaviours such as eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, use of tobacco, and unsafe sexual practices.

Teenagers from all socio-economic backgrounds need a safe confidential source of health information and advice at a sensitive time in their development physically and emotionally.

Key Issues for Governments

It is understood that the Government will seek to re-introduce the legislation despite opposition within its own ranks, including an impassioned plea by Dr Mal Washer who revealed a teen suicide incident to illustrate the need to reject the legislation.

The Opposition has remained mute on the issue.

AMA Position

The AMA has lobbied quite aggressively over a considerable period against this proposal on the grounds that it fundamentally undermines the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship and erodes the principle of confidentiality.  We believe it is poor health policy and poor social policy that would place undue pressure on young Australians and their families.

Public Health

4.8            National Anti-Obesity Program

 

 

Background

 

Obesity in Australia is a national emergency that requires a whole of government approach to the issue.

The incidence of childhood and adolescent obesity has trebled over the last decade. Many of these children progress into adult obesity. Currently 56 per cent of Australian adults and 27 per cent of Australian children are overweight or obese.

New disorders presenting in obese adolescents include asthma, fatty liver, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnoea.

Key Issues for Patients

Poor health in children that could stay with them throughout life.

Adults with a poor quality of life and shorter life expectancy.

Low self esteem.

Key Issues for Governments

The Government has announced a $116 million package over four years to encourage more exercise and better eating habits among Australian children.  A good start but this is a whole-of-population issue that should be ongoing.

The Opposition has announced a proposal to ban all food advertisements during children's viewing hours.

AMA Position

The AMA released a comprehensive statement on combating obesity on 20 June 2004.

The AMA believes that should be a national anti-obesity program for all Australians - children and adults - based on good diet and regular exercise.

The AMA is calling on the Government and the Opposition to extend their current policies to provide permanent anti-obesity programs to get all Australians fitter and healthier.

Full details of the AMA's proposals are available on the AMA website.