Traditional Chinese Medicinea Evergreen Plant Of Both Prevention And

Traditional Chinese Medicinea Evergreen Plant Of Both Prevention And Traditional Chinese Medicinea Evergreen Plant Of Both Prevention And Treatment For Chronic â€" Essay Example > Most of the burden of diseases is due to chronic diseases and its prevalence is increasing day in day out. For instance in Australia, chronic disease is responsible for around 80% of the total burden of decease, mental problems and injury as it is measured in terms of disability adjusted life years. There is an urgent need to respond to this health challenges so that the quality of life and well being of the society to be addressed and ensure that the health system is able to meet the demands it is subjected to by these conditions (Lopez et al 2006). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) defines chronic diseases as having complex and multiple causes, having gradual onset, although they are said to have sudden onset and acute stages, occurs across the life cycle although their impact is much felt at older age, are long term and persistent, leading to deterioration of health with time and finally life threatening and causing premature mortality. Chronic diseases are associated with high health care expenditure. They account for nearly 70% of allocated health expenditure (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2006). This means that the social economic status of the community is the most determinant of their access to the health care. There is therefore a need of the implementation of the Traditional Chinese medicines so as to remove the economic strain on the health sector as well as making the service available to all. It is a fact that chronic diseases place a lot of burden to the individuals, communities and health services but they are highly preventable so if actions are taken, it can be taken at bay (Sochalski, Jaarsma Krumholz 2009). Chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers are a major concern for they are preventable and are associated with risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol intake, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. The cost burden of chronic diseases is continuing to bite throughout the wo rld and the public health approach of prevention is the most cost effective, affordable and sustainable course of action to contain the epidemic. The cost of treating this disease requires costly medical interventions (Ernst 2002). Chronically ill workers take sick days, and therefore reduce the supply of labor and in the process the GDP. When they report to work places to avoid losing them, they perform far below par, presenteeism as it is referred to in contrast to absenteeism. Avoidable illnesses divert the productive capacity of caregivers adding to the reduction in labor supply for other uses. People with serious chronic diseases have poor quality of life and are less likely to secure jobs as compared to the others (Walker 2007). Chronic diseases are more prevalent in the marginalized and less advantaged communities, in particular the elderly, indigenous Australians, those who are socially and economically disadvantaged and people with physical and intellectual disabilities. In this case, those who are not capable of raising the cost of having their sicknesses treated end up suffering and incapable to work for their families and hence poverty brings this families down. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes, arthritis and respiratory diseases are the major killers in the world today and the major causes of illness, hospitalization, healthcare costs and long term disability (Schaefer Davis 2004).