3.2.1 (reasons for improvements to HS) Flashcards
Public health
The ways in which governments monitor, regulate, + promote health status and prevent disease.
Old public health
Government actions that focused on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease (eg. providing safe water, etc)/
Policies + practices relating to old public health
- Est. gov funded water + sewage systems.
- Elimination of housing slums
- Quarantine laws
- Improved food + nutrition
- Improved working conditions
- Est. of public health campaigns
- More hygienic birthing practices
- Mass vaccinations
Health promotion
The process of enabling people to receive increased control over + improve their health.
- Behavioural change
The biomedical approach to health
Focuses on the physical/biological aspects of disease + illness. It is a medical mode practised by doctors + health professionals, + is associated with the diagnosis, treatment, + cure of disease.
Advantages of the biomedical approach
- Funding brings about improvements in tech + research.
- Enables effective treatment of many conditions.
- Extends LE
- Improves quality of life + HALE (many chronic conditions can now be managed).
Disadvantages of the biomedical approach
- Relies on professional healthy workers + tech (costly).
- Doesn’t always promote goods H+WB (encourages reliance on quick fix).
- Not every condition can be treated.
- Affordability.
New public health
An approach to health that expands the traditional focus on individual behavioural change to one that considers the ways in which physical, sociocultural, + political environments impact on health.
Social model of health
An approach that recognises improvements in H+WB can only be achieved by directing effort towards addressing the physical, sociocultural, + political environments of health that have an impact on individuals + population groups.
Principles of the social model of health
- Addresses the broader determinants of health (behavioural determinants = smoking, healthy eating, etc but are often influence by broader determinants = SES, where you live, etc).
- Involves intersectoral collaboration
- Acts to reduce social inequalities (eg. age, gender, race, etc).
- Acts to enable access to healthcare
- Empowers individuals + communities
Advantages of the social model of health
- Promotes good H+WB + assists in preventing disease
- More holistic approach
- Less expensive
- Focuses on vulnerable population groups
- Education can be passed through generations
- Responsibility for H+WB is shared
Disadvantages of the social model of health
- Not every illness can be prevented
- Doesn’t promote development of medical knowledge + tech
- Doesn’t address H+WB concerns of individuals
- Health promotion messages can easily be ignored
The Ottawa Charter for health promotion
An approach to health developed by the world health organisation (WHO) that aims to reduce inequalities in health. It reflects the social model of health + provides 5 action areas that can be used as a basis for improving health status, all of which are centered around 3 strategies for health promotion which are enabling, mediating, + advocacy.
Advocate
Advocacy for H+WB refers to actions designed to gain support from gov + societies that are necessary to improve H+WB for everyone (eg. media campaigns, public speaking).
- Trying to change the opinions of those who make public policies + laws.
Enable
Enabling everyone to achieve optimal H+WB through a focus of achieving equity in health, ensuring equal opportunities + resources available to all.
