AOS 1 Flashcards
Definition of Health
A complete state of physical, social, and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Definition of Well-being
A complex combination of all dimensions of health, characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy,capable and engaged.
Physical Health
Relates to the functioning of the body and its systems. It includes the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks. Physical health is supported by regular physical activity, a balanced diet, appropriate rest/sleep, maintaining an ideal body weight, and the absence of illness, disease, or injury.
Mental Health
The current state of well-being relates to the mind or brain and the ability to think and process information to form opinions and make decisions positively.
Social Health
‘Relates to the ability to form meaningful and satisfying relationships with others and the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations. Social health is supported by strong communication skills, empathy for others, and a sense of personal responsibility
Spiritual Health
Not material in nature but relates to ideas, beliefs, values, and ethics that arise in the minds and consciences of human beings. Spiritual health includes the concepts of hope, peace, a guiding sense of meaning or value, and reflection on your place in the world. Spiritual health can be highly individualised, for example, in some spiritual traditions, health may relate to organised religion, higher power, and prayer, while in other practices it can relate to morals, values, a sense of purpose in life, connection or belonging.
Emotional Health
Relates to the ability to express feelings positively. Emotional health is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions as well as the ability to display resilience. Emotional health is the degree to which you feel emotionally secure and relaxed in everyday life.
Age
Perceptions of health and well-being change as we age. In childhood, we focus on illness, but as we grow older, success, relationships, and work become more important. Values shift from friendships to career goals. These changes can affect mental health through self-esteem and self-concept.
Culture
Culture encompasses shared beliefs, behaviors, and customs of a group, often tied to ethnicity, religion, and location. It influences how individuals perceive health and well-being, as well as the importance they place on it. Cultural factors can impact lifestyle choices that affect health positively or negatively.
Gender
Cultural norms shape gender and influence perspectives on health and well-being. It also affects health-related behaviors, with females often taking a proactive and preventative approach to health. This difference is particularly noticeable in older individuals and is influenced by established gender roles.
Socioeconomic status
Refers to several different factors such as education, employment, and income. Combining these factors largely determines one’s socioeconomic status (SES). Having Low SES Leaves one prone to suffering ill health due to ill-informed choices which may be driven by lack of income and/or education. A high SES often means access to healthcare and better lifestyle choices due to readily available education and funds.
Religion
Religion can significantly impact their health and well-being, influencing their perspective and the importance they place on these resources. Specifically, religion can influence both the social and spiritual dimensions of health and well-being by providing a form of social support and an opportunity to interact with others and cooperatively participate in the community about the particular religion’s belief system.
Aboriginals Definition of Health
Aboriginal health” means not just the physical well-being of an individual but refers to the social, emotional, and cultural well-being of the whole Community in which each individual can achieve their full potential as a human being thereby bringing about the total well-being of their Community. It is a whole-of-life view and includes the cyclical concept of Life-death-Life
Why do we measure Health Status?
We measure health status in various ways so we can see patterns regarding health and ill health. This can be done by measuring aspects such as illness, premature death, and particular diseases.
Health Status
An individual’s or population’s overall level of health (and well-being), taking into account various factors such as life expectancy, amount of disability, and levels of disease risk factors.
