Better Health for Individuals

Question 1

dimensions of health- physical

Answer 1

relates to the effective functioning of the body and its systems.

Question 2

dimensions of health- social

Answer 2

refers to our interactions with other people, as well as the social and communication skills we display

Question 3

dimensions of health- mental

Answer 3

refers to our state of emotional wellbeing

Question 4

dimensions of health- spiritual

Answer 4

relates to feeling a sense of purpose and meaning in our life

Question 5

WHOs definition of health

Answer 5

“a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of infirmity”

Question 6

what is the relative nature of health?

Answer 6

refers to how we judge our health compared to other people or other points in our life

Question 7

what is the dynamic nature of health?

Answer 7

refers to the constant fluctuations that occur in our level of health, e.g. age

Question 8

what are perceptions health?

Answer 8

refers to our we perceive our health.
includes:
- our interpretation of the term health
- our beliefs about our capacity to achieve good health
- our environment
- our health behaviours and lifestyle
- our past level of health
- message about health conveyed by family, peers and media
- the value we place on maintaining a positive state of well-being

Question 9

what are the factors which influence our social constructs?

Answer 9

refers to our views regarding what constitutes good health and who possesses it. factors which influence our social construct include:

• gender
• geographical location
• age
• community values and expectations
• socio-economic status
• level of education
• cultural background

Question 10

perceptions of health of others

Answer 10

just as our perceptions of our own health is influenced by a range of factors, so too are our judgements about the health status of others.

Question 11

what is the impact of media, peers and family

Answer 11

the media has a key role in distributing health-related information to the community, strongly impacting an individuals perceptions of health.

Question 12

positive health status of young people

Answer 12

Research into the health status, health outcomes and factors influencing the health and well-being of young Australians is regularly undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 
Positive changes include:
- decrease in smoking 
- decrease in alcohol consumption 
- increase in the use of contraception 
- decrease in death caused by chronic disease (asthma)
Negative changes include:
- increase in male suicide 
- increase in road related injuries

Question 13

Positive behaviours

Answer 13

behaviours which are likely to enhance an individuals health

Question 14

Risk behaviours

Answer 14

behaviours which contribute to the poor health of individuals

Question 15

determinants of health- individual

Answer 15

includes:

• knowledge and skills
• attitudes
• genetics

Question 16

determinants of health- environment

Answer 16

includes:

• geographical location
• access to technology
• access to healthcare

Question 17

determinants of health- sociocultural

Answer 17

includes:

• family
• peers
• media
• religion
• culture

Question 18

determinants of health- socioeconomic

Answer 18

includes:

• education
• employment
• income

Question 19

degree of control an individual can exert over their health

Answer 19

a person’s level of health is not solely determined by their individual choices but a range of factors included in the determents of health

Question 20

modifiable determinants

Answer 20

determinants that can be changed or controlled so they have a different level of influenced on our health.
examples include:
- income 
- skills and knowledge
- attitude

Question 21

non-modifiable determinants

Answer 21

determinants that cannot be changed or altered. 
examples include:
- genetics
- geographical locations 
- family

Question 22

the changing influence of determinants through different life stages

Answer 22

at different times in our lives certain determinants may have a greater or lesser influence on our health status and health decisions

Question 23

what is health promotion?

Answer 23

WHO definition:

“the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and improve their health”

Question 24

who is responsible for health promotion?

Answer 24

• individuals
• community groups and schools
• non-government organisations
• various levels of government
• international organisations

Question 25

what are some health promotion approaches and strategies?

Answer 25

lifestyle and behaviour approaches:
this approach is directed at improving risk factors related to an individuals behaviour
e.g. ReachOut which aims to support and improve young people’s mental health

preventative medical approaches:
related to eliminating risk factors via medicine or medical intervention which impact on the health of individuals
e.g. vaccinations in children

public health
takes a more holistic approach to health and seeks to address underlying social and environmental approaches
e.g. welfare payments

Question 26

what is the Ottawa Charter?

Answer 26

the Ottawa Charter is a significant document that directs health promotion through clear definitions, action plans and positive involvement

Question 27

what are the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter?

Answer 27

developing personal skills:
occurs through the provision of information, education for health and the enhancement of life skills

creating supportive environments:
focuses on the places where people live, work and play and on increasing people’s ability within settings to make health-promoting choices

strengthening community action:
focuses on the empowerment of communities to identify and implement actions to address their health concerns

reorienting health services:
the reorientation of health services seeks to prevent ill health occurring, help people to attain the highest level of health possible and support overall well-being

building healthy public policy:
relates to ensuring that decisions made at all levels of government work towards health improvement

Question 28

what are the principles of social justice?

Answer 28

equity:
taking action to achieve fairness

diversity:
valuing of people for who they are and ensuring the health promotion meats their needs and is delivered in an appropriate manner

supportive environments:
the environment that an individual lives in, which influences their level of health and their ability to make changes to improve their health