Chapter 1 - Concepts of Health and Wellbeing

Question 1

Health and Wellbeing

Answer 1

Refers to the overall state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual existence and is characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

Question 2

Health

Answer 2

A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 3

Wellbeing

Answer 3

Wellbeing is a concept that takes health outcomes into account, but also considers other factors in a person’s life such as happiness and life satisfaction. Wellbeing is sometimes described as how a person feels about themselves and their life.

Question 4

Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing

Answer 4

Physical, social, emotional, mental, spiritual.

Question 5

Chronic condition

Answer 5

Any disease or condition that lasts a long time (usually longer than six months). It usually can’t be cured and therefore requires ongoing treatment and management. E.g. arthritis, asthma.

Question 6

What does it mean by health and wellbeing is dynamic?

Answer 6

It is constantly changing. It could be a slow or quick change. For example, it can be good one moment but then events such as accidents, disease, relationship breakdown and stressful events can alter the state of health and wellbeing rapidly.

Question 7

Why is health and wellbeing subjective?

Answer 7

The concept of health and wellbeing is viewed in many different ways and is therefore said to be subjective. A number of factors influence the way people view health and wellbeing such as age, fitness, body weight, social networks, income, occupation, education, media and culture.

Question 8

Illness

Answer 8

Just as wellbeing relates to how an individual feels about and experiences their health, illness relates to how a person feels about, and experiences, disease and injury.

Question 9

Physical Health and Wellbeing

Answer 9

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 factors such as regular physical activity, consuming a balanced diet, having appropriate rest/sleep, maintaining an ideal body weight, and the absence of illness, disease or injury.

Question 10

Why is illness seen as a dynamic and subjective concept?

Answer 10

Illness is dynamic as it is constantly changing. For example, a person may experience a broken bone which can increase levels of illness, but then the fracture may heal and their level of illness may decrease.

Illness is subjective as it is influenced by a range of factors including age, past experiences of disease and injury, and pain threshold. For example, if a person has experienced a fracture in the past, they may have strategies to deal with the associated impacts, therefore decreasing the level experienced compared to someone who is experiencing it for the first time.

Another example: a person with a high threshold for pain may experience a lower level of illness than a person with a low threshold for pain, even if their diseases are the same.

Question 11

Relationship between disease/injury and illness?

Answer 11

A disease is a physical or mental disturbance involving symptoms, dysfunction or tissue damage (e.g. asthma), while illness is a more subjective concept related to personal experience of a disease.

Question 12

Social Health and Wellbeing

Answer 12

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 and wellbeing is supported by strong communication skills, empathy for others and a sense of personal accountability.

Question 13

Emotional Health and Wellbeing

Answer 13

Relates to the ability to express emotions and feelings in a positive way. It is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions, the ability to display resilience and the degree to which an individual feels emotionally secure and relaxed in everyday life. Supporting factors include recognising and understanding the range of emotions, effectively responding to and managing emotions and having a high level of resilience.

Question 14

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Answer 14

The current state of the mind or brain and it relates to the ability to think and process information. A mentally healthy brain enables an individual to positively form opinions, make decisions and use logic. Supporting factors include low levels of stress and anxiety, positive self-esteem and a sense of confidence and optimism.

Question 15

Spiritual Health and Wellbeing

Answer 15

Not material in nature, but relates to ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the minds and conscience of human beings. It includes the concepts of hope, peace, a guiding sense of meaning or value, and reflection on a person’s place in the world.

Question 16

How resilience can act as a resource for individuals

Answer 16

Resilience relates to the ability to effectively deal with adverse or negative events and the associated emotions that occur throughout life. This includes death of a loved one, relationship breakdown and conflict with family and friends. When these events occur, it is natural to experience a range of negative emotions. A resilient individual will recognise, process, acknowledge and respond to these emotions effectively, which assists in recovering from negative experiences.

*** Resilience means that people can recover from negative events which can reduce their risk of developing conditions such as depression. This means they can work more productively which can mean that they earn a higher income. **

Question 17

Use disease or injury to show how health and wellbeing dimensions can interrelate

Answer 17

Disease:
If a person is sick with the flu (physical) they are less likely to be able to socialise with their friends which decreases social health and wellbeing due to isolation. If social needs are not met, the individual may not feel a deep connection to the world in which they live which impacts spiritual health and wellbeing. Not feeling connected to the world in which they live can decrease self-esteem as the individual may not feel good about themselves (mental).

Injury:
If a person breaks their arm (physical), they may not be able to attend work for a period of time. This may mean that they don’t feel like they have a purpose in life (spiritual). If they are feeling like they don’t have a purpose in life, they experience a lower sense of satisfaction with their life which can contribute to lower levels of self-esteem (mental). Lower levels of self-esteem can reduce interactions with others as the person isn’t feeling good about themselves, which can negatively impact social health and wellbeing.

Question 18

Briefly explain what is meant by physical health and wellbeing and explain how an aspect of optimal physical health and wellbeing can act as a resource globally.

Answer 18

• Physical health and wellbeing relates to the current state and functioning of the body and its systems. Optimal physical health and wellbeing means lower levels of disease which means people can work more productively which can enhance global trade, therefore promoting the global economy.
• Physical health and wellbeing relates to the current state and functioning of the body and its systems. Optimal physical health and wellbeing means lower levels of disease which can reduce the risk of disease transmission between countries.

Question 19

The 9 Prerequisites of Health?

Answer 19

• Peace
• Shelter
• Education
• Food
• Income
• Stable Ecosystem
• Sustainable Resources
• Social Justice
• Equity

Question 20

The Importance of Health and Wellbeing for Individuals

Answer 20

• Work productively
• Reduced healthcare costs
• Gain an education
• Earn an income
• Exercise
• Work towards purpose in life
• Sleep well

Question 21

The Importance of Health and Wellbeing Nationally

Answer 21

• Longer, healthier lives
• Health system savings (promotes economic development of the country)
• Fewer people relying on social security
• Increased productivity
• Higher average incomes
• Reduced stress and anxiety in the community
• Increased social participation

Question 22

The Importance of Health and Wellbeing as a Resource Globally

Answer 22

• Reduces risk of disease transmission between countries
• Assists in promoting peace and stability
• Promotes economic development
• Promotes social development
• Promotes sustainability

Question 23

Briefly explain what is meant by equity and use examples of equity to explain how it can promote health and wellbeing and health status.

Answer 23

Equity relates to providing more support for disadvantaged groups. This can assist those less fortunate in accessing resources such as food. This can provide energy and promote physical health and wellbeing. It also means that those with severe mental health issues may receive more support through the health system which can reduce rates of self-harm which can increase life expectancy.