Chapter 2: Differences in Health Status Flashcards
1
Q
Factors that impact HWB
A
-
Biological – relating to the body
- E.g. genetics, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, age and birthweight
-
Sociocultural – aspects of society / social environment
- Often out of one’s control
- E.g. family, peers, community, SES, level of education, employment status, overcrowding and homelessness
-
Environmental – surroundings we live/work/play in
- E.g. climate change, infrastructure, public transport, access to healthcare, geographic location
2
Q
Genetics
Biological
A
- Play a role in determining HWB across the lifespan
- Predisposition to disease – diseases such as cancer and diabetes tend to run in families and ethnic groups
- Sex – some conditions are exclusive to either males/females (e.g. prostate cancer for M, breast cancer for F)
- Hormones – oestrogen in F ↓ risk of osteoporosis and testosterone in M ↑ the likelihood of risk-taking behaviours
- DNA mutations – changes genes and how the body works/develops
3
Q
Body weight
Biological
A
- Influenced by genetics as well as bodily functions
- Overweight/obesity – increases the risk of developing obesity related conditions such as CVD
- Hypertension – high body weight puts pressure on the heart to pump blood around the body
- Arthritis and osteoporosis – high body weight puts pressure on bones and joints
- Type 2 diabetes – high levels of fat can damage insulin receptors which can leave glucose trapped in the bloodstream
4
Q
Blood cholesterol
Biological
A
- Cholesterol is carried around the body via lipoproteins
- Two types: low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL)
- High LDL levels produce a build-up of cholesterol in arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart
- Associated with heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease
- HDL carry cholesterol to the liver, removing it from the body
- Reduces high blood cholesterol
- Too much cholesterol (due to high fat diet) can narrow arteries, increasing the risk of CVD, heart attack or stroke
NOTE: LDL = bad. H(DL) = healthy.
5
Q
Blood pressure
Biological
A
- Measurement of pressure of the blood in the artery
- BP rises and falls, depending on a number of factors (e.g. body position, exercise, sleep and emotional state)
- High BP puts stress on the heart to pump blood around the body which can lead to hypertension (increases risk of heart failure)
6
Q
Blood glucose regulation
Biological
A
-
Impaired glucose regulation (IGR) or pre-diabetes includes:
- Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) – elevated glucose levels that are not high enough for the diagnosis of diabetes
- Those with IGR are likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus and CVD if lifestyle changes (e.g. exercise) are not implemented
7
Q
Birthweight
Biological
A
- Weight of a newborn measured immediately after birth
- Low BW may be due to premature birth/foetal growth restriction
- This increases the risk of conditions e.g. respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), brain bleeding and heart/eye problems
8
Q
Age
Biological
A
- Ageing can deteriorate bodily systems due to cellular damage that occurs over time
- This can make individuals more susceptible to diseases e.g. dementia, CVD, diabetes and hearing loss
9
Q
Family (social networks)
Sociocultural
A
- Social disadvantages (e.g. single-parent families) during childhood can impact one’s health throughout their entire life
- Limitations on parental education and income can restrict their ability to model healthy behaviours for their children to adopt
10
Q
Peers and the community (social networks)
Sociocultural
A
- Peers and community provide support networks
- Support can be emotional (encouragement), physical (financial), or informational (advice)
- Social networks can be positive or negative
- Positive – more likely to exercise if friends do
- Negative – more likely to smoke if friends do
11
Q
Socioeconomic status (SES)
Sociocultural
A
- An individual’s position in society determined by their income, education level, employment status and occupational type
- Sometimes referred to as social class
12
Q
Level of education
Sociocultural
A
- Education provides health status benefits to individuals
- High levels – higher income, better employment prospects, healthier lifestyle decisions
- Low levels – poorer mental HWB, increased reporting of disease
13
Q
Employment status
Sociocultural
A
-
Employment – healthy behaviours, identity/purpose and social status
- Steady income allows individuals to pursue health-promoting behaviours (e.g. purchasing a gym membership)
-
Unemployment – economic and social disadvantage
- Job insecurity increases levels of stress and anxiety
- Limits healthy lifestyle choices, increasing the risk of tobacco, alcohol or drug use
14
Q
Overcrowding and homelessness
Sociocultural
A
- Unsanitary conditions ↑ morbidity from infectious disease
- Hazards (e.g. stairs, slippery floors, pools and balconies) can increase the risk of injury and premature death
- Overcrowding can cause high rates of mental health issues as people are unable to find privacy
15
Q
Access to health information
Sociocultural
A
- Comprehensive and high-quality information about healthcare helps a population achieve optimal HWB
- Inability to access health information and healthcare services can be detrimental to health status (e.g. misdiagnosis of disease or a lack of understanding about disease prevention)
