Core 1: Better Health for Individuals

Question 1

What is the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) definition of health?

Answer 1

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 2

How is the concept of health dynamic and relative?

Answer 2

Health is dynamic because it constantly changes and is influenced by daily choices and circumstances. It is relative as it can be compared to others’ health or one’s previous health status.

Question 3

What are the dimensions of health?

Answer 3

Physical, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Question 4

How do the dimensions of health interact with each other?

Answer 4

Improvements in one dimension can positively affect others, such as physical activity enhancing mental well-being. Conversely, a decline in one can negatively impact others, like stress affecting physical health.

Question 5

What is the health continuum?

Answer 5

A spectrum ranging from poor health to optimal health, illustrating how an individual’s health can change over time.

Question 6

How can health move along the continuum?

Answer 6

Through changes in lifestyle, environment, or health conditions, individuals can shift from poor to optimal health or vice versa.

Question 7

What influences an individual’s perception of their health?

Answer 7

Personal experiences, knowledge, culture, media, and societal norms.

Question 8

How can perceptions of health differ among individuals?

Answer 8

Perceptions are influenced by different experiences, cultural backgrounds, and information, leading to varied views on what constitutes good health.

Question 9

What does it mean to view health as a social construct?

Answer 9

• Recognising that an individual’s health is influenced by social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors rather than just personal choices.
• Notes that many determinants of health are out of the individual’s control or difficult to change due to circumstances.
• Our understanding and interpretation of health is usually created and developed by our society

Question 10

Why do certain groups have different health outcomes?

Answer 10

Due to varying social determinants like income, education, access to healthcare, and living conditions.

Question 11

What are the main determinants of health?

Answer 11

• Individual (knowledge, skills, genetics)
• Sociocultural factors (family, peers, media)
• Socioeconomic factors (education, income, employment)
• Environmental factors (geographical location, access to health services).

Question 12

Social Construct of Health

Answer 12

• Cultural Background
• Gender
• Age
• Geographic Location
• Community values and expectations
• Socioeconomic staties
• Level of Education

Question 13

How do modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants differ?

Answer 13

Modifiable determinants can be changed (e.g., Education), while non-modifiable ones cannot (e.g., Genetics).

Question 14

How much control do individuals have over their health?

Answer 14

It varies based on their ability to modify certain determinants; some factors like genetics are beyond control

Question 15

How can individuals improve health determinants they have little control over

Answer 15

By engaging in positive behaviors, seeking education, and advocating for better health resources.

Question 16

What are the five action areas of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion?

Answer 16

• Building healthy public policy
• Creating supportive environments
• Strengthening community action
• Developing personal skills
• Reorienting health services.

Question 17

How has the Ottawa Charter contributed to positive health outcomes

Answer 17

By implementing policies that reduce negative impacts such as
- road injuries
- tobacco use
This creates environments that support healthy choices.