FA1; CQ1 Flashcards
Meanings of Health
Health means different things to different people and communities, and changes over time.
WHO definition of Health
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or illness.
Now not accepted as the global standard of the Definition of Health.
Pre WW2 definition
Health was the opposite of being ill; if there was no evidence, then you are healthy.
Why was there a change in the Global definition of Health?
WHO definition gave greater recognition to a more holistic approach by recognising the whole person, not just the physical aspect and absence of disease and illness.
Factors influcencing individual’s definition of health
- Cultural Beliefs
- Family History
- Societal Influence
- Environmental Factors
How Cultural Beliefs affect individual’s perception of health
- Beliefs on causes and cures of illnesses and diseases
- How people ask and receive treatment
- How people act towards others considered sick
- How people think and feel about health
- Types of treatments they are willing to accept
Examples of Cultural Beliefs affect an individual’s health
- Herbal/traditional vs Newer/European
- Mental Health → Seek professional help or talk to family or ignore it
How Family History affect individual’s perception of health
- Genetics
- Inherited illnesses
- Support systems
- Restrictions
- Relationships
- Social Life
- Understanding
- Family beliefs: Families value different things
- Similar lifestyles
- Different education levels
- Environment
How Societal Influence affect individual’s perception of health
- Expected body image
- Societal norms
- Media influence
- Partying
- Really into fitness
How Environmental Considerations affect individual’s perception of health
- War
- Type of country: Developed or undeveloped Country
- Sanitation
Dynamic Health
Constant fluctuations that occur in our level of health
Relative Health
How we judge our health compared to other people or points in our life
Example of Dynamic Health
Someone with breast cancer who has a breast removed in a mastectomy may consider her health poor compared to how it was previously or compared to other without cancer. However, she may consider her health good during her recovery compared to how it was while she was undergoing treatment.
Dimensions of Health
- Phsyical Health
- Emotional/Mental Health
- Social Health
- Spiritual Health
Define Physical Health
**Efficient functioning of the body and it’s ability of participate in everyday activities **and the **absence of signs of disease **e.g. asthma, diabeties, epilepsy
Characterisitics of Health
- Body size and shape
- Level of fitness
- Energy level
- Weight
- Ability to recover from illness
Positive Examples of Physical Health
- Doing a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity each day
- Eating a balanced diet
Negative examples of Physical Health
- Not getting the recommended amount of sleep for your age group (8 hours for teens)
- Not eating a balanced diet
Define Emotional/Mental Health
Ability to adapt, change and cope with adversity, and ability to express emotions appropriately depending on the circumstances
Characterisitics of Emotional/Mental Health
- Thinking and Communication skills
- Ability to learn and relate to others
- Resilience
- Develop good self-esteem
- Resolve conflict
Positive Examples of Emotional/Mental Health
- Positive self-esteem and image
- Able to Adapt
Negative Examples of Emotional/Mental Health
- Low self-esteem and image
- Unable to manage stress levels
Define Social Health
Able to form and maintain satisfying relationships and relate to different people in a way that is accepted by our community
Characterisitics of Social Health
- Follow accepted standards of behaviour
- Interacting positively in group situations
Positive Examples of Social Health
- High communication skills
- Able to take turns
Negative Examples of Social Health
- Isolated or unable to make friends
- Unable to relate to others acceptably by societies standards
Definitions of Spiritual Health
It has different meanings for each individual:
* Could mean believing in a higher being or way of life prescribed by a particular religion to help them make decisions
* Could mean being **able to understand yourself **and make decisions based on what you know
Positive Examples of Spiritual Health
- Has a feeling of purpose and meaning
- Feels connected to themselves, others or a higher being
Negative Examples of Spiritual Health
- Isn’t able to understand themselves
- Can’t make decisions in a timely manner, or a way that benefit themselves
Concept of Good Health
Good health is relative and dynamic and is a balance of all dimensions of health and depends on individual circumstances such as family beliefs, culture, environment, age, gender, education, and societal influences.
Health Continuum
It is a scale used to place an individual’s health at a specific point. Each dimension of health can be displayed on a continuum to show their contribution to their overall health.
How health changes over time
Heath changes from day to day, year to year, based on an individual’s dimensions of health at a given time. Dimensions of health fluctuate and change all the time, and so does an individual’s health.
Example of how Health Changes over time
There is an increase in weight gain for older Australians, where individuals over the age of 20 gain about 0.5 - 1kg every year. This affects only physical health, though, so the individual may be considered pretty healthy despite the increase in weight if the other factors are pretty healthy, but may not be healthy if their other factors are not as healthy.
Individual’s circumstances that affect their health
- Life Circumstances
- Geographical Location
- Social Circumstances
- Financial Circumstances
Examples of Life Circumstances that affect an individuals Health
- Physical surroundings
- Age
- Gender
- Education
- Family history: Genetics
- Culture
- Politics
Examples of Geographical Location that affect an individuals Health
- Access to clean water
- Sanitation
- Fresh foods
- Medical assistance
- Employment opportunities
Examples of Social Circumstances that affect an individuals Health
- Having support from friends and family
- Changes to friends or family dynamics
Examples of Financial Circumstances that affect an individuals Health
- Losing a job
- Socioeconomic status
- Health insurance
Define Epidemiology
** Study of patterns** and causes of health and disease in populations and apply it to improve health
Importance of Epidemiology
- Government can make informed funding decisions
- Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention/early intervention programs
- Gives Health trends and tells if problems actually exist
- Compares population groups especially Piority Population Groups
What can the Government make informed funding decisions on using epidemiology data?
- Cures
- Treatments
- Prevention
- Policies
Example of prevention/early intervention program
QUIT - Stop smoking and vaping campaign (Making stop smoking packaging for cigarettes)
- Lung cancer has decreased
Priority Population Groups
- ATSI
- Low SES (Socio-economic Status)
- Rural and Remote
Limitations of Epidemiology
- Statistic Limitations
- Not accurate indicator of Quality of life as it doesn’t measure how other factors influence quality of life
- Doesn’t explain why health inequities exist
- Doesn’t account for other health determinants
Why is Statisic Limitations a Limitation of Epidemiology?
- Reliability
- Numerous sources: Not all reliable
- Imprecise data collection methods
- Varying sample sizes
Why isn’t Epidemiology a good indicator of quality of life?
- Disability
- Impairment
- Distress
- E.g. severe back pain vs sore back is treated the same
Define Mortality Rate
Number of deaths in a given area or period, or from a particular cause
Top 5 Causes of Death for Males
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Dementia including Alzheimer’s
- Covid-19
- Lung Cancer
- Cerebrovascular Disease
Top 5 causes of death for Females
- Dementia including Alzheimer’s
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)
- Covid-19
- Lung Cancer
Define Infant Mortality
- A death of a child less than 1 year old
- Considered the most important indicator of a nation’s health status
What is the Infant Mortality Trend in Australia?
- Steadily declined in Australia over the last few decades
- ATSI have the highest infant mortality rate of Australians though
Reasons for Decrease in Infant Mortality in Australia
- Medicare: Greater access to health care for different SES
- Increased Technology: Ultrasounds, Sonograms
- Prenatal care: Blood tests, A physical exam, Conversations about lifestyle
- Education around drinking and drugs while pregnant
Define Morbidity
Rates of illness and disease in a population
Define Life Expectancy
Average length of time the members of a population can expect to live
Reasons for improved life expectancy
- Fall in deaths from traffic accidents
- Declining mortality rate of cancers
- Earlier cancer detection
- Better education and health literacy
Like Expectancy for Aus Males
- Non-ATSI males ~81
- ATSI males ~72
- ~9 years difference
Like Expectancy for Aus Females
- Non-ATSI females ~84
- ATSI females ~76
- ~8 years difference
Define Incidence
- Number of new cases occurring in a population
- If decreasing usually a good thing:
- Not always, breast cancer cases are increasing but mortality is decreasing → early detection → better health overall
Example of Incidence
About 162000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2022
Define Prevalence
Number of cases of disease in a population at a specific point
Example of Prevalence
- In 2020-21, an estimated 2.9% of Aus Adults had CHD (Coronary Heart Disease), Overall, CHD rate has fallen 80% since 1980
- Shows preventative measures are working
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) Trend
- Decreasing for all age groups, but #1 killer for males and #2 for females
- 1 in 15 Aus adults in 2022
I
Dementia Trends
- Most deadly Neurological disease for Females >65, 32 for males
- Is increasing due to longer life expectancy
Breast cancer Trends
- Diagnoses have increased
- Mortality has declined 2.4% per year
Skin Cancer Trends
- Lifetime risk of being diagnosed has tripled since 1982
- 1in 5 people
Lung Cancer Trends
- Females increased in 1982 - 2020 ~1.2% each year
- Males, mortality declined 2.9% in 1982 - 2022
Life Expectancy Trend
- Continues to Increase
- Increased 40% since start of 20th Century
Obesity Trend
Increasing for all genders
Social Justice Principles
- PEAR
- Participation
- Equity
- Access
- Rights
Define Participation (SJP)
Importance of communities and individuals being fully involved in the planning and decision making associated with imporving their own health
Define Equity (SJP)
the balanced (though not always equal) distribution of resources, to ensure fair health outcomes for all groups, including the disadvantaged
Define Access (SJP)
removing barriers to make sure that all people, regardless of their circumstances, are provided with satisfactory health services and information
Define Rights (SJP)
the laws that protect human rights should protect good health as the highest importance
Example of Participation (SJP)
Close the Gap Campaign → Seeks engagement from individuals in all levels of society, and consulted ATSI in decisions regarding their health
Examples of Equity (SJP)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) → provides targeted support to some individuals in line with their personal needs
- Government and Universities provide equity scholarships for students with low SES backgrounds
Example of Access (SJP)
Telehealth → Rural and remote communities so all people can quickly access health information and advice
Example of Rights (SJP)
Government introduced ‘Rights of Indigenous People’s Act’ to enforce equal treatment for all Australians, especially ATSI
