Health 1 & 2 Flashcards
What is meant by health ?
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
M. Huber 2011
‘the ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of social, physical and emotional challenges’
Julian Tudor Hart 1971
Inverse Care Law
Inverse Care Law
The relationship between the need for health care and its actual utilisation.
In other words, those who most need medical care are least likely to receive it.
Conversely, those with least need of health care tend to use health services more (and more effectively).
Disproportionate Care Law
A disproportionate care law which persists in high-income countries, whereby socially disadvantaged people receive more health care, but of worse quality and insufficient quantity to meet their additional needs.
What are the determinants of health ?
The determinants of health include:
the social and economic environment
the physical environment
the person’s individual characteristics and behaviours
Income and social status
A higher income and social status are linked to better health.
The greater the gap between the richest and poorest people, the greater the differences in health.
Education
Low education levels are linked with poor health, more stress and lower self-confidence.
Physical Environment
Safe water and clean air, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health.
Employment and working conditions
People in employment are healthier, particularly those who have more control over their working conditions
Social Support Networks
A greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health.
Culture
Customs and traditions, and the beliefs of the family and community all affect health.
Genetics
Inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses.
Personal behaviour and coping skills
Balanced eating, keeping active, smoking, drinking, and how we deal with life’s stresses and challenges all affect health.
Health Services
Access and use of services that prevent and treat disease influences health
What is meant by the social determinants of health ?
The conditions in which we are born, we grow & age, and which we live and work.
WHO
World Health Organisation
What has significant influence on our social, cultural and physical environments ?
Business
Name some commercial determinants of health
Business
Food/obesity
Tobacco
Vaping
Alcohol
Gambling
Cars
Household goods
Gadgets
Beauty/Toiletries/ Clothes
Unhealthy commodities
Young people are particularly at risk.
Disproportionate effect on most vulnerable communities and populations so widening inequalities.
Health inequalities by WHO
Differences in health status
Differences in distribution of health determinants
Health inequalities by Public Health Scotland
Unfair differences in health within the population across social classes and between different population groups.
Not random, largely socially determined and not inevitable.
Review of Health inequalities
Sir Michael Marmot 2010
‘Serious health inequalities do not arise by chance, and they cannot be attributed simply to genetic make-up, bad, unhealthy behaviour or difficulties in access to medical care…. Social and economic differences in health status reflect and are caused by, social and economic inequalities in society.
Health inequalities that are preventable by reasonable means are unfair. Putting them right is a matter of social justice.’
Public Health development
4 Broad waves of public health change
(with a fifth wave)
