Holistic health Flashcards
Social determinants
food
addiction
transport
culture
unemployment
social gradient
stress
work
early life
social exclusion
social support
Environmental determinants
features of natural environment
geographical location
Socioeconomic determinants
education
employment
income
family
housing
access to service
migration
food security
Biomedical determinants
birth weight
body weight
Define the social gradient
The phenomenon whereby people who are less advantaged in terms of socioeconomic position have worse health (and shorter lives) than those who are more advantaged.
Impacts of social gradient
People with poor housing, less money and lower income will
experience disease more often.
Define stress
A state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation
Impacts of stress
Immune system can be compromised and individuals can be more
susceptible to colds, flu’s and infections. Mental health can also be affected as prolonged stress can exhibit symptoms of anxiety, head aches and fatigue.
Define early life
The health of the mother during
pregnancy, birth and quality of first few years will impact heavily on wellbeing of an individual.
Impacts of early life
Poor fetal development (due to inadequate diet, stress or drug use) can cause poor brain development impacting on education, socialisation and emotional health.
Define food
The type of nutrients a person has access to
Impacts of food
Poorer people tend to substitute quality for quantity in order to feed their families on limited income, therefore, they do not get the necessary nutrients to live a long and healthy life.
Define addiction
The fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity
Impacts of addiction
Addiction can severely impact an individual’s physical, emotional and social health. Addiction can be caused by a range of thins including unhappy lives, poverty, unemployment or stress.
Define transport
The way and ability for a person to move between locations
Impacts of transport
Choice of transport can be better for our health (walking, cycling) or create
fewer emissions. Health in developing countries or isolated communities could be improved if access to transport was improved as there would be more access to facilities.
Define culture
The beliefs, customs and and social behavior of a particular group of
people. These include food, help seeking, rituals and traditions.
Impacts of culture
Individuals may feel it appropriate to respect cultural tradition such as
healing processes. Impact of culture on health cannot be ignored.
Define unemployment
Not having employment in a job
Impacts of unemployment
Psychological, financial and social
consequences that arise from not working are damaging to health.
Long term unemployed can cause people to suffer more illness, stress, depression and
lead shorter lives.
