Lecture 1: Intro to population health Flashcards
What is the World Health Organization’s definition of “health”?
The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
What is an advantage to the World Health Organization’s definition of “health”?
Instead of putting a focus on physical well-being, it encompasses multiple aspects of health, recognizing that health is a multifaceted concept.
What is a disadvantage to the World Health Organization’s definition of “health”?
Because it is so subjective, it can be difficult to evaluate or measure the health of an individual. It also raises the question of what other aspects of health should be included (ex. sexual health, spiritual health)
Describe the medical model of health
A more narrow, specific definition of health that focuses on the absence of disease or disability. It emphasizes the individual and their responsibility for their own health
Describe the social model of health
A broader, complex definition of health that focuses on factors outside the individual. It emphasizes the impact and environment can have on an individual and that maintaining health is a collective responsibility.
Define population
A group of people or individuals with common characteristics
List 6 common characteristics that can form groups
- Age
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Religion
- Place of residence
- Occurrence of life event (ex. giving birth, entering school, serving in military)
Describe a fixed population
Membership is based on a specific event and is permanent. No one can enter or leave the population
Ex. A survivor from the Japanese atomic bomb or 9/11
Describe a dynamic population
Membership is a changeable condition. People are able to enter and leave the population
Ex. A city or a school
When is a population in steady state
When the number of individuals entering the population is equal to the number of individuals leaving
What is a census used for
It is a way of measuring whether a population is in steady state. It is not 100% accurate because it is not possible to access everyone
Define population health
An approach to health that aims to improve the health of the entire population and to reduce health inequities (difference in health due to wage or ethnicity) among population groups.
What are 3 different types of health research
- Basic
- Clinical
- Population
What is basic health research
Research performed with tissues or animals to better understand disease mechanisms. It is controlled and regulated in a laboratory setting and can be difficult to apply to the outside world.
What is clinical health research
Work with sick individuals to improve the treatment of diseases.
What is population health research
Research using populations or communities with a focus on preventing diseases. The goal is to stop the disease before treatment is needed.
What ideas were a part of the Federal Government’s Report: A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians in 1974
- A change in lifestyle or social and physical environments can have large improvements in health, reducing the expenses on delivering health care in the future.
- There was a rise in health promotion around smoking, alcohol, exercise, and diet.
What was developed during the first international conference on health promotion (held in Canada) in 1986
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
What is the circle (core) of the Ottawa Charter (1986)
3 basic strategies of health promotion: enable, mediate, advocate
What are the 3 waves coming from the circle in the Ottawa Charter (1986)
5 action promotion areas to improve population health (when the core strategies are implemented): Strengthen community action, Develop personal skills, Build healthy public policy, Create supportive environments, Reorient health services.
Note: only 1 of the 5 action areas focus on the individual (personal skills)
What is the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research introduce in 1989
The term/concept “population health”
What did all governments do in terms of population health in 1994
All governments endorsed the concept of population health allowing the development of policies and strategies to improve population health.
What was formed in 2004
The Public Health Agency of Canada
What is the difference between population health and public health
Public health consists of programs and services that use the population health approach.
