Midterm- Lesson 1-6 Flashcards
how disease patterns in the U.S. have changed in the last 90 years
There has been a decrease in acute infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, and polio, and an increase in chronic disorders such as heart disease, lung cancer and addiction, which are lifestyle-related and preventable.
four beneficial effects associated with the modification of health behaviors
These behaviors can:
- reduce deaths due to lifestyle-related diseases
- delay time of death
- improve the quality of life
- save money (more than $1.5 trillion is spent yearly on health and illness)
Name seven good health habits that can lower mortality rates.
- sleeping 7-8 hours per night
- not smoking
- eating breakfast
- having no more than 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day
- regular exercise
- not eating between meals
- being no more than 10% overweight
two general strategies of primary prevention
One strategy is the use of behavior modification techniques to get people to alter problematic behavior. The other is to keep people from developing poor health habits in the first place.
List the most common teachable moments in the life cycle
A teachable moment is a period of time when people are relatively open to learning new health behaviors. The first of these periods is in early childhood, when it is relatively easy to teach behaviors such as wearing a seat belt, good nutrition, and exercise. The second is in adolescence, when it is possible to prevent smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, and high-risk driving behaviors that could lead to traffic accidents. The third is for young parents, especially during pregnancy, who are open to learning about household safety and preventive health strategies for their children.
Discuss the difficulties in working with at-risk populations
Although it can be an effective use of time and money to target these populations, they can be difficult to reach because they tend to be unrealistically optimistic about their vulnerability to health risks. They also tend to display false consensus, which is the overestimation of the percentage of their peers who engage in the same kinds of high-risk behavior. These populations can also be highly reactive and defensive, responding to health promotion efforts with fear and anger.
Identify the focus of health promotion efforts with the elderly.
These efforts focus on diet, exercise, reducing the occurrence of accidents, controlling smoking and alcohol consumption, using prescription drugs correctly, and vaccinations against influenza.
health promotion
A general philosophy that considers health to be a personal and collective achievement; the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health. Health promotion may occur through individual efforts, interaction with the medical system, and a concerted health policy effort.
health behavior
A behavior undertaken people to enhance or maintain their health, such as exercise or the consumption of a healthy diet.
health habit
A health-related behavior that is firmly established and often performed automatically, such as wearing a seat belt or brushing one’s teeth.
primary prevention
Measures designed to combat risk factors for illness before an illness has a chance to develop.
health locus of control
The perception that one’s health is under personal control; is controlled by powerful others, such as a physician; or is determined by external factors, such as chance.
socialization
The process by which people learn the norms, rules, and beliefs associated with their family and society; parents and social institutions are usually the major agents of socialization.
teachable moment
The existence of certain times that are relatively effective for teaching particular health practices
window of vulnerability
Periods in the life cycle when people are more vulnerable to particular health problems. For example, early adolescence is a window of vulnerability for beginning smoking, drug use, and alcohol abuse
