models of health Flashcards
old public health
Public health relates to the actions of governments that work to monitor, regulate and promote health and wellbeing and prevent illness.
mainly focuses on physical environment
initiatives include both policy and practice
mostly reducing infectious diseases (cholera)
individual focus
policies of old public health
workplace regulations
quarantine laws
housing regulations
practices of old public health
provision of clean water
waste collection
improves sanitation (sewage systems)
biomedical model
Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness and its practices by doctors and health professionals associated with the diagnosis, cure and treatment of disease
development of medicines, including penicillin, chemotherapy
medical technologies:
stethoscope - listen for fluid on the lungs on the lungs to detect for infection
X-rays - allowed for tumors to be detected
advantages of biomedical model
It enables many common problems to be effectively treated:
The biomedical approach has a range of medicines that stop diseases or conditions that would otherwise develop and cause ill health or death.
It improves quality of life:
The biomedical approach can diagnose and treat disease and illness, reducing pain and suffering, and allowing individuals to enjoy an improved quality of life.
It creates advances in technology and research which can reduce mortality and morbidity:
The biomedical approach can develop technology such as X-rays, antibiotics or anesthetics, helping to diagnose and treat illness reducing pain and suffering.
disadvantages of biomedical model
It relies on professional health workers and technology and is therefore costly:
Some machines required for diagnosis such as MRI machines can cost millions of dollars and only treat a small number of patients each day, meaning it is costly for individuals.
Not focused on the factors that cause the condition:
The biomedical approach heavily focuses on diagnosing and treatment of a condition, not necessarily the factors that contributed to it.
Not every condition can be treated:
Those relying on the biomedical approach to restore optimal health and wellbeing may experience conditions that cannot be treated effectively. These conditions may be preventable through behavior change, however that is not the focus of the biomedical approach
New public health or the ‘social model of health’
This was developed to focus on the broader factors that influence health and wellbeing such as the sociocultural, economic and environmental factors.
developed in response to many lifestyle diseases increasing
focus on education and disease prevention
advantages of social model of health
It focuses on vulnerable populations:
As it focuses on equity, many disadvantaged groups are the target of health promotion programs, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, low SES and those living outside of Australia’s major cities.
It promotes overall health and wellbeing:
As the social model doesn’t just focus on diseases that are present, it has the potential to promote the overall health and wellbeing of individuals by focusing on all dimensions.
disadvantages of the social model of health
Not every condition can be prevented:
The cause of some conditions, including many genetic conditions, can be very difficult to prevent.
It does not promote the development of technology and medical knowledge:
As it focuses on the broader determinants of hwb, it does not promote medical advancements
Health promotion messages may be ignored:
Social model of health relies on public corporations. If people choose to ignore the health messages provided, hwb may not improve.
social model campaigns
No hat, no play policy
No smoking in public places
Slip Slop Slap Seek Slide
breats checks
The Ottawa Charter for health promotion
developed by the world health organization which attempts to reduce inequalities in health.
developed from the social model of health and defines health promotion as ‘the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health’
3 strategies for health promotion (Ottawa Charter)
Enabling - give (someone or something) the authority or means to do something.
Mediate - to resolve or settle (differences) by working with all the conflicting parties.
Advocate - the act of pleading to arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.
