Models of Health - BM, OPH, NPH

Question 1

biomedical model of health

Answer 1

Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness.
It is a medical model of care practised by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment and cure of disease.

Question 2

old public health

Answer 2

Created to target infectious diseases; focus on physical environment that caused infectious diseases such as safe water, sanitation and housing to prevent conditions such as cholera.

Question 3

new public health

Answer 3

Focuses on the broader factors that influence health and wellbeing; the physical, sociocultural, economic and political environment to target lifestyle diseases.
Is a population based approach that focuses on behaviour change through education, and also polices e.g. road rules and taxes such as smoking tax to prevent the development of lifestyle diseases such as CVD and cancer.

Question 4

infectious and parasitic diseases/communicable diseases

Answer 4

Caused by infectious agents i.e. bacteria (TB and cholera), viruses (COVID 19), parasites (malaria) or fungi or their toxic products.

Question 5

Non-communicable diseases

Answer 5

Often referred to as ‘chronic diseases’ as tend to be of long duration, NCD’s include ‘lifestyle diseases’ they are caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behaviors factors. Examples include CVD, cancers, CoPD, T2D, mental illness

Question 6

Medical advancements for CVD

Answer 6

sphygmomanometer for blood pressure
x-ray
ultrasound
anti-hypertensives (blood pressure lowering medication)

Question 7

Medical advancements for obesity

Answer 7

lap band surgery

appetite suppressant medication

Question 8

Medical advancements for infections/infectious diseases

Answer 8

vaccinations

antibiotics for bacterial infections including TB, NOT viruses e.g. measles, COVID-19

Question 9

Medical advancements for cancer

Answer 9

chemotherapy
radiotherapy
surgery

Question 10

Advantages/Strengths of Biomedical Model

Answer 10

Creates advancements in medical technology and research e.g. antibiotics, x-rays and anaesthetics THEREFORE better diagnosis and more effective treatment increasing health status.
Enables treatment of many conditions which could otherwise cause death THEREFORE increasing life expectancy.
Individualised approach THEREFORE treatment is tailored to individual cases which increases it’s effectiveness e.g. in improving quality of life

Question 11

Disadvantages/limitations of biomedical model

Answer 11

Costly (for individual and nation) e.g. medical technology THEREFORE not everyone can afford to access healthcare e.g. low SES groups needing specialist appointments (not 100% covered by Medicare).
Relies on trained healthcare professionals THEREFORE accessibility can be limited if demand high e.g. waiting lists for surgery or appointments.
Not every condition can be treated/cured e.g. cancer has treatment available but no cure, quadriplegia is permanent THEREFORE it’s impact on health status is limited.
Doesn’t always promote good health and wellbeing à “band-aid fix” e.g. doesn’t address cause or focus on encouraging people to be responsible for their own health and wellbeing THEREFORE limited impact on incidence.