Module 1-6 Flashcards
Describe the life course approach and explain why it is an important conceptualisation of human health for physicians to understand.
The life course approach incorporates 4 critical and sensitive periods and essentially outlines the course of human life. The four periods are;
- Birth and infancy
- Childhood and adolescence
- Young adulthood
- Elderly
Within these four periods, the critical periods is when growth and development are most likely to occur (birth, childhood and young adulthood). On the other hand, sensitive periods are when skills and attitudes are more easily gained (childhood, young adulthood). Each of these periods are vulnerable to different health determinants, hence why it is important for doctors to understand. Furthermore, the life course also includes intrinsic capacity during the life course.
Explain the significance of critical and sensitive periods, and the impact of key non-modifiable and modifiable factors influencing wellbeing across the life course.
Critical periods is when growth and development are most likely to occur (birth, childhood and young adulthood). On the other hand, sensitive periods are when skills and attitudes are more easily gained (childhood, young adulthood).
Non-modifiable factors such as socioeconomic status and biological health conditions at birth can impact the critical and sensitive periods. This is because the intrinsic capacity may be influenced and hence the growth and development meant to occur in the critical periods may be reduced.
Modifiable factors can also influence the sensitive periods because it can have a direct impact on the behaviour, skills and attitudes of those within the sensitive periods.
Define the parameters for the first 1000 days of life and demonstrate an understanding of the importance and lifelong ramifications of this period, including key stages of development for infants and young children.
The first 1000 days is essentially from pregnancy (gestational age) to the first 2 years of life. During this period, the infant is suspectable to certain health conditions such as a lowered immune system. There are lifetime ramifications because development and growth occur in the stage. Hence, many health determinants can have positive or negative impacts on the health.
For example, breast feeding is promoted because it provides nutrients that some formulas cannot. It promotes the development of the child in the most optimal way. Furthermore, during the mother’s pregnancy, there are many precautions she should take to ensure the promotion of her and the baby’s health. For example, the folate intake could reduce the risk of a neural tube defect.
Define social determinants of health and identify the six key social determinants
Social determinants of health are defined as the social conditions people are born, work and live in. The six social determinants are;
- Housing
- Socioeconomic status
- Employment
- Conditions at birth
- Social exclusion
- Built environment
Explain the relevance and importance of the social determinants of health to your future medical practise.
Social determinants of health care important because these determinants are integrated with many other determinants that can predispose patients to negative health conditions. For example, employment can mean the difference between living with a lower SES or a higher SES. This can then predispose the patient to a shorter life expectancy because of the environmental factors. It is important for a doctor to understand the social determinants of patients because it enables to identity of health conditions and hence intervention can occur.
Define and identify the cultural determinants of health.
Cultural determinants of health care essentially subsets of social determinants.
- Geography
- Social inclusion
- Community
For the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, some cultural determinants include the relationship between an individual and their community and land.
For other cultures such as myself, a cultural determinant would be the connection with family
Define and identify the behavioural determinants of health and their relevance to your future medical practice.
Behavioural determinants are essentially determinants that a patient is in control over which can predispose them to other conditions. They are moulded by the person’s values, experiences and beliefs. An example of some would be
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
This is relevant because it can help me identify the conditions that they may be more likely to suffer from. Furthermore, by exploring their behavioural determinants and attitudes I can able to form a deeper connection with them and take the appropriate steps into behavioural change.
Define and identify the nutritional determinants of health and their relevance to your future medical practice.
Nutritional determinants include; - Health literacy - Physical health - Housing - Transport Nutritional determinants are somewhat in control of the patient and can predispose them to health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. However, they are still some unmodified factors that can be influenced by cultural and environmental determinants (think rural health).
Describe key concepts informing health behavioural change, and the strengths and limitations of behavioural approaches in public health.
Some key concepts for behavioural change are;
- Stages of behavioural change (relapse etc)
- Health belief model: pros vs cons
- Reasoned model: intention
- Social learning model: experience
Some limitations of behavioural changes include victim blaming and feelings of conformality.
Define and identify the biological determinants of health.
Biological determinants of health include the somatic, genetic, acquired, biological characteristics that can influence health outcomes. Some biological determinants include attributes and characteristics that increase the chances of disease and conditions. This can include high blood pressure, diabetes etc.
Identify the limitations in targeting biological factors as a way to improve health and wellbeing.
There are two limitations including;
- Transmission and spread of disease
- History of patients
Identify how biological factors interact with other health determinants (social, cultural, behavioural, nutritional) to influence health and wellbeing.
Stress - The biological factor of stress can be both positive and negative. Acute stress can mean motivation while chronic stress can result from other determinants such as social (social exclusion, housing etc) and predispose the patient to CVD and poor mental health. This poor mental health can then include their behavioural determinants.
Identify the difference between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ and the relevance of this difference to your medical practice.
Sex = biological - allows me the be clinically correct (reproductive systems) Gender = attitudes and characteristics - allows me to understand the connect with my patients.
Identify how individual and congenital conditions can create inequalities.
This relates to disability. Disability patients are more likely to experience lower life expectancies as well as lower education and SES. As a result, these attitudes and stereotypes can lead to discrimination and thus play a huge impact of the allocation of resources within the healthcare system. As this health equality is avoidable, it makes this a health inequality.
Define and identify the environmental determinants of health, and their relevance to your future medical practise.
Environmental determinants are the factors an individual grows up with.
For example, this can include housing, access to clean water and food. This has a direct impact on health outcomes and it is important for doctors to ask a set of questions that allow us to fully gage with the chemical and pollutants exposed. This can include asking about home and work situations.
