PSY313 UNIT 2 LECTURE 1 Flashcards
What is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health?
Health is defined as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
What are the criticisms of the WHO’s definition of health?
It’s considered too broad, as almost everyone would be seen as unhealthy most of the time.
Can you still be considered healthy if you have some minor health issues?
Yes, you can be in a ‘relatively good health’ state if only minor issues are affecting you.
What is a more practical way to think about health, according to the Ottawa Charter?
Health is seen as a resource that helps you live well, focusing on social and personal resources.
What does ‘self-rated health’ mean and why is it useful?
It’s how people rate their own health, reflecting personal and broader health trends.
How does aging affect self-rated health in Canada?
As people get older, their self-rated health usually declines due to more chronic illnesses.
How could having a negative view of your health affect you?
It may prevent you from taking actions to improve your health, worsening your condition.
What is illness?
Illness refers to any physical or mental impairment that affects your well-being.
What’s the difference between acute and chronic diseases in older adults?
Acute diseases become less common but more severe with age, while chronic diseases become more frequent.
Are older adults more likely to get sick than younger people?
Yes, older adults have more chronic illnesses but fewer acute illnesses, which are often more severe.
What are some common risk factors for chronic diseases?
Chronic diseases are linked to modifiable risk factors like smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise.
What risk factors for illness can’t be controlled?
Social and economic factors, such as low income and education levels, often lead to poorer health.
Why is social support crucial for older adults’ health?
It provides practical help, cognitive benefits, and prevents loneliness, which is harmful to health.
What health care challenges do older adults face?
They often struggle with access due to mobility issues, transportation problems, and ageism.
How does growing up in poverty affect health later in life?
Those who grew up in poverty face greater health risks later in life, despite improved economic status.
Why is cancer a major concern for older adults?
Cancer is the most common chronic illness and the leading cause of death among older adults in Canada.
How do genetics play a role in cancer?
All cancers involve genetic mutations, some inherited, affecting cancer development.
What environmental factors contribute to cancer?
Environmental toxins and exposure to harmful substances like sunlight and tobacco smoke increase risk.
How preventable is skin cancer?
Most skin cancer cases are preventable through sun protection.
What is the risk associated with using tanning beds before age 30?
Women who use tanning beds before age 30 increase their risk of developing skin cancer by 75%.
What are the main causes of lung cancer?
Nearly all cases are linked to cigarette smoking, including secondhand smoke.
How does diet affect colorectal cancer rates?
Death rates are 55% higher among those with the highest BMIs compared to those with healthy BMIs.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness where the body loses its ability to metabolize glucose effectively.
What characterizes Type 2 Diabetes?
It’s prevalent in adults, especially those over 65, affecting 25% of this age group in Canada.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
This form develops in childhood and involves insufficient insulin production.
How does aging affect medication metabolism?
In older adults, drug metabolism is slower, increasing the risk of drug toxicity.
Why are older adults not commonly included in drug trials?
They are often excluded to avoid complicating results with age-related variables.
What is polypharmacy, and why is it a concern?
Polypharmacy is being prescribed five or more medications, raising concerns about interactions.
What are common reasons for medication non-compliance in older adults?
Reasons include high costs, complexity of regimens, and forgetfulness.
What is deprescribing and why is it important?
Deprescribing is reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be beneficial.
How do health outcomes for Indigenous populations in Canada compare to other groups?
Indigenous populations have the worst health outcomes, including chronic and acute conditions.
How does the life expectancy of Indigenous populations in Canada compare to other Canadians?
It’s estimated to be about 15 years shorter than for other Canadians.
What are some systemic factors contributing to poorer health outcomes for Indigenous populations?
Systemic racism, healthcare access difficulties, and lack of infrastructure are major factors.
Why is healthcare access challenging on many Indigenous reserves?
Many reserves are remote with limited infrastructure, making healthcare access difficult.
What are some positive aspects of living in Indigenous communities?
Strong social support in Indigenous communities can be a significant health benefit.
Is it clear whether the positives outweigh the negatives in terms of health outcomes for Indigenous communities?
It’s challenging to determine if positives outweigh negatives like systemic barriers.
What percentage of Canadians are foreign-born?
20% of Canadians are foreign-born, mostly arriving as young adults.
What is the primary class under which most immigrants come to Canada?
Most come as economic class immigrants, selected based on job skills and education.
How does the employment likelihood of older adult immigrants compare to younger ones?
Older adult immigrants are less likely to be employed compared to younger immigrants.
What is the ‘healthy immigrant effect’?
Recent immigrants are generally healthier than the average Canadian due to health selection.
How does the health status of immigrants change over time in Canada?
Their health tends to decline over time, matching the general health status of Canadians.
What recent findings have been made about the health of refugees in Canada?
Recent studies suggest that refugees are not necessarily less healthy than other immigrants.
How does racial status affect the health of refugees?
Racialized refugees tend to have poorer health outcomes compared to non-racialized refugees.
How does language impact the health of older adult immigrants?
Language barriers contribute to worse self-rated health due to challenges in accessing services.
What is the biggest issue with healthcare accessibility in Canada?
The biggest issue is the lack of doctors, affecting accessible healthcare for everyone.
How do healthcare costs for older adults compare to younger adults?
People over 80 use seven times more healthcare funds than younger adults.
How do stereotypes affect healthcare access for older adults?
Stereotypes can lead to poorer access, as older adults may be taken less seriously.
What is functional health?
Functional health measures how well someone manages daily life activities.
What are some examples of activities of daily living (ADLs)?
ADLs include tasks like eating, dressing, and managing personal hygiene.
How does the WHO define disability?
Disability is any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity considered normal.
