SEDH: Cardiovascular Disease

Question 1

What are some CVD risk factors?

Answer 1

The Whitehall Study of 18,000 males in the British Civil Service aged between 20 and 67 years of age showed:

- overall, lower grades in the civil service were associated with:
	– Obesity 
	– Smoking 
	– Reduced leisure time
	– Lower levels of physical activity 
	– More underlying illness
	– Higher blood pressure
	– Shorter height	
- BUT, these account for no more than 40% of the difference between the grades.

Question 2

What are some effects of acute stress?

Answer 2

Brain: increased alertness and less perception of pain
Thymus gland & other immune tissues: immune system ready for possible injury
Circulatory System: Heart beats faster and blood vessels constrict to bring more oxygen to muscles
Adrenal Glands: secrete hormones that mobilise energy supplies
Reproductive Organs: Reproductive functions are temporarily suppressed

Question 3

What are some effects of chronic stress?

Answer 3

Brain: impaired memory and increased risk of depression
Thymus gland & other Immune Tissues: decreased/depressed immune response
Circulatory System: elevated BP and higher risk of CVD
Adrenal Glands: High hormone levels slow recovery from acute stress
Reproductive Organs: higher risk of infertility and miscarriage.

Question 4

What are some of the factors that impact upon stress in an individual?

Answer 4

1. ACTIVITIES
   What activities are people doing?
   Who is doing what kind of activities?
   Consider any differences between women, men, elders, children, other groupings….
   What activities do you think are detrimental to health?
   And what activities do you think are supportive of health?
2. MARKERS OF STATUS & WEALTH
   Comment on clothing, jewellery, ornaments, contents and decoration in the home, shoes, hats etc
   Can you observe any other items that may be markers of status or difference?
   What markers do you think are detrimental to health?
   And what markers do you think are supportive of health?
3. ENVIRONMENT
   What do you notice about the environment of the village?
   Describe the environment of the home.
   What environmental factors do you think are detrimental to health?
   And what environmental factors do you think are supportive of health?
4. INFRASTRUCTURE
   Comment on water and sanitation systems or processes.
   What power is used and how does this impact on activities?
   Comment on the housing and building materials and design in this village.
   What infrastructure do you think is detrimental to health?
   And what infrastructure do you think is supportive of health?

Question 5

What is empowerment?

Answer 5

Empowerment: The success of an economy and society cannot be separated from the lives that the members of that society are able to lead… we not only value living well and satisfactorily, but also appreciate having control over our lives.