Topic One - Better Health For Individuals

Question 1

What are the 5 dimensions of health?

Answer 1

Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, Spiritual

Question 2

What is physical health?

Answer 2

It typically includes being free of injuries and diseases as well as having a good fitness. However, health is relative and thus different to each person.

It can also be referred to as the functionality of the body which allows individuals to carry out everyday functions.

Question 3

What is social health?

Answer 3

Social health refers to the ability to be able to make and maintain healthy relationships with others. It also refers to your ability to interact and cooperate with other people.

By having good social health, individuals can acquire a sense of identity and improves the wellbeing and sense of connectedness.

Question 4

What is spiritual health?

Answer 4

Spiritual health refers to the beliefs and values that an individual has. It also refers to the sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. Our awareness and understanding of ourselves can improve our spiritual health.

Question 5

What is mental health?

Answer 5

Mental health refers to being able to use their brain and think. It mainly refers to the cognitive aspect of a person. It also refers to an individual’s intellectual capacity to develop skills as well as the thinking process.

Question 6

What is emotional health?

Answer 6

Emotional health refers to a person’s mood or general emotional state. It has a strong correlation with self-esteem and ability to control emotions in pressured situations. Emotional health and mental health are strongly linked. Being able to control and accept emotions is part of having good emotional health.

Question 7

What is the traditional meaning of health? (before the 20th century)

Answer 7

Health was defined as the ‘absence of disease’ and generally revolved around the physical health aspect, however over time the definition has changed.

Question 8

Why has the definition of health changed over time?

Answer 8

The definitions of health has changed over time due to the increased understanding of medicine, science, the physical environment, the social environment and their influence on people’s health.

Question 9

What is the modern meaning of health? (According to WHO, 1946) (This is the concept of good health)

Answer 9

The modern meaning of health according to WHO is that health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely an absence of a disease.

In other words, the aspects of health has broadened from only physical to other aspects of health. (A more holistic approach)

Question 10

What is the flaw with the modern definition of health?

Answer 10

This meaning is flawed as it suggests that people can’t be truly healthy unless they have complete physical, social or mental wellbeing.

Question 11

What is the difference between the relative nature of health and the dynamic nature of health? Provide examples.

Answer 11

The relative nature of health refers to the use of others to compare the health status of a particular person. E.g. “I’m not that healthy because I can’t run as fast as Usain Bolt”
The dynamic nature of health refers to the fact that the health of an individual is constantly changing and can change dramatically with little notice. E.g. One day I might be healthy and injury-free but then when I get an injury playing sport, the next second I would be considered ‘unhealthy’ because of an innjury.

Question 12

What is the health continuum?

Answer 12

The health continuum ‘measures’ our health status at any given time. We are constantly moving across the continuum as our health slowly gets affected by whatever we do.

Question 13

What are some factors which impact our perception of our own health?

Answer 13

Family’s perception of health

Our peer’s understanding of what health is

How health is portrayed in the media

Our personal beliefs and preconceptions about life

The value we place on health

Our previous experiences related to health

Our environmental (geographical, access to health info and tech)

Our level of health education

Question 14

Why is the perception of health highly subjective?

Answer 14

Because we create subjective thoughts through stereotypes made by society.

Question 15

How can different thoughts and opinions on health result in problems?

Answer 15

Perception ion can cause conflict, which forms a hierarchy of health priorities and thus the government may decide the fund something which may not necessarily be good for a certain community but good for another.

Societal thoughts can change the government policy expenditure and action impacting certain communities

Question 16

What does it mean by saying health is a social construct?

Answer 16

It basically means that our understanding and interpretation of health is created and developed by our society. This means that interpretations of health changes with time.

Question 17

How does the media influence our perspective on health?

Answer 17

Because technology has drastically increased the use of media, this means that more and more people are exposed to it. Media can communicate information about health through explicitly saying what is healthy as well as subtle references to what health means. E.g. explicit - statistics of obesity, subtle references to what is considered healthy in movies.

Question 18

How do peers influence our perspective on health?

Answer 18

We will generally have more conversations with our peers regarding health. And through these conversations we may take on values that our peers say is considered healthy. E.g. a group who regularly smokes and goes out for drinking is more likely to make the individual smoke and go out for drinking because it is the perceived ‘healthy’ in the group.

Question 19

How does family influence our perspective on health?

Answer 19

Family construct the basis of our beliefs and knowledge of everything, including health. This means that the knowledge of our health in our early years 0-16 will probably be based around what the family thinks, because we are most socialised by them. Also, the opinions of parents will normally be more valued.

Question 20

How might an individual’s perception of health affect their behaviour and wellbeing?

Answer 20

An inaccurate perception of health means that there will be a lot of bad implications on the individual’s health. This is because there is ignorance, which thus means that the individual may think they’re healthy when they’re not. Or may go to certain extents to be ‘healthy’ when it’s not actually too healthy. E.g. Someone with anorexia thinks they’re obese so they try to eat less.

People with accurate perception of their own health have a higher chance of acknowledging that maybe there is something wrong with their health and maybe make a change.

In other words, if our perception of health is different to the truth that means that our actions will not improve our health.

Question 21

What is the individual’s interpretation of health largely influenced by?

Answer 21

Socioeconomic status (Education, income, employment)

Sociocultural status (Family, peers, media, religion, culture)

Environment (Geographical, political, social, access to info and tech)

Question 22

What are the four determinants of health?

Answer 22

Individual factors
Sociocultural factors
Socioeconomic factors
Environmental factors

Question 23

What do Individual Factors mean, and what do they include? (4)

Answer 23

These are the factors which are unique to each person. They include:

The knowledge of health
Attitudes and values of health
Importance of leading a healthy lifestyle
Genetic Factors

Question 24

What do Sociocultural Factors mean, and what do they include? (5)

Answer 24

The sociocultural factors mean the social and cultural environment around you. They shape your values and importance you place on health. They include:

The communities we live in
Groups we belong to
Family
Peer Groups
Media
Religion
Cultural Background

Question 25

What do Socioeconomic Factors mean, and what do they include?

Answer 25

The socioeconomic factors mean the factors which influence the distribution of money, power and resources. They affect our access to health services. They include:

Education
Income
Employment

The health status of an individual is higher as socioeconomic factors improve

Question 26

What do Environmental Factors mean, and what do they include? (4)

Answer 26

Environmental factors mean the things present in the environment in which people live and work in, which can affect their health positively or negatively. They include:

Geographic location
Quality of Life
Food and water
Climatic conditions

Having a great environment can increase the health of individuals whereas bad environments have the opposite effect.

Question 27

What does it mean by the perception of health as social constructs mean?

Answer 27

It basically means that our understanding and interpretation of health is created and developed by our society. This means that the interpretation of health changes with time

Question 28

Why would perceptions of health be similar/different to others?

Answer 28

This is because their interpretation of health is influenced by a combination of socioeconomic, sociocultural and environmental status. Because of everyone has a unique and different statuses, that means that perceptions of health are different to each people dependent on their situation

Question 29

How do the different dimensions of health (social, mental, physical, emotional, spiritual) interact with each other?

Answer 29

All the different dimensions of health interact with each other because once one is affected, then another is most likely affected.

For example, having a bad social health will result in them also having mental health problems, bringing down both their mental and emotional health.

Another example is that if someone didn’t exercise enough, that means that their mental ability is also diminished.

Question 30

What are protective factors?

Answer 30

Protective factors are factors/conditions/attributes among communities/society and individuals that promote the health and well-being of individuals.

An example of this would be having positive attitude towards everything

Question 31

What are risk factors?

Answer 31

These are factors/conditions/attributes among communities/society and individuals that increase the likelihood of a negative health outcome (put the individual at risk).

An example of this would be a youth not using a condom when having sex

Question 32

Explain the impact of attitudes (as part of an individual factor) on the health of an individual

Answer 32

An individual’s attitude can have both positive and negative impacts on health

People who have a good attitude and value of health will prioritise health over other demands, and thus have a better health. Attitudes can include resilience, perseverance, self-belief and determination

An example of this is someone who values their health and has high perseverance is more likely to quit smoking for a healthier lifestyle.

Question 33

Explain the impact of knowledge and skill (as part of an individual factor) on the health of an individual. What are the key things people need to know?

Answer 33

This basically states that how much an individual knows about health influences how healthy they are. As part of this, people need to know (not limited to):
Where to get information
Healthy food choices / how to interpret food labels
Recommended levels of physical activity

Regarding to skills, they need to know (not limited to):
Decision making
Communication
Problem solving
Movement skills

Overall health knowledge leads to health literacy which is the ability to understand and interpret health information

Question 34

Explain the impact of genetics (as part of an individual factor) on the health of an individual.

Answer 34

This refers to the genes inherited from parents. Genes can pre-dispose certain people to particular diseases or health issues. For example, people could have inherited diabetes and pre-dispose them to other cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

However, they can also help prevent other diseases. For example, having sickle cell disease can prevent people from having malaria

Question 35

Explain the impact of family (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 35

Family impacts the view you place on health, and also influences behavioural choices relating to protective and risk factors. Family also determines culture and other determinants of health which largely impact the health, which is why it’s so important. Also a lot of the values come from the family

Question 36

Explain the impact of peers (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 36

Peers influence you by creating environments where you seek to fit into the group by adopting their behaviours. Young people commonly select peer groups based on what they want to belong to.

For example, a sporting group allows for an environment for developing sporting skills which improve physical health

Question 37

Explain the impact of media (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 37

The influence of media is often ore subtle and works by depicting certain people certain ways, which influences the person about how a certain person should act. This relates to health because if someone engaging in risk factors is considered ‘cool’, then people are more likely to try and engage in those risk factors to become cool

Question 38

Explain the impact of religion (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 38

Religions often have rules which promote certain values and beliefs among individuals which affect their health. For example, religions may say that you shouldn’t get drunk, and a devout follower of the religion will probably conform to that certain belief and thus engage in protective behaviours.

However, it can also have negative impacts. For example, a Buddhist Monk may be living in isolation which will impact their social and emotional health

Question 39

Explain the impact of culture (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 39

Culture refers to a combination of unique sets of beliefs, values and traditions. Culture can be good as it provides a sense of connection and belonging to a certain cultural group (improves social health).

It can also be bad as some cultural groups are more likely to engage in risk factors. For example ATSI people are more likely to engage with drinking because of their culture.

Question 40

Explain the impact of employment (as part of sociocultural factors) on the health of an individual.

Answer 40

Employment in this case refers to a person’s job and what they do for a living. Employment status and occupation has a large impact on health. For example, people with physically active jobs are more likely to exercise. This is compared to an executive who works long hours at a desk who is less likely to engage with physical activity.

Question 41

Explain the impact of education (as part of socioeconomic factors) on the health of an individual

Answer 41

Education can impact choice of employment, and as mentioned, employment can play a part in the health of a person. Education can also allow people to receive health education which will increase knowledge about health and thus increase health.

Education also allows for the development of skills such as doing research, knowing where to get info from etc.

Question 42

Explain the impact of income (as part of socioeconomic factors) on the health of an individual

Answer 42

Income refers to the money in the bank of an individual. Generally the more money which is able to be made, the greater the healthcare which can be afforded, which results in better health. Generally, higher income people have better health when compared to lower income people.

Question 43

Explain the impact of Geographical location (as part of environmental factors) on the health of an individual

Answer 43

Geographical location can determine if people are more exposed to or have limited access to certain health services or resources such as fresh water and more. It can also refer to geographical factors such as contamination of food and water, air pollution and chemicals of a certain area

Question 44

Explain the impact of Access to technology (as part of environmental factors) on the health of an individual

Answer 44

Access to technology is determined by geographical location and economic status. This is important as technology allows for access to health information which could be used to help expand knowledge and skills of an individual.

Question 45

Explain the impact of access to health services (as part of environmental factors) on the health of an individual

Answer 45

People who have an increased access to health services have a higher chance of surviving and being treated for certain diseases or injuries, this can increase their chances of survival and health in general. Also, an easy access to health services mean that there is less travel to get to the health service which allows them to get better health outcomes.

However, people in rural areas have less access to health services which is generally why they have worse health outcomes

Question 46

Is an individual’s health determined by the combinations of the different determinants of health? If so, give an example.

Answer 46

Yes. All the determinants of health are interrelated. For example education affects knowledge and skills

Another example is that geographical location is affected by employment and income

Question 47

What is a modifiable health determinant? What are two examples of this.

Answer 47

A modifiable health determinant means that it can be changed and controlled to a certain extent.

Some examples include knowledge and skills (and most other determinants of health)

Question 48

What is a non-modifiable health determinant? What is an example of this.

Answer 48

Non-modifiable health determinant means that it can never be changed.

An example of this is genetics

Question 49

How does the level of influence of the determinants change over time?

Answer 49

Certain determinants of health influence you more when you are younger, as opposed to when you’re older. For example, family will play a large part in the health of an individual until they reach a certain age, after that, the individual makes their own decisions on health and isn’t as affected by family.

Question 50

Is health purely an individual’s reponsibility?

Answer 50

No. This is because health is affected by context, other people, society, environment, education, income and thus it is something that our society has to take care of. In fact some determinants of health are purely affected by surroundings as opposed to the individual.

Question 51

What is health promotion? (according to WHO)

Answer 51

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants, and thus improve their health.

Question 52

What is an individual’s responsibility for health promotion?

Answer 52

Individual’s have a responsibility to promote their own health and take control of their own health to try achieve healthier outcomes. On the other hand. individuals also have a responsibility to promote health of those around them. An example of this is raising a child in a smoke-free environment.

Question 53

What is a community group/school’s responsibility for health promotion?

Answer 53

Schools play a part in health promotion through providing education to children regarding certain healthy behaviours. During school, teenagers also form healthy habits hopefully learnt from the school. It is good socialisation for children to provide them with good, healthy behaviours.

Community groups are also important as they promote health amongst local people (normally catered to a certain demographic). I.e. National Care of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern which promotes health amongst ATSI community in Redfern.

Question 54

What are the three key elements to health promotion according to WHO?

Answer 54

Good governance for health, health literacy, healthy cities

Question 55

What are the 3 responsibilities of non-government organisations when it comes to health promotion?

Answer 55

Many NGOs conduct research into certain diseases and try to discover cures to them. In this way, they are able to increase the healthiness of individuals and promote control of health. An example of this type of NGO is the National Stroke Foundation.

NGOs also play a role in supporting those who suffer from particular diseases or groups with social inequalities. Support can be in the form of counselling and distribution of information. I.e. Cancer Council

They also raise awareness on particular health issues and social justice.

Question 56

What are the responsibilities of the government when it comes to health promotion? (all levels)

Answer 56

Federal government - Writing national health policies, producing national health campaigns, funding for various health products and services

State government - Ambulance services, health infrastructure, health pathology

Local government - Waste removal, amenities, town planning, food safety

Question 57

What are the responsibilities of international organisations when it comes to health promotion?

Answer 57

The WHO (World Health Organisation) has several goals when it comes to health promotion such as:

Establishing universal health coverage
Achieving health related goals
Ensuring all countries can respond to public health threats
Increase access to quality, safe medical products
Address determinants of health

These are also the aims of most other international organisations

Question 58

When was the Ottawa Charter conference held?

Answer 58

It was held by WHO in Ottawa, Canada on 21 November 1986

Question 59

Why was the Ottawa Charter historically significant?

Answer 59

It was significant because it was the first international conference on health promotion. The conference was held as a response to expectations around the world for new public health movements, It allowed for a positive definition for health

Question 60

What are the 5 action areas of the Ottawa Charter?

Answer 60

Building Healthy Public Policy
Creating supportive Environments
Strengthening Community Action
Developing personal skills
Reorienting health services

Question 61

What are the three main strategies for health promotion?

Answer 61

Advocacy
Mediating
Enabling

Question 62

What are the three methods to promote health?

Answer 62

Lifestyle/behavioural approaches
Preventative Medical approaches
Public Health approaches

Question 63

What is meant by ‘lifestyle/behavioural approaches’ as a means of promoting health? What is an example of this approach

Answer 63

It means educating the individual to affect change in lifestyle and particular behaviours. There are many health promotion campaigns which use this approach such as the Quit Now campaign (tobacco). The goal of this is to provide knowledge about protective and risk factors associated with a behaviour and thus make informed decisions

Question 64

What is meant by ‘Preventative Medical Approaches’ as a means of promoting health? What is an example of this approach?

Answer 64

This approach involves the use of drugs and technologies to help prevent or eliminate health issues. Here, medication is commonly used to eliminate or treat risk factors. An example of this is the use of chemotherapy to help eliminate cancer cells from the body

Question 65

What are the three stages of prevention stages in preventative medical approaches and some examples?

Answer 65

Primary prevention stage - Aims to prevent illness from ever occurring (i.e. immunisation)

Secondary prevention stage - Aims to reduce the likelihood that a disease develops (i.e. cancer screening)

Tertiary Prevention stage - Aims to prevent chronic ill health occurring through use of rehabilitation (i.e. Asthma management plan)

Question 66

What is meant by ‘Public Health Approaches’ as a means of promoting health? What is an example of this approach?

Answer 66

It basically aims to change some of the social development of health through health promotion in schools and workplaces. This is able to be done through the school curriculum, implementing WHS programs, and reducing smoking and alcohol consumption amongst workplaces

Question 67

What is meant by ‘Developing Personal Skills’ from the Ottawa Charter? (What does it mean? What is the aim? What does it involve? Who is responsible?)

Answer 67

It basically means supporting the personal and social development of the individual. It aims to educate, provide health info, and improve the decision making of the individual. It involves modifying personal behaviours to enable people to learn and develop skills about health. It is commonly facilitated in school, home, and work settings.

Question 68

What is meant by ‘Creating Supportive Environments’ from the Ottawa Charter? (What does it mean? What is the aim? What does it involve? Who is responsible?)

Answer 68

It means making the places people live, work and play in, the source of good health. It aims to organise work and social environments to make them safe and enjoyable. It involves the use of support networks and community services. It is a global responsibility that is undertaken by governments, employers and families

Question 69

What is meant by ‘Strengthening Community Action’ from the Ottawa Charter? (What does it mean? What is the aim? What does it involve? Who is responsible?)

Answer 69

It basically means giving communities the power to identify their own health and take action with other agencies to address them. The aim is for communities to establish ‘ownership’ of their health problems and attempt to fix them. It involves empowering communities to take action. The schools, state and local governments are responsible for this.

Question 70

What is meant by ‘Reorienting Health Services’ from the Ottawa Charter? (What does it mean? What is the aim? What does it involve? Who is responsible?)

Answer 70

It basically means that health services are moving away from ‘clinical and curative services’ to a more ‘preventative’ approach. The aim is to establish a holistic attitude in health professionals. It involves moving from cure to prevention in health services. Health professionals, health institutions and governments are responsible for this.

Question 71

What is meant by ‘Building Health Public Policy’ from the Ottawa Charter? (What does it mean? What is the aim? What does it involve? Who is responsible?)

Answer 71

It basically ensures that decisions are made at all levels of gov and organisations are made so they work towards health improvements. The aim is to put health on the agenda of policy makers everywhere and ensure that policies undertaken impact health positively. It involves identifying and removing obstacles to the adoption of healthy policy as well as influencing policies on health. Governments are responsible for this

Question 72

What is the Ottawa Charter?

Answer 72

The Ottawa Charter was an international agreement about health promotion. It was developed by the WHO during an international conference on health promotion in 1986 and addressed health promotion for the first time. It has 5 main areas to it.

Question 73

What are the principles of social justice?

Answer 73

Social Justice basically means upholding human rights, and it involves advocating for people, valuing diversity and more. There are three main principles of social justice which are equity, diversity and supportive environments.

Question 74

What is equity as a principle of social justice? What is an example of equity?

Answer 74

Basically means promoting fairness and achieving equality. Health promotion equity is about everyone having a good level of health.

An example of this is Medicare enabling everyone to have access to a minimum, equal health system

Question 75

What is diversity as a principle of social justice? What is an example of diversity

Answer 75

Diversity basically means the valuing of people for who they are and ensuring that the health promotion campaigns meet their needs and is developed in an appropriate manner, catering for all the different types of people. For health promotion, it has to take into account the diverse nature of the audience

An example of this is the Close the Gap campaign, in which health services are provided in different ATSI dialects/languages to cater for the different tribe languages.

Question 76

What is ‘supportive environments’ as a principle of social justice? What is an example of it

Answer 76

Supportive environments attempt to uphold basic human rights through the maintenance of healthy development of physical, social and online environments.

An example of this is schools having a strict ‘no bully’ environment