Unit 1: AOS 1 - Concepts of health (Dimensions, Prerequisites and Perspectives) Flashcards
1
Q
What is the World Health Organization (WHO) 1946 definition of health?
A
‘health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’
2
Q
What are the strengths of WHO’s (1946) definition?
A
- This definition was positive because it recognised that health was more than just physical health
3
Q
What are the limitations of WHO’s (1946) definition?
A
- It does not give everyone the opportunity to be considered healthy - unachievable for most.
- For example, trying to achieve ‘complete’ wellbeing in just one of the dimensions identified is difficult, let alone all dimensions.
4
Q
What is the World Health Organization (WHO) 1986 definition of health? (40 years later)
A
“a resource for everyday life, not just the objective for living. It is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”
5
Q
What are the strengths of WHO’s (1986) definition?
A
- The definition of health becomes more inclusive and more achievable
- The focus on personal resources and physical capacities means that health is dependent on an individuals own situation.
- A person can be considered healthy even if they do not have ‘complete’ wellbeing in the dimensions of physical, social and mental health.
6
Q
Define ‘Health’?
A
Relates to physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions
7
Q
Define ‘Wellbeing’?
A
An equilibrium in which an individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged
8
Q
What are some factors that influence health and wellbeing?
A
- Regular Exercise
- Realistic and achievable goals
- Healthy self-esteem
- Sufficient sleep
- Fun hobbies
- Optimistic outlook
- Sense of purpose and meaning
- Sense of belonging
- The ability to adapt or change
- Nutritious diet
- Enough money
- Spiritual or religious beliefs
- Network of close friends
- Enjoyable and fulfilling career
- Happy intimate relationship with a partner
9
Q
What are the 5 dimensions of health? (PEMSS)
A
- Physical
- Emotional
- Mental
- Social
- Spiritual
10
Q
What is Physical health and wellbeing?
A
Physical H&W relates to the functioning of the body and its systems, in which a person can perform their daily tasks without physical restriction.
11
Q
What are some Physical H&W characteristics?
A
- Physical fitness
- Body weight
- The absence of disease or illness
- Energy levels
- Optimal blood pressure
12
Q
What is Social health and wellbeing?
A
Social H&W is concerned with the ability to form meaningful relationships with others, as well as the ability to adapt appropriately to different social situations.
13
Q
What are some Social H&W characteristics?
A
- Productive relationships with others
- Supportive and well-functioning family
- Supportive network of friends
- Ability to adapt or manage different social situations
14
Q
What is Emotional health and wellbeing?
A
Emotional H&W is the ability to recognise, understand and effectively manage and express emotions, as well as the ability to display resilience.
15
Q
What are some Emotional H&W characteristics?
A
- Recognise a range of emotions
- Possess the ability to recover from misfortune
- Adequately respond to, express and manage emotions
- Experience appropriate emotions in various scenarios
16
Q
What is Mental health and wellbeing?
A
Mental H&W is the current state of wellbeing relating to the mind/brain and includes the ability to think and process information.
17
Q
What are some Mental H&W characteristics?
A
- Low levels of stress and anxiety
- Positive self esteem
- High levels of confidence
- Positive thought patterns
- Process information to solve problems
- Use logic and reasoning to form opinions, make decisions and solve problems
18
Q
What is Spiritual health and wellbeing?
A
Spiritual H&W relates to ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the minds and conscience of human beings.
19
Q
What are some Spiritual H&W characteristics?
A
- Having a sense of belonging
- Having meaning and purpose in life
- Experiencing peace and harmony
- Acting according to values and beliefs
20
Q
What are the prerequisites of health (broad definition)?
A
The basic conditions and resources that must be available if any gains in health and wellbeing are to occur.
21
Q
What are the 9 prerequisites of health?
A
- Peace
- Shelter
- Food
- Education
- Income
- Stable ecosystem
- Sustainable resources
- Social justice
- Equity
22
Q
Define peace as a prerequisite?
A
- Peace relates to the absence of conflict.
- When a community or country is experiencing peace, there is a decreased risk of premature death, serious injury and disability.
- Individuals can focus on things that fulfill their lives such as working, going to school or spending time with loved ones.
- Instead of waging war, governments can focus on providing resources and services to the community such as education and health care.
23
Q
Define shelter as a prerequisite?
A
- Shelter describes a structure that provides protection from the outside environment.
- Adequate shelter is a basic human right and provides a number of benefits to health. These include:
1. protection from the elements
2. privacy
3. safety and security
4. reduced risk of disease
5. reduced stress and anxiety
6. ability to focus on employment or education
7. more time to pursue a purposeful and meaningful life
24
Q
Define food as a prerequisite?
A
- Food is required by the body for many processes such as energy production, growth and body system functioning.
- Access to nutritious food allows for:
1. Improved immune systems
2. Adequate energy levels
3. Improved intellectual functioning
4. Functioning body systems
5. Less risk of food poisoning
25
Define education as a prerequisite?
- Ensuring that all children complete a full course of primary and secondary schooling and that everyone can develop the skills they need to gain meaningful employment.
26
Define Income as a prerequisite?
For individuals, income increases the ability to afford resources such as:
- healthcare
- recreation
- transport
- education.
From a population perspective, income increases the capacity of governments to provide:
- social services and resources such as public housing, education and healthcare
- social security
- infrastructure
- recreation facilities such as parks and gardens
- law and order.
27
Define social justice as a prerequisite?
When society is just, all people have the same access to resources and opportunities, including:
- formal education
- meaningful employment and fair pay
- adequate shelter
- social security
- food and water
- healthcare
- recreation and leisure activities
- community participation.
28
Define equity as a prerequisite?
- In basic terms, equity means that disadvantaged groups are targeted to improve their quality of life and achieve minimum standards of living.
- Equity focuses on providing extra support and assistance to groups who are disadvantaged, to ensure they can reach an acceptable standard of living.
29
Define sustainable resources as a prerequisite?
- Sustainable resources relate to ensuring that the resources used to promote health and wellbeing in the present are available for future generations, so they too can experience a good quality of life.
Sustainable resources provide:
- Ongoing access to materials and resources required for heating and shelter
- Ongoing access to sufficient food sources and clean water
30
Define a stable ecosystem as a prerequisite?
- A balanced relationship between the environment and the species living within the environment
31
Define the term 'perspective'?
A particular attitude towards something; a point of view.
32
What is the subjective nature of health and wellbeing?
The subjective nature of health and wellbeing is the way in which people’s view of health and wellbeing is influenced by or based on personal beliefs, feelings, experiences or opinions.
33
What is the early primary-school aged (prep to grade 4) children's perspective on H&W?
Their understanding about health stems from the knowledge of what makes a healthy body, with the focus on growing up and being safe.
34
What is the young people aged 15 to 24's perspective on H&W?
- They are often associated with body image
- Social media targets people with the idea of the 'perfect body'.
35
What is the early adulthood (25-39 years)'s perspective on H&W?
- Physical appearance and body image are a major influence on perspectives of health and wellbeing.
36
What is the middle adulthood (40-64)'s perspective on H&W?
- Their views are largely associated with illness prevention, as this is the time when chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancers, will often present themselves.
37
What are people in later adulthood (65+)'s perspectives on H&W?
- Illness prevention is a priority
- Health and wellbeing also becomes about a person's ability to live independently and with a degree of mobility.
38
What is socioeconomic status?
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure of a person’s (or a group’s) social and economic position based on income, education and occupation.
39
How does culture influence health beliefs?
- Role of family in decision making (whole family takes part in decision making)
- Understanding of and stigma (=negative stereotype) around mental health
- Mistrust of conventional health treatments (more likely to use cultural/bush medicines)
- Superstitions regarding health problems
- Cultural influences in relation to ideal body and eating practices (cultures might have more vegetarian/vegan diets)
40
How does religion influence health beliefs?
- Diet, which can influence physical health
- Buddhists and some Hindus are vegetarian
- In Islam, alcohol is forbidden (and many -Buddhists abstain as well)
- Studies have shown that religious practices can lower blood pressure and increase ability to cope with stress. This could be due to social support from attending church or prayer services and/or having time to reflect/pray.
41
How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples view health and wellbeing?
- Culture impacts how Indigenous people view health and wellbeing.
- These include their reasons for using health services, the acceptance of treatment and the likelihood that they will adhere to treatment.
- Along with culture, land is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- The land is the core of their existence; it is their connection and spiritual relationship to ‘country’ which explains their identity.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples believe it is their duty to care for the land, and in caring for the land they are strengthening their cultures and health and wellbeing.
42
What does Social and emotional health and wellbeing mean for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
- Social and emotional health and wellbeing are the foundations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's physical and mental health and wellbeing.
- Relationships between the individual, their family and their community greatly influence overall physical and mental health and wellbeing
- Positive family and community relationships affect social and emotional H&W, which is essential for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to lead successful and fulfilling lives.
43
What are the 7 aspects of health and wellbeing for an Indigenous community?
- Body
- Mind and emotions
- Family and kinship
- Spirit, spirituality and ancestors
- Country
- Culture
- Community
