Unit 3 AOS 1

Question 1

Define life expectancy

Answer 1

An indication of how long someone can expect to live, it is the number of years of life remaining to a person at a particular age if death rates do not change

Question 2

Define HALE (Health adjusted life expectancy)

Answer 2

A measure of burden of disease based on life expectancy at birth, but including an adjustment for time spent in poor health. It is the number of years in full health a person can expect to live, based on current rates of ill health and mortality.

Question 3

Define DALYs (Disability adjusted life years)

Answer 3

A measure of burden of disease. One DALY equals one year of healthy life lost due to premature death or time lived with illness, disease or injury.

Question 4

Define Heath status

Answer 4

An individual’s or a population’s overall health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability and level of disease risk factors.

Question 5

Define years of life lost (YLL)

Answer 5

A measure of how many years of expected are lost due to premature death.

Question 6

Define Years Lost due to Disability (YLD)

Answer 6

A measure of how many years of life are lost due to illness, injury or disability.

Question 7

Define Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)

Answer 7

The number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1,000 live births

Question 8

Define mortality

Answer 8

Refers to deaths in a population

Question 9

Define morbidity

Answer 9

Refers to ill health in an individual and the levels of ill health in a population or group.

Question 10

Define incidence

Answer 10

The number or rate of new cases of a disease during a specified period of time (usually 12 months)

Question 11

Define prevalence

Answer 11

The number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time.

Question 12

Define health

Answer 12

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 13

Define physical health

Answer 13

Relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, and includes the physical capacity to perform tasks and physical fitness.

Question 14

Define social health

Answer 14

Refers to being able to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and cooperative way.

Question 15

Define mental health

Answer 15

A state of well being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.

Question 16

Define determinants of health

Answer 16

Factors that affect the level of health in a population or individual. Determinants help to explain or predict trends in health and why some groups have better or worse health than others.

Question 17

Define biological determinants

Answer 17

Factors relating to the body that impact on health, such as genetics, hormones, body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, birth weight

Question 18

Define behavioural determinants

Answer 18

Actions or patterns of living of an individual or a group that impact on health, such as smoking, sexual activity, participation in physical activity and eating practices.

Question 19

Define physical environment determinants

Answer 19

The physical surroundings in which we live, work and play. The physical environment includes water and air, workplaces, housing, roads, nature, schools, recreational settings and exposure to hazards.

Question 20

Define social determinants

Answer 20

Aspects of society and the social environment that impact on health, such as poverty, early life experiences, social networks and support.

Question 21

What is syndrome x?

Answer 21

When a person exhibits a range of factors that increase their risk of cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes. Examples of the factors include abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and insulin resistance.

Question 22

Define burden of disease

Answer 22

A measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between the current health status and an ideal situation where everyone lives to an old age free of disease and disability.

Question 23

Describe atherosclreosis

Answer 23

Atherosclerosis is the build up of plaque on blood vessel walls, making it harder for blood to get through

Question 24

Define blood pressure

Answer 24

Blood pressure relates to the pressure the blood exerts on the blood vessel walls as it is pushed around the body by the heart.

Question 25

Explain what cholesterol is and how it can contribute to negative health outcomes

Answer 25

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is present in some foods and is produced in the liver. When produced or consumed in excess, it stays in the bloodstream and sticks to the walls of the blood vessels. This can increase blood pressure, leading to cardiovascular disease.

Question 26

What is the role of insulin with regard to glucose regulation?

Answer 26

Insulin acts as a key, opening up muscle cells around the body by binding to its receptors, allowing glucose to be consumed and to produce energy.