VCE Health & Human Development Flashcards

Flashcards on Health and Human Development

Health (WHO Definition)

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

Physical Health

Functioning of the body and its systems (e.g., energy levels, absence of disease, ideal body weight).

Social Health

Ability to form meaningful relationships and adapt to social situations (e.g., friendships, positive communication)

Emotional Health

Ability to express and manage emotions (e.g., resilience, emotional regulation).

Mental Health

Ability to process information, confidence, and positive self-esteem.

Spiritual Health

Sense of belonging, values, purpose, and peace (not necessarily religious).

Peace

Absence of conflict reduces physical and mental harm.

Shelter

Protects against weather, provides safety.

Education

Leads to better job prospects, health literacy.

Food security

Ensures sufficient, safe, nutritious food.

Income

Enables access to essentials: healthcare, food, housing.

Stable ecosystem

Clean air, water, and natural resources.

Sustainable resources

Ensure future generations can access essentials.

Social justice

Fairness and equal rights for all people.

Equity

Support is provided according to needs to ensure equal outcomes.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease or condition during a specific time period (e.g., new cases of diabetes diagnosed in 2024).

Prevalence

The total number of cases (both new and existing) of a disease or condition at a given time.

Morbidity

Refers to ill health in an individual and the levels of ill health in a population (includes both incidence and prevalence).

Mortality

The number of deaths caused by disease, illness, or injury in a population.

Burden of Disease

Measures the impact of disease in a population using a combination of years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD); measured in DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years).

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live if current death rates remain the same.

Self-assessed Health Status

Based on an individual’s perception of their own health.

Core Activity Limitation

Difficulty in performing self-care, mobility, or communication due to disability or chronic illness.

Psychological Distress

Measured by tools such as the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), reflecting levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Health Inequalities

Differences in health status between individuals or population groups, influenced by socioeconomic status, culture, gender, and geographical location.

Direct Costs (to Individual)

Out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment.

Indirect Costs

Secondary financial consequences of illness.

Intangible Costs

Emotional and social impacts of illness, difficult to measure but affect quality of life.

Primary Care

First point of contact (e.g., GP, allied health).

Specialist Care

For complex issues (e.g., mental health, oncology).

Hospitals

Emergency, surgery, or inpatient care.

Medicare

Australia’s universal health insurance: free/subsidised treatment.

Carbohydrates

Main source of energy.

Fibre

Supports digestion.

Protein

Builds and repairs tissue.

Fats (good)

Protect organs, support cell function.

Fats (bad)

Increases risk of heart disease.

Water

Regulates body temp & removes waste.

Vitamin C

Strengthens immune system.

Vitamin D

Helps absorb calcium.

Iron

Makes haemoglobin (oxygen transport).

Calcium

Strengthens bones & teeth.

Sodium

Regulates fluids, muscles.

Folate (B9)

Makes new cells, prevents neural tube defects.

AGHE Plate

Visual plate showing proportions of food groups.

Healthy Eating Pyramid

Encourages more veggies & whole grains, limits junk.

Health Star Rating

Helps compare packaged food based on nutrition.

Dietitian

Qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy.

Nutritionist

General advice on healthy eating, not for medical treatment.

REAL Strategy

Read the web address, Examine the content and credibility, Ask who wrote it, Look at the Links