Ultimate Unit 3/4 Health and Human development final exam cards

What is the WHO definition of Health?

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

What are the limitations to this definition?

• Using the term complete makes good health difficult to achieve 

• Although the definition moves beyond physical aspects of health, it is limiting as it doesn’t give everyone the chance to be considered healthy

• Definition does not include emotional and spiritual dimensions

What is the modified WHO definition of health?

Health is a resource for everyday life, not merely the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities

What is optimal health and wellbeing?

Optimal health and wellbeing is the highest level of health and wellbeing an individual can realistically attain, taking into account genetics and different environments where people live. 

Define the concept of wellbeing 

wellbeing is how a person feels about themselves and their life, based on personal opinion. 

what is health and wellbeing?

health and wellbeing relates to the state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual existence, and is characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable, and engaged. 

what does it mean if health and wellbeing is dynamic?

health and wellbeing is constantly changing. These changes can be both positive and negative. health and wellbeing can be good one moment but events can alter the state quickly. E.g. a person may feel stressed, so they go for a run which can reduce stress and anxiety levels. 

what does it mean if health and wellbeing is subjective?

health and wellbeing means different things to different people. a number of factors influence the way people view their health including age, athletic level, physical vs intellectual focus, occupation, and previous illness experience. E.g. a person with chronic disease may still experience good health and wellbeing if their condition is managed. 

define disease

a physical or mental disturbance, involving symptoms, dysfunction, or tissue damage. e.g. diagnosed condition such as diabetes, chest infection, broken leg

define illness

relates to how a person feels about and manages/experiences disease and injury. Illness is a subjective concept. Two people with the same disease or injury can experience different levels of illness. e.g. someone who has has tonsillitis for the first time compared to someone who has had it many times. 

what is an interrelationship?

An interrelationship means that the dimensions of health and wellbeing do not operate in isolation, and that they impact on each other. For example illness (physical hwb) can impact on social, emotional, spiritual, and mental health and wellbeing. 

define physical health and wellbeing

physical health and wellbeing relates to the functioning of the body and it’s systems. it includes the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks.

define social health and wellbeing

social health and wellbeing relates to the ability to form meaningful and satisfying relationships with others, and the ability to manage and adapt appropriately to different social situations. Includes the level of support provided by family and the community to allow contribution to society. 

define emotional health and wellbeing

emotional health relates to the ability to express feelings in an appropriate way. Emotional health is about the positive management expression of emotional actions/reactions, and the ability to display resilience. It is the degree to which a person feels emotionally secure and relaxed in everyday life. 

define mental health and wellbeing

mental health is the current state of wellbeing relating to the mind or brain, and it relates to the  cognitive ability to think and process information. It includes thought patterns, self esteem, and levels of stress and anxiety. 

define spiritual health and wellbeing

spiritual health and wellbeing relates to ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the mind and conscience of human beings. This includes concepts of hope and peace, a sense of meaning, place, and purpose in life, and a sense of connection and belonging to the world in which you live.

characteristics of physical health and wellbeing

• healthy body weight

• freedom from illness disease and injury

• well functioning body systems and organs

• optimal blood pressure

• adequate energy levels

• ability to complete physical tasks adequately

• appropriate levels of fitness

characteristics of social health and wellbeing

• supportive network of friends

• supportive and well functioning family 

• effective communication with others

• productive relationships with others

• ability to adapt to different social situations

characteristics of emotional health and wellbeing

• having a high level of resilience 

• recognise and understand a range of emotions

• effectively manage and express emotions

• experience appropriate emotions in different scenarios. 

characteristics of mental health and wellbeing

• low levels of stress and anxiety

• optimal self esteem

• positive thought patterns and optimism

• using logic and reasoning to make decisions

• ability to process information and solve problems

• high levels of confidence. 

characteristics of spiritual health and wellbeing

• positive meaning and purpose in life

• a sense of belonging and connection to the world

• peace and hope

• developed personal values and beliefs

• acting according to values and beliefs

define morbidity

ill health in an individual and levels of ill health in a population (often expressed through incidence and prevalence)

define mortality

relates to death often at a population level

define maternal mortality

death of a mother during pregnancy, birth, or within six weeks of delivery

define infant mortality

death in children between birth and their first birthday

define under five mortality

death in children between birth and their fifth birthday

define burden of disease

a measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between current health status, and an ideal situation in which everyone lives to old age free of disease and disability. Burden of disease is measured in a unit called DALY. 

define YLL (years of life lost)

a measure of how many years of expected life are lost due to premature death

define YLD (years lost due to disability)

a measure of how many years of healthy life are lost due to disease, injury, or disability. 

define incidence

the number or proportion of new cases of a condition during a given period of time (often 12 months)

define prevalence

the total number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time 

define DALY

a measure of burden of disease, one DALY is equivalent to one year of healthy life lost due to premature death and time lived with illness, disease, or injury

maternal mortality ratio

the number of mothers who die as a result of pregnancy or childbirth per 100 000 live births

infant mortality rate

the rate of deaths occurring in infants under the age of 1, usually expressed per 1000 live births 

define self-assessed health status

a measure based on a person’s own opinion about how they fee about their health and wellbeing, their state of mind, and their life in general. It is commonly sourced from population surveys and ranges from very poor to excellent. 

define health status

refers to an individuals or a populations overall levels of health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability, and levels of disease risk factors.

importance of health and wellbeing for individuals

• work productively 

• earn an income

• exercise

• spend time with friends

• sleep well

• live independently 

• gain an education

• reduced healthcare costs

importance of health and wellbeing nationally

• longer healthier lives

• health system savings

• fewer people relying on social security

• increased productivity

• higher average incomes

• reduced stress and anxiety in the community

• increased social participation

importance of health and wellbeing globally

• reduced risk of disease transmission between countries

• increased levels of peace and security

• more money and resources for sustainable practices

• increased productivity promotes trade between countries and global economic development

what does dynamic mean

Health and wellbeing is constantly changing. The rate of change will be different for all people, but they can change quickly and also over time. For example, health and wellbeing can be good one moment, but events can alter the state of health quickly. Such as someone experiencing a migraine can take medication and feel better quickly.

what does subjective mean

health and wellbeing means different things to different people. a number of things impact how a person views their health, such as age, fitness, body weight, social networks, occupation, education, and culture. for example a young person may have a high expectation for their health, but an elderly person may think health is being able to perform daily tasks. 

factors that contribute to variations in health status 

• biological

• sociocultural

• environmental

Biological Factors

factors relating to the body that impact on health status

• birth weight

• age

• body weight

• blood pressure

• cholesterol levels

• glucose regulation

• genetics

• hormones

Sociocultural Factors

the social and cultural conditions into which people are born, grow, live, work, and age

• early life experiences

• social networks

• social exclusion

• socioeconomic status e.g. income, education, occupation

• food security

• employment status

• access to healthcare

• cultural background + traditions 

Environmental Factors

the physical surroundings in which we live, work, and play 

• housing

• workplace

• infrastructure e.g. transportation, recreation facilities, health services. 

• geographic location

define behavioural and lifestyle factors

behaviours or lifestyle factors relate to actions or patterns of living of an individual or group that impact health outcomes, for example, smoking and sun protection practices.

health status risk factors

• smoking

• overweight and obesity

• alcohol

• under consumption of fruit and vegetables

• underconsumption of dairy

• high intake of fat

• high intake of salt

• high intake of sugar

• low intake of fibre

smoking contribution to disease/injury

• chemicals in cigarettes and vapes increase blood pressure and speed up the process of atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• tobacco smoke can cause faults in cells as they divide, leading to many types of cancer

• smoking during pregnancy causes low birth weight by restricting blood flow and nutrients to the developing baby

• exposure to tobacco in early life increases the risk of asthma

• damages the airways and increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

alcohol contribution to disease/injury

• contains kilojoules, which can lead to weight gain and obesity 

• alcohol is filtered through the liver and over time this can cause cirrhosis of the liver

• when alcohol is metabolised, a chemical is released that can damage DNA and lead to cancer

• alters behaviour and strains relationships, leading to increased risk of mental health issues

• affects motor control and judgement, increasing the risk of road trauma, accidents, and injury

• consuming alcohol while pregnant affects the baby’s development and can lead to foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) 

overweight and obesity contribution to disease/injury

• excess body weight places strain on the heart, and increases blood pressure which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and kidney disease

• fat cells send out signals to the rest of the body that can lead to production of higher levels of growth hormones being released. Increased cell division can increase the risk of cancer developing from a fault in these divisions

• decreases the ability of the cells to metabolise glucose, leading to impaired glucose regulation, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

• places extra strain on joints, increasing risk of arthritis

• can increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression

underconsumption of fruit and vegetables contribution to disease/injury

• fruit and vegetables are high in nutrients such as vitamin c and folate, which promote immune system functioning and reduce the risk of conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neural tube defects (spina bifida) 

• fruit and vegetables are high in fibre and low in kilojoules, which decreases the risk of overweight and obesity. underconsumption therefore increases that risk. 

• low fibre intake can increase the levels of low density lipoproteins in the body, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis

• fruit and vegetables contain antioxidants which decrease the impact of free radicals in the body, decreasing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Underconsumption therefore increases this risk. 

underconsumption of dairy contributions to disease/injury

• contributes to low calcium intake which is required to maintain strong bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, which is characterised by low bone density 

• has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The reason for this is not known. 

• contributes to weakened tooth enamel and increased risk of dental caries. 

high intake of fat contributions to disease/injury

• fats are energy dense and contribute to weight gain is consumed in excess

• high intake of trans and saturated fats increase LDL cholesterol, speeding up the process of atherosclerosis and the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

• saturated and trans fats can damage cell membranes which are responsible for allowing glucose into the cell. This increases the risk of impaired glucose regulation, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. 

high intake of salt contribution to disease/injury

• increases blood volume by drawing liquid out from cells into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and therefore cardiovascular disease

• causes calcium to be excreted in urine, which contributes to decreased bone density and therefore increased risk of osteoporosis. 

high intake of sugar contributions to disease/injury

• sugar is a type of carbohydrate. They are energy dense and if consumed in excess are stored as adipose (fat tissue) in the body, therefore contributing to weight gain

• provide food for bacteria in the mouth, which can then increase the risk of dental caries and gum disease.

Low intake of fibre contributions to disease/injury

• fibre provides feelings of fullness and reduces the absorption of glucose which is energy dense. As a result, low intake of fibre increases the risk of weight gain

• fibre adds bulk to faeces and assists in regulating the digestive system and removing waste. Low intake then increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

• fibre attaches to LDL cholesterol and reduces the amount absorbed. Low intake of fibre then increases LDL cholesterol in the blood and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

trends in leading causes of mortality

• infectious and parasitic diseases — were a leading cause of death in Australia in the start of the 20th century due to living conditions, with children being more susceptible to these conditions

• Cardiovascular disease — mortality rates increased in the early 1900’s, and reached their peak in the 1960’s

• Cancer — has been the leading cause of death since 1900, mortality rates increased since 1900, and reached their peak in 1980

• respiratory disease — mortality rates due to pneumonia, asthma, influenza, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have decreased overall from 1900 to 2018

• injury and poisoning — death rates for this have halved for both males and females since 1900

Models of health

• old public health

• biomedical model of health

• social model of health — Ottawa Charter 

what is old public health

public health actions that focussed mainly on the physical environment and grew out of the understanding of infectious disease.

what is the biomedical model of health

focusses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness. It is a medical model of care practiced by doctors and/or health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disease. 

characteristics of the biomedical model of health

• focuses on individuals with disease or injury

• attempts to return the person to their pre illness state

• involves medical professionals and medical technology

what is the social model of health

a model that acknowledges that improvements in health are achieved by directing efforts towards addressing sociocultural and environmental factor. The model promotes equity by implementing policies that aim to primarily address lifestyle related diseases and injuries. whole communities are at the focus of the social model of health.

characteristics of the social model of health

• targets the broader determinants of health (environmental and sociocultural factors)

• focuses on the impact of lifestyle based disease

• focuses on the prevention and promotion through policies and education

• targets whole communities

• addresses inequity in health status 

what is the ottawa charter for health promotion

an approach to health developed by the world health organisation which attempts to reduce the inequalities in health and wellbeing and improve health status for all. The ottawa charter for health promotion was developed from the social model of health, and identifies five action areas that form the foundation of this approach to health promotion. 

define public health

relates to the actions of governments that work to promote health outcomes and prevent illness

examples of old public health

• provision of clean water 

• improved sanitation

• funding and implementation of mass vaccination programs

• quarantine laws

• food quality legislation

• housing regulations

• workplace regulations 

examples of the biomedical model of health

• the development of medicines e.g. penicillin, chemotherapy, and vaccines

• surgery

• the development and use of medical technology e.g. X-rays, MRI’s, heart lung bypass machine

• medication to lower blood pressure

examples of the social model of health

• laws that prevent smoking in public places

• no hat/no play policies in schools

• the funding of education programs to promote road safety

• the provision of walking and cycling paths to promote physical activity

• food labelling initiatives that inform consumers of healthier options, such as the health star rating system

strengths of the biomedical model of health

• creates advancements in technology and research

• enables many common problems to be effectively treated, without which would cause death

• it extends life expectancy through treatment and cure of diseases  

• improves quality of life for people with chronic conditions

limitations of the biomedical model of health

• relies on professional health workers and technology and is therefore costly

• doesn’t always promote good health and wellbeing 

• encourages reliance on quick fix solutions

• not every condition can be treated or cured, e.g. cancer 

• not all individuals can afford the medical technologies and resources in the biomedical model

strengths of the social model of health

• promotes good health and wellbeing and assists in preventing diseases by focussing on the broader determinants of health

• promotes overall wellbeing as it doesn’t just focus on diseases that are present

• cost effective compared to treating disease once present

• focusses on vulnerable population groups

• education can be passed down from generation to generation

• the responsibility of health and wellbeing is shared

limitations of the social model of health

• not every condition can be prevented e.g. some cancers

• it does not address individual health concerns, such as those who are sick are not the specific focus of the social model of health

• health promotion methods may be ignored, and the social model relies on the cooperation of the public

what is the relationship between the social and biomedical model of health 

the biomedical and social models of health view health and illness from different perspectives. Both the social model of health and the biomedical model work together to improve health outcomes for all and achieve maximum benefits to health and wellbeing. 

define the ottawa charter

the ottawa charter is an approach to health developed in response to the social model of health by the world health organisation and attempts to reduce inequalities in health. 

what are the ottawa charter action areas?

• build healthy public policy

• create supportive environments

• strengthen community action

• develop personal skills

• reorient health services

define build healthy public policy

governments, non-government organisations, and decision makers in the community can promote health and wellbeing by developing laws and policies and providing funding to promote health 

examples of build healthy public policy

• banning smoking in public places

• no hat no play school policies

• seat belt laws

• taxes on tobacco

define create supportive environments

involves making healthy choices easier by providing a physical and social environment that promotes health and wellbeing

examples of create supportive environments

• Quitline to reduce smoking

• healthy food choices in school canteens

• sunshade in school yards and public places 

• phone numbers to support websites such as beyond blue

define strengthen community action

involves many different groups in the community to engage as many community members as possible to work together to achieve a better goal of good health

examples of strengthen community action

• immunisation advertisements and programs with schools and doctors

• developing a whole school approach to healthy eating, nude food

• two or more groups working together to improve Indigenous mental health

define develop personal skills

educate people with the knowledge and skills that need to take control over and improve their health and wellbeing

examples of develop personal skills

• healthy cooking classes

• anger management classes

• slip slop slap seek slide campaigns that teach people the skills to be sun safe

define reorient health services

involves health professionals working in a preventative manner to focus on health promotion instead of treatment and cure

examples of reorient health services

• doctors running anti smoking programs for teens to prevent them from smoking

• doctors recommending physical activity to reduce the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease

• ambulance paramedics providing road safety programs 

why are issues targeted by health promotion?

• they contribute significantly to the burden of disease in australia

• they incur substantial economic costs through healthcare, absenteeism, loss of productivity, and social security payments

• they are associated with considerable social impacts, such as avoidable deaths and inequalities between population groups

• they all have a modifiable component and, if addressed, significant improvements can be made, e.g. rates of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by decreasing consumption of sodium

what are the principles of social justice

• human rights

• access

• participation

• equity

explain human rights

human rights relate to the freedoms and conditions that every person is entitled to, regardless of factors such as race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and sex. Governments must work to ensure that all people have their human rights promoted, respected, and protected. e.g. right to healthcare, the right to education, the right to life, freedom of religion. 

explain access

all people must have adequate access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, including food, safe water, shelter, education, employment, income, and healthcare, and to participate in decisions that affect their lives, such as if and when they get married or have children, and the sorts of jobs they do.

explain participation

everyone in society has the opportunity to participate in the community and have their voice represented.

explain equity

disadvantaged individuals and groups need to have their specific challenges addressed, so they can achieve the same level of health and wellbeing as others in the population. In this sense, equity relates to providing more support to those who need it. 

evaluating initiatives to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes

• have actual improvements been made as a result of the program?

• has the program had a large number of participants?

• has the feedback from participants been positive?

• have the action areas of the Ottawa charter been used to develop the initiative?

• is the program culturally appropriate?

• is the program addressing a specific need of the community?

• has adequate funding been provided?

What are the Australian Dietary Guidelines?

the Australian dietary guidelines are a federal government initiative of five written guidelines intended to be used by health professionals, educators, industry bodies, and other interested parties including consumers to improve their diet to prevent diet related diseases, and promote optimal health. The guidelines include serving sizes, and advice based on age, gender, size, and activity levels, and provide advice for pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

What is Guideline 1?

to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy levels. 

what is Guideline 2?

enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day:

• grain foods

• vegetables

• fruit

• lean meats and alternatives

• dairy foods and alternatives

what is Guideline 3?

limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars, and alcohol

what is Guideline 4?

encourage, support, and promote breastfeeding

what is Guideline 5?

care for your food; prepare and store it safely

what is the Australian guide to healthy eating?

• a food selection model developed by the federal government

• also known as the plate model, the AGTHE shows the proportions that the five different food groups should be consumed in

• it shows foods that are energy dense and that should be consumed only sometimes and in small amounts

• it shows monunsaturated fats and oils that should be consumed in small amounts

• the visual shows a tap filling a glass up with water as a means of encouraging water consumption as peoples main drink

• it is a visual representation of guidelines 2 and 3 

food groups in the AGTHE

• grains (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or cereal fibre varieties

• vegetables a legumes/beans

• fruit

• milk, yogurt, cheese, and/or alternatives, mostly reduced fat

• lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, and legumes/beans

• discretionary foods