HEAL 2600 Midterm **UPDATED**

Health

A state where an individual is physically and mentally well, free from disease, and can perform daily activities effectively. The WHO defines health as complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, not just the absence of illness.

Health Promotion

The process of helping people gain control over and improve their health, focusing on lifestyle and individual power to enhance health and wellbeing.

Prerequisites for Health

Essential factors that contribute to health include peace, shelter, education, food, income, a stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice, and fairness.

Health Concept

Health is uniquely defined by individuals, often viewed as the ability to function well and live a disease-preventing lifestyle.

Leading Health Problems

Major health issues related to behavioral risks such as smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, substance abuse, ineffective stress management, and insufficient life skills.

Health Canada’s 12 Determinants of Health

Factors affecting health include healthy behaviors, early life experiences, education, gender, culture, social environment, biological factors, income, employment conditions, access to health services, physical surroundings, and social support.

What are the SDOH?

Social Determinants of Health are the social and economic conditions that influence individual and community health.

Life Course Health Perspective

This perspective emphasizes that health is influenced by various factors over a lifetime. It views health as a continuous process shaped by risk and protective factors as well as early experiences.

Life Course Health Development (LCHD)

The cumulative effects of certain exposures on health throughout life stages, including early influences during critical development periods.

Social Determinants of Ill Health

Unhealthy behaviors can stem from social factors, where positive social indicators like education and jobs can also create stress.

Stress

A general response to both positive and negative experiences.

Stressors

Challenging events in life that contribute to stress, such as losing a loved one.

Distress

Anxiety and physical health issues that arise from stress.

Eustress

Positive stress that can lead to excitement and motivation.

Acute Stress

Short-term stress often experienced during challenging events like exams.

Chronic Stress

Long-lasting stress resulting from ongoing life challenges.

Early Physiological Stress Measurements

Initial indicators of stress response included pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure, linked to the body's fight-or-flight reaction.

Modern Physiological Measurements

Current stress indicators include stress hormones (like cortisol) and other biological factors, emphasizing the need for ethical human research.

Modern Psychological Measurements

Researching stress now includes assessing life events and personal health crises to understand stress perception and effects.

Research on Stress and Health

Studies have identified links between stress and a variety of health issues, including cardiovascular problems.

Theory of Planned Behavior

Behavior is influenced by intentions, attitudes, and perceived norms.

Outer Influencer

Mechanisms that assist in stress management and creating a sense of control.

Perceived Control

The belief that one can influence their circumstances in two main ways.

Primary Control

Efforts to actively change or influence one's environment.

Secondary Control

Changing personal perspectives or thoughts to adapt to the environment.

Predictive Control

Gaining control by knowing about potential negative events before they happen.

Illusory Control

The belief that one can control outcomes through luck or fate.

Vicarious Control

Feeling control because of association with stronger others.

Interpretive Control

Reframing negative situations to uncover possible positives.

Viktor E. Frankl

A Holocaust survivor who taught coping mechanisms to others, advocating for a sense of control even in difficult situations.

Research Supporting Perceived Control

Decades of research indicate that those who feel control over their lives experience less stress and better health.

Underlying Premises

Biological and genetic factors significantly influence health outcomes.

Infant Screening

Standardized health tests for infants should be uniformly executed across regions for early detection of health issues.

Cystic Fibrosis

A genetic disorder affecting the lungs, causing breathing difficulties and frequent infections.

Save Babies Through Screening Foundation Research

Case studies that highlight the importance of early screening for genetic disorders to prevent severe health issues.

Save Babies Through Screening Foundation Treatment

Early diagnosis leads to effective management of genetic disorders, enhancing the quality of life for affected infants.

Save Babies Through Screening Foundation PKU

A crucial metabolic disorder detectable within 24-48 hours of birth, necessary for healthy growth.

Supplemental Newborn Screening Kits

At-home screening options provide accessibility, though inequities exist for low-income families.

Dr. Richard Gordon

A pioneer in adult genetic testing, aiming to improve early disease detection through innovative scanning technology.

Adult Screening

Preemptive health examinations conducted to prevent future complications.

Treatment Based

Healthcare that occurs in response to symptoms.

Prevention Based

Healthcare designed to prevent issues before symptoms arise.

Cancer

One of the most researched diseases, focused on identifying genetic risk factors and innovative treatments.

Incipient Myopia and PKU

Eye condition stemming from specific genetic disorders.

CT Scan

A medical imaging technique that creates 3D images by compiling multiple x-ray slices.

MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

An advanced imaging method using magnetic fields to generate detailed images without radiation.

Underlying Premises of Education and Literacy

Education enhances knowledge, increases control over life, and improves job prospects.

Canadians with Higher Education

Tend to be healthier, more active, and better prepared for parenting.

Canadians with Low Literacy Skills

Face higher rates of unemployment, poverty, and poor health outcomes.

Education Relates to Absence from Work

Higher education correlates with fewer sick days from work.

Early School Readiness and Later Outcomes

Programs aiding emotional and social development can reduce dropout rates.

Education & Income

These metrics are closely linked, with one often serving as an indicator of the other.

The Downward Spiral to Ill Health

Lower education and income often lead to poorer health.

Breaking the Cycle: The War on Poverty

A 1964 initiative aimed at reducing poverty through education and healthcare funding.

The War on Poverty: The Head Start Program

An early childhood program designed to support disadvantaged children.

The War on Poverty: The High Scope/Perry Preschool Project

A program providing early education to impoverished children, showing long-term benefits.

The High Scope/Perry Preschool Project (Methods)

A study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a preschool program for at-risk children.

The High Scope/Perry Project (Findings)

Participants showed higher rates of graduation, employment, income, and lower rates of criminal activity.

The High Scope/Perry Project (Conclusions)

Early intervention yields significant benefits in education, employment, and life outcomes.

The High Scope/Perry Project (Cost/Benefit Analysis)

The program costs served as an investment, returning savings through reduced need for social services.

The High Scope/Perry Project Q&A #1

Inherent confidence in findings despite small sample size.

The High Scope/Perry Project Q&A #2

Findings can generalize to other similar programs with proper structure.

The High Scope/Perry Project Q&A #3

Principles of human behavior remain consistent over time, making findings relevant.

The High Scope/Perry Project Q&A #4

Gender differences in program impact attributed to developmental stages.

Dropout

Defined as a student who leaves high school before graduation, with higher rates observed in males and low-income households.

Work & School

A study that assesses high school students' work commitments and their impact on education.

Risk and Protective Factors

Employment while in school can act as a protective factor against dropping out.

Other Risk Factors (for Dropout)

Includes geographic location, family dynamics, behavioral issues, and academic struggles.

How Does Gender Affect Health?

Men typically have higher mortality rates and health issues despite women living longer but facing chronic stress conditions.

Depression

A serious condition that impacts mood, behavior, and overall functioning, affecting multiple aspects of life.

Major Depression Disorder

Intense, persistent symptoms that interfere with daily functioning and overall quality of life.

Dysthymia Disorder

A chronic, mild form of depression present for over two years, affecting daily life enjoyment.

Manic Depression

Also known as bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings between highs and lows.

Symptoms of Depression

Common indicators include mood changes, lack of energy, sleep issues, and suicidal thoughts.

Comorbidities of Depression (Anxiety Disorders)

Includes PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, and chronic health conditions that often co-occur with depression.

PTSD

A disorder triggered by experiencing a traumatic event, leading to reliving memories and emotional distress.

OCD

Characterized by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life.

Panic Disorder

Marked by recurring panic attacks and intense fear without a clear cause.

Social Phobia

An overwhelming fear of social situations and being judged.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Chronic anxiety and worry that affects daily life, often without a clear stressor.

Gender Differences in Depression

Women are more affected by depression than men, especially during adolescent years.

Gender Differences in Symptom Expression

Men often cope through risk-taking and substance use; women tend to ruminate and exhibit emotional responses.

What is Sex?

Refers to biological differences, including physical traits and reproductive systems.

What is Gender?

A socially constructed concept related to the roles and behaviors society assigns to different sexes.

Gender Differences in Depression (Psychological)

Differences in personality traits, with women scoring higher on traits linked to anxiety and emotional sensitivity.

Gender Differences in Depression (Social)

Women tend to engage in caregiving roles and face more negative life events impacting mental health.

Sex Differences in Depression

Biological factors, including genetics and hormones, contribute to differing rates of depression.

Depression Prevention

Strategies include stress management, self-care, and seeking help when needed.

Health Belief Model (HBM)

A framework that explains health behaviors based on beliefs about health risks and benefits of action.

Continuity of Care

Consistent healthcare provision, particularly for marginalized populations, to ensure they receive necessary services.

Health Services

Defined options to maintain health, prevent disease, and restore health through various means.

Secondary Prevention

Early detection of diseases that have developed, focusing on preventing further complications.

Income and Social Status

Higher income results in greater control over life circumstances and correlation with better health.

Hirai et al (2006) - Case Study

Explores perceptions of a 'good death' across cultural contexts.

Hirai et al (2006) - Methods

Qualitative interviews assess perspectives on quality of death among cancer patients and healthcare providers.

Hirai et al (2006) - Patient Selection Criteria

Participants must have incurable cancer and be aware of their diagnosis.

Hirai et al (2006) - Doctor/Nurse Selection Criteria

Healthcare professionals with experience in cancer treatment share insights into dying experiences.

Hirai et al (2006) - Open-ended Questions

Patients and healthcare staff were prompted to reflect on ideal approaches to dying.

Hirai et al (2006) - Conclusion

Findings reveal shared definitions of a good death between different cultures.

Duggleby, Degner et al. (2007) - Hope Intervention Study - Purpose

Investigates the effectiveness of hope-focused interventions in improving quality of life for terminally ill patients.