Health and Illness

Negative definition of health

Absence of disease (therefore death is the other end of the spectrum)

Positive definition of health

Health and illness as two separate but related concepts, meaning someone can be healthy while still having a disease

WHO definition of health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity

Health vs. Wellness

Wellness is a subjective experience, health is objective characterized by functioning capability

Illness vs. Disease

Illness is subjective experience loss of health, disease is objective and characterized by testing and diagnoses

Medical approach

Used most in 20th century

Emphasizes what medical intervention restores health, health issues defined as physiological risk factors, health care system is essential to ensuring that population remain healthy

(No looking at what is causing issues and not looking to prevent)

The Lalonde Report

Lalonde wanted to look at what caused health issues, resulted in creating a shift from a health care approach to a behavioural approach

Behavioural approach / Lalonde report

Forced existing health care system to acknowledge the role of government in health promotion, defined health determinants as lifestyle, environment, human biology, and the organization of health care

Health Promotion Directorate

Goal to decrease behaviour risk factors like smoking, substance use, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet - proved to be effective through promotion strategies like education and social marketing

Socioenvironmental approach

Mid 1980s

It was disputed that lifestyle was not all within an individuals control and not all health risks were self-imposed, health related behaviours can’t be separated from social contexts (environment for living and working)

Determinants of health - impacts on health

Genetics, health services, employment/wokring conditions, education and literacy, culture, gender, mental health

Health inequities

Differences in the health status of individuals and groups

Health inequities that are unfair or unjust and modifiable

health equity

The absence of unfair systems and policies that cause health inequities.

Seeks to reduce inequities and increase access to opportunities and conditions to health for all