Public Health Exam 2

Reasons for practicing unhealthy behaviors

Lack of knowledge

Community norms

Physical environment

Benefits immediate: costs deferred

Policy environment

Economic influences

Addiction

Risk Perception

Psychological environment

Peer pressure

Ecological Model of Health Behavior

Health behaviors are influenced by multiple levels:  

• Intrapersonal: attitudes, knowledge, beliefs

• Interpersonal: social networks (family, friends)

• Institutional/ Organizational: schools, workplaces

• Community:  local norms, organizations

• Societal/ Public Policy: laws and regulations

Interventions can target any or all levels for greater effect.

What are health outcomes influenced by?

The interactive characteristics of individuals and environments. 

Acute causes (alcohol related deaths)

motor vehicle crashes, poisoning, suicide, fall injuries, homicide, drowning, fire injuries

Chronic causes (alcohol related deaths)

alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, stroke, hypertension, acute pancreatitis, alcohol dependence syndrome, various cancers

Alcohol Abuse

• highest among young adults 18-25

• linked to a significant number of injuries among college students

Consequences of Smoking

Kills people

Lung cancer

Disease

Smoking is linked to

increased in strokes, asthma, low birth weight+premature birth, diabetes, sight problems, and many forms of cancer

Who still smokes?

• Men smokes more than women

• 45-64 smoke the most

• People who are in LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and people with mental health issues smoke more