GPH: Chapter 3

Alzheimer's disease

A degenerative disease of the brain characterized by mental deterioration. It is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, and its prevalence increases with age.

Arthritis

Inflammation of the joints that often causes limitations of activity due to pain and stiffness. Its prevalence increases with age.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A disease characterized by the presence of airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, two diseases that often coexist.

Congenital anomalies

Often-inherited medical conditions that occur at or before birth.

Contraception

The means of pregnancy prevention. Methods include permanent methods (i.e., male and female sterilization) and temporary methods (i.e., barrier, hormonal, and behavioral).

Dementia

A group of thinking and social symptoms that interferes with daily functioning. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Developmental disabilities

A broad spectrum of impairments characterized by developmental delay and/or limitation in personal activity, such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hearing and other communication disorders, and vision impairment.

Health-compromising behaviors

Actions or habits that negatively affect an individual's health and well-being. These behaviors often increase the risk of developing diseases or health conditions and can include activities such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, physical inactivity, and risky sexual practices.

Hospice

A program that provides special care to people who are near the end of their life and who are no longer being treated to cure or control their disease. Hospice offers emotional, spiritual, physical, and social support for patients and their families.

Immunization

Stimulating immunity to an infectious disease by exposing an individual to a weakened or inactivated pathogen or a portion of the pathogen.

Infant mortality rate (IMR)

Number of live-born infants who die before their first birthday per 1000 live births.

Life expectancy

The number of additional years of life expected at a specified point in time, such as at birth or at age 65.

Maternal mortality rates

The number of registered maternal deaths due to birth or pregnancy-related complications per 100,000 registered live births.

Medicare

A national health insurance program for persons over age 65 and certain younger persons who are disabled.

Morbidity

The term often used to mean illness or disease.

Osteoporosis

Reduction of bone mass and a deterioration of the microarchitecture of the bone leading to bone fragility.

Prematurity

Disorders of short gestation and low birth weight.

Prenatal care

Pregnancy-related healthcare services provided to a woman between conception and delivery. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least 13 prenatal visits in a normal 9-month pregnancy: a visit each month for the first 28 weeks of pregnancy, a visit every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then weekly visits until birth.

Preterm birth

Birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Quality of life (QOL)

The overall well-being and satisfaction an individual experiences, encompassing physical, mental, and social aspects of health. It includes factors such as physical functioning, emotional well-being, social relationships, and the ability to perform daily activities, reflecting how health conditions and policies affect people's lives.

Sandwich generation

A generation of people who are responsible for raising their children and for the care of their aging parents.

Social Security

A United States federal program of social insurance and benefits developed in 1935. The Social Security program's benefits include retirement income, disability income, Medicare and Medicaid, and death and survivorship benefits.

Socioeconomic status (SES)

A concept that includes income, education, and occupational status; a strong determinant of health.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

A federal assistance program of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for health care and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children under the age of 5.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden, unexplained death of an infant from an unknown cause.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, provides assistance with food purchasing for low- and no-income people living in the United States.

Teratogen

A substance or agent that causes birth defects.

Unintentional injury

Damage to the body resulting from acute exposure to thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy or from the absence of such essentials as heat or oxygen. Injury may be intentional, as in the case of suicide, or unintentional, as in the case of accidental drug overdose.