HMS Unit 1: Health, Skeletal & Muscular Systems

WHO Definition of Health

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Ottawa Charter Definition of Health

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

Why do people give different meanings to health?

Influenced by culture, personal experiences, age and life stage, health literacy, social environment, and medical vs. holistic perspectives.

Interactions between dimensions of health

The physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions are interconnected. Example: poor physical health can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and low mood.

Concept of Good Health

Achieving balance across all dimensions of health; it is subjective, multidimensional, and influenced by personal values.

Health Continuum

A scale ranging from poor health/illness through a neutral point to optimal wellbeing, constantly shifting based on lifestyle and experiences.

How Health Changes Over Time

Health evolves across life stages due to ageing and development, shifting from a focus on physical growth in childhood to mental and social wellbeing in adolescence.

Individual Circumstances Affecting Health

Health is influenced by environment, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, family support, and cultural beliefs.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution, patterns, and causes of health conditions and diseases in populations to guide policy.

Mortality

The number of deaths in a population over a period of time, often expressed as a death rate per 100,000 people.

Infant Mortality

The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births, indicating overall health and development.

Morbidity

The levels of ill health in a population, including disease, injury, and disability, measured by hospitalisation or illness reports.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live based on current mortality rates, usually calculated at birth.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease or condition occurring in a population during a specific time period.

Prevalence

The total number of cases (both new and existing) of a disease or condition in a population at a given time.

Social Justice Principle: Participation

Involving people in the decision-making processes that affect their lives to improve health program effectiveness.

Social Justice Principle: Equity

Recognising that people have different needs and treating them differently to achieve fair outcomes and access.

Social Justice Principle: Access

Ensuring all people can obtain the physical, financial, and cultural resources and services needed for health and wellbeing.

Social Justice Principle: Rights

The entitlement of all individuals to fair, respectful healthcare without discrimination, including privacy and informed consent.

Determinant: Broad Features of Society

Large-scale influences like culture, media, political structures, social inclusion, social cohesion and affluence that shape health opportunities.

Determinant: Environmental Factors

Physical surroundings, including air and water quality, housing, and community safety.

Determinant: Socioeconomic Characteristics

Income, education, and employment status, disability one of the strongest influences on health outcomes.

Determinant: Health Behaviours

Split into two, Protective and Risk. Lifestyle choices such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and drug use that directly affect chronic disease risk.

Determinant: Biomedical Factors

Genetic and biological factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight that influence disease risk.

Young People's Meanings of Health

A holistic and dynamic concept involving physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, beyond just absence of illness.

Main Health Concerns for Young People

Rising mental health issues (anxiety, depression), increasing overweight/obesity, and injuries from risk-taking behaviours.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Health

Generally report good health but face poorer outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantage, limited healthcare access, and trauma.

Health Promotion in Australia

The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health, targeting both individual actions and wider factors.

SDG 3

To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for everyone of all ages

Functions of the Skeleton

Support, protection, movement, blood cell production (bone marrow), mineral storage (calcium/phosphorus), and energy storage (yellow marrow).

Axial Skeleton

Consists of 80 bones in the central core (head, thorax, and vertebral column) to protect vital organs and provide muscle attachment.

Appendicular Skeleton

Consists of 126 bones (limbs, shoulder, pelvis) primarily responsible for movement and grasping objects.

Long Bones

Bones with a diaphysis, epiphysis, and hollow cavity that allow movement (e.g., femur, humerus).

Short Bones

Small, cubed-shaped bones providing stability, strength, and limited movement (e.g., carpals, tarsals).

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex shapes designed for support and protection of the spinal cord (e.g., vertebrae).

Flat Bones

Bones with a large surface area for muscle attachment and protection of vital organs (e.g., sternum, cranial bones).

Sesamoid Bones

Small bones embedded in tendons to reduce friction and protect against stress (e.g., patella).

Fibrous Joints

Immovable joints bound tightly by fibrous connective tissue (e.g., cranial sutures).

Cartilaginous Joints

Slightly moveable joints connected entirely by cartilage that act as shock absorbers (e.g., intervertebral discs).

Synovial Joints

Freely moveable joints separated by a fluid-filled cavity enclosed within a capsule for smooth range of motion.

Ligaments vs Tendons

Ligaments connect bone to bone for joint stability; tendons attach muscle to bone.

Synovial Fluid

A fluid that acts as a lubricant, reduces friction, and provides nutrition to the joint cartilage.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forward, feet together; used as the standard reference position.

Anterior & Posterior

Anterior (ventral) refers to the front of the body; posterior (dorsal) refers to the back of the body.

Superior & Inferior

Superior means above or towards the head; inferior means below or towards the feet.

Proximal & Distal

Proximal is closer to the body attachment point; distal is further away on a limb.

Medial & Lateral

Medial is closer to the body's midline; lateral is further away from the midline.

Roles of the Muscular System

Produce movement, provide stabilisation/posture, and generate heat through contraction.

Characteristics of Muscle Tissue

Contractility, excitability, elasticity, and extensibility.

Types of Muscle Tissue

Skeletal (voluntary, striated), smooth (involuntary, hollow organs), and cardiac (heart muscle, striated).

Slow-Twitch (Type 1) Muscle Fibres

Dark red, fatigue-resistant fibres suited for continuous aerobic endurance activities.

Fast-Twitch (Type 2) Muscle Fibres

White fibres that contract rapidly anaerobically for high-intensity, short-duration power and speed.

Reciprocal Inhibition

The process where muscles on one side of a joint relax to accommodate contraction on the other side.

Agonist vs Antagonist

The agonist (prime mover) causes the major action, while the antagonist is the opposing relaxing muscle.

Sliding Filament Theory

The mechanism where myosin filaments pull on actin filaments using energy and acetylcholine, causing muscle fibres to shorten.

Isotonic Concentric Contraction

The muscle generates enough force to overcome an external load and shortens while maintaining tension.

Isotonic Eccentric Contraction

The muscle generates tension while actively lengthening under an opposing load or gravity.

Isometric Contraction

The muscle generates force without changing length or causing joint movement (holding a static position).

The Ottawa Charter

A document developed in 1986 by the WHO that defines health promotion as enabling people to control and improve their health by addressing social, environmental, and behavioral factors.

HMS Acronym: BEAST

Biomedical approach, Ecological approach, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approach, Sociocultural approach, Salutogenic model.

Biomedical Approach

A focus on diagnosing and treating disease, injury, and symptoms rather than addressing broader health determinants.

Ecological Approach

Examines how environmental, societal, and systemic factors influence health outcomes.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Approach

A holistic perspective of health that incorporates physical, cultural, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Sociocultural Approach

Highlights the influence of culture, society, family, and peers on a person's health.

Salutogenic Model

A framework that emphasizes factors that support health and well-being, instead of solely focusing on illness.

Influence of Biomedical Approach on Health Promotion

Leads to health promotion strategies mainly focused on treatment and hospital care.

Influence of Ecological Approach on Health Promotion

Promotes initiatives that address environmental and policy issues to support health.

Influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Approach on Health Promotion

Encourages culturally safe and holistic health services tailored to Indigenous populations.

Influence of Sociocultural Approach on Health Promotion

Focuses on social norms and behaviors within cultures that affect health outcomes.

Influence of Salutogenic Approach on Health Promotion

Encourages development of programs that foster resilience and well-being.

Example of Biomedical Approach

A doctor providing treatment for a broken arm.

Example of Ecological Approach

A school creating additional sports facilities to promote physical activity.

Example of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Approach

A program implementing cultural healing practices for Aboriginal youth.

Example of Sociocultural Approach

A campaign addressing peer influences on behaviors like vaping.

Example of Salutogenic Approach

A mental health program emphasizing strengths and coping skills.

Impact of Global Health Policies

Shift from illness treatment to prevention, emphasizing community involvement, equity, and supporting health education.

Five Action Areas of the Ottawa Charter

1. Developing Personal Skills 2. Creating Supportive Environments 3. Strengthening Community Action 4. Reorienting Health Services 5. Building Healthy Public Policy.

National Tobacco Campaign

An initiative to reduce tobacco use through education, smoke-free laws, and packaging regulations.

Health Spaces and Places Initiative

Designed to promote urban environments that encourage physical activity and reduce lifestyle-related diseases.

Closing the Gap Initiative

A national effort aimed at reducing health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through community engagement and culturally appropriate services.