Concept of Health

Comprehensive practice flashcards reviewing the concepts, models, historical definitions, dimensions, indices, and determinants of health from the Elmergib University Faculty of Medicine lecture by Dr. Mohamed Sryh.

What is considered the oldest concept of health across human cultures?

The oldest concept is that health is the "absence of disease".

What criticism or accusation is often leveled against modern medicine regarding its view of health?

Modern medicine is often accused of a preoccupation with the study of disease and neglect of the study of health.

How does the biomedical concept describe the human body, disease, and the role of the physician?

It views the human body as a machine, disease as the breakdown of the machine, and the doctor's task as the repair of the machine.

What core relationship was established by the germ theory of disease?

A one-to-one relationship between a causal agent (microbe) and disease, shifting emphasis from empirical causes (e.g., bad air) to microbes as the sole cause ($\text{Disease agent} \rightarrow \text{Man} \rightarrow \text{Disease}$).

Why has modern medicine moved away from strict adherence to the germ theory of disease?

Because disease is rarely caused by a single agent alone, but rather depends upon a number of contributing factors.

How does the ecological concept define health and disease?

It views health as a dynamic equilibrium between man and his environment, and disease as a maladjustment of the human organism to the environment.

What is the central premise of the psychosocial concept of health?

Health is influenced by social, psychological, cultural, economic, and political factors; thus, health is both a biological and social phenomenon.

What does the holistic concept of health synthesize, and what phrase summarizes its philosophy?

It synthesizes biomedical, ecological, and psychosocial concepts, recognizing the effect of all societal sectors on health, summarized as: "sound mind, in a sound body, in a sound family, in a sound environment."

What was the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health formulated in 1948?

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

How did the WHO update its definition of health in 1998?

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

What is the operational definition of health?

"A condition or quality of the human organism expressing the adequate functioning of the organism in given conditions, genetic or environmental."

What does the physical dimension of health imply?

It implies "perfect functioning" of the body, meaning all organs function normally in themselves and in relation to one another.

How is the mental dimension of health defined?

The ability to respond to the many varied experiences of life with flexibility and a sense of purpose, represented as a state of balance between the individual and the surrounding world, harmony between oneself and others, and coexistence between the realities of the self and that of other people and the environment.

What are the key attributes of a mentally healthy person?

Being free from internal conflicts (not at "war" with himself), well-adjusted (able to get along with others and accept criticism), searching for identity, possessing strong self-esteem, achieving self-actualization (knowing needs, problems, and goals), having good self-control (balancing rationality and emotionality), and coping intelligently with stress and anxiety.

How is social well-being defined in the context of dimensions of health?

The quantity and quality of an individual's interpersonal ties and the extent of involvement with the community.

What constitutes the spiritual dimension of health?

A purposeful life, transcendence, and actualization of different dimensions and capacities, creating a balance among physical, psychological, and social aspects of human life.

What is the distinction between the mental and emotional dimensions of health?

Mental health relates to "knowing" or "cognition", whereas emotional health relates to "feeling".

How does the vocational dimension affect individual health?

Physical work is associated with an improvement in physical capacity, while goal achievement and self-realization in work serve as sources of satisfaction and enhanced self-esteem.

What is the difference between standard of living and quality of life in the concept of well-being?

Standard of living is the objective component (the scale of expenditure, goods consumed, and services enjoyed, primarily measured through per capita GNP), while quality of life is the subjective component.

What three indicators comprise the Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI)?

Infant mortality, life expectancy at age one, and literacy.

What indicators are used to measure the Human Development Index (HDI)?

Life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling, and income (GNI per capita).

What concept and sequence of health states are represented in this diagram?

The Spectrum of Health, illustrating a continuous gradient from positive health, better health, and freedom from sickness, down to unrecognized sickness, mild sickness, severe sickness, and death.

What are examples of biological determinants of health mentioned in the lecture?

Chromosomal anomalies, errors of metabolism, mental retardation, and some types of diabetes determined by the nature of genes at conception.

How do behavioural and socio-cultural determinants contribute to disease occurrence?

Through lifestyle and lifelong personal habits (e.g., smoking, alcoholism) learned via peers, parents, school, and mass media, predisposing individuals to coronary heart disease, obesity, lung cancer, and drug addiction.

What requirements must health services meet to be considered effective?

They must reach the social periphery, be equitably distributed, accessible, affordable to the country and community, and socially acceptable.

What demographic projection was made regarding the global ageing population by the year 2020?

The world will have more than $1$ billion people aged $60$ and over, leading to an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities.

What framework is shown in this circular model depicting the multi-layered influences on health?

The Determinants of Health wheel, illustrating health at the center surrounded by individuals, families, communities, and societies, influenced by twelve outer sectors including biological, behavioural, environmental, socioeconomic, and human rights factors.

What are the four levels of responsibility for health and their respective scopes?

Individual responsibility (self-care for maintaining own health), Community responsibility (health care for the people to health care by the people), State responsibility (constitutional rights), and International responsibility (Health for All through PHC).