Glossary

Health

A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Illness

Characterised by sickness, disease, and injury.

Wellness

Characterised by responsibility, purposefulness, and actions to maintain high levels of health and well-being.

Holistic health

A measure of health about a WHOLE person, focusing on life as a whole rather than a specific aspect.

Wellbeing

Optimal health across all 5 dimensions of health and wellbeing.

Determinants of Health

Factors that raise or lower the level of health in a population.

Burden of disease

A description of how much death and disease is in a community, measured by years lived with a disease and premature death.

Natural Environment

Includes all organisms, elements, and landscapes found on Earth, such as air, water, and vegetation.

Built Environment

Aspects of surroundings created or modified by people, including buildings, roads, and communication networks.

Chronic Illness/Disease

Long lasting conditions with persistent effects, such as back pain or obesity.

Mortality

Death rate; refers to the number of deaths in a population.

Morbidity

The amount of disease within a population; how many people are affected.

Beliefs

A person’s sense of right and wrong.

Attitudes

Opinions or feelings about objects, people, or situations.

Value

General principles by which we live our life.

Media

Methods of communication to send messages or deliver information, such as TV and internet.

Advertising

The practice of calling public attention to something, particularly by paid announcements in media.

Marketing

Process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.

Norms

An agreed upon set of rules or expectations guiding people’s behaviours.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules by which a social group behaves, influenced by perceptions of others' behaviors.

Cultural Norms

Behaviour patterns of groups due to cultural upbringing, geographical location, and religious practices.