HHD Exam Biological, Sociocultural, Environmental

Biological Factors

Body weight, Age Blood pressure, Blood cholesterol, Glucose regulation, Birth Weight, Genetics (Sex, Hormones)

How does Age impact health?

Age impacts health through the decline in the body including the development of Chronic diseases like Osteoarthritis, Pulmonary disease, diabetes, Depression and Dementia. This decreases levels of fitness and aerobic capacity, decrease in quality of relationships for people who experience chronic or mobility issues making it harder to experience social interactions and relations ships.

How does Birth Weight impact health?

Babies born with a low birth weight are more likely to have an underdeveloped immune system, increasing the incidence of infectious diseases such as influenza. They are also more likely to suffer from premature death, contributing to higher infant and under-5 mortality rates, and lower life expectancy.

How does Genetics impact health?

Genetics are responsible for the regulation of hormones, stress levels personalities and immune system. These are factors that can alter the development of Chronic diseases and social abilities like high stress levels leading to high blood pressures, as well as personality types that can positively or negative effect relationships.

Social Factors

Employment status, Social Networks & Social exclusions, social isolation, cultural background, Food security, Early life experiences, Access to Health, Commercial factors, Social-economical Status.

How do Social networks impact health?

Strong social networks promote emotional and mental health and wellbeing by providing avenues for people to seek support when issues arise, contributing to lower levels of emotional distress and reduced levels of stress and anxiety. Social networks provide people with a sense of belonging to the world enhancing spiritual health and wellbeing. Social exclusion can lead to prolonged stress, which can contribute to physical symptoms like headaches, lack or energy and motivation. This can lead to trouble sleeping, feel worthless and engage in risk-taking behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse. This leads to decreasing fitness levels, contributing to relationship breakdown, and decreasing the ability to identify and deal with various emotions.

How does Cultural Background impact Health?

Cultural background impact Diet, Language barriers and Alcohol consumption. Males are also less like to be care givers leading men experiencing greater levels of opportunities as an adult. Religions have rules associated with fasting and food intake, which can influence the levels of energy people have and the functioning of their body systems. The dominance of western medicine can lead to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples feeling that they are excluded from society, contributing to poorer spiritual health and wellbeing.

How does food security impact health?

Food insecurity can mean that a person’s nutritional requirements are not being met. This can result in a range of impacts on health and wellbeing, such as immune function (iron, vitamin A, vitamin D and zinc, increasing the risk of disease), individuals may be unaware of their next meal leading increased stressed levels. Food is often central to social interactions. Therefore, food insecurity may contribute to fewer social interactions and poorer social health and wellbeing. • Anover-reliance on energy dense foods can contribute to weight gain and associated conditions, such as hypertension.

Environmental Factors

Housing, Work environment, Urban design and Infrastructure, Climate and Climate Change.

How does Housing impact Health (+Status)

Housing contributes to health status in many ways, including: • ventilation and hygiene, design and safety, overcrowding, pollutants and access to water. Examples of impacts of housing on health and wellbeing include, sleep conditions (Vital for rest and energy levels), Security. social needs — adequate housing can provide a place for people to socialise with friends and family, which can ensure social needs are being met, promoting social health and wellbeing. Heating and cooling — an inability to maintain comfortable temperatures inside the home can increase levels of stress and contribute to sleep deprivation, which can lead to lower levels of energy in the waking hours, impacting all dimensions of health and wellbeing.