HHD EXAM definitions only

Health and Wellbeing

The overall state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual existence. It is characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

Wellbeing

Characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

Illness

A subjective concept related to an individual's personal experience with disease, disability or injurt

Disease

A physical or mental disturbance often involving symptoms, tissue damage or dysfunction.

Dynamic nature

Means that it can change. These changes can occur gradually or quickly and be positive or negative.

Subjective nature

Means different things to different people and can be influenced by many factors including age, body weight or social networks.

Physical health and wellbeing

Relates to the functioning of the body and its systems. It includes the physical capacity to perform daily tasks or activities.

Aspects of physical health and wellbeing (7)

absence of disease, injury and illness. well functioning body, systems and organs. healthy body weight. optimal blood pressure. optimal energy levels. appropriate fitness levels. physical capacity to perform daily tasks.

Social health and wellbeing

Relates to the state and quality of different interactions and relationships that an individual has with family, friends and other people. It includes the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations.

Aspects of social health and wellbeing (5)

Meaningful relationships. Supportive and well-functioning family. Productive relationships with others. Effective communication. Ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations.

Emotional health and wellbeing

Relates to the ability to express feelings in an appropriate way. It is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions, as well as the ability to display resilience.

Aspects of emotional health and wellbeing (4)

Experience appropriate emotions in given scenarios. Recognise and understand emotional actions and reactions. Effectively express and manage emotional actions and reactions. Have a high level of resilience.

Mental health and wellbeing

The current state of wellbeing relating to the mind or brain and includes the ability to think and process information. It includes thought patterns, self-esteem and levels of stress & anxiety.

Aspects of mental health and wellbeing (6)

Low levels of stress and anxiety. Positive thought patterns. High levels of confidence. Optimal self-esteem. Ability to think and process information. Use logic and reasoning to form opinions and make decisions.

Spiritual health and wellbeing

Relates to ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the minds and conscience of human beings. This includes the concepts of hope, peace, a sense of meaning, place and purpose in life and a sense of belonging and connection to the world in which you live.

Aspects of spiritual health and wellbeing (5)

sense of belonging and connection to the world. positive meaning and purpose in life. peace and hope. developed personal beliefs and values. acting according to personal beliefs and values.

Optimal health and wellbeing

the highest level of health and wellbeing an individual can realistically attain at any particular time, taking into account genetics and the different environments in which people live.

Optimal health and wellbeing as a resource individually (5)

save money through reduced healthcare costs. gain an education. earn an income. spend time with friends. work towards their purpose in life.

Optimal health and wellbeing as a resource nationally (5)

health system savings. reduced stress and anxiety in the community. higher average incomes. increased productivity. increased social participation

Optimal health and wellbeing as a resource globally (4)

reduce risk of disease transmission between countries. promote economic and sustainable development. promote peace and stability

Health status

An individual or population’s overall level of health and wellbeing taking into account various indicators such as life expectancy, mortality or morbidity.

Health status indicators

Standard statistics that are used to measure and compare health status. For example life expectancy, morbidity and mortality.

Incidence

the number or proportion of new cases of a particular disease or condition in a population during a given time period which is usually 12 months.

Prevalence

the total number or proportion of cases of a particular disease or condition present in a population at a given time.

Morbidity

refers to ill health in an individual and the levels of ill health within a population or group

Burden of disease

A measure of the impact of diseases and injuries, specifically it measures the gap between current health status and an ideal situation where everyone lives to an old age free from disease and disability. Measured in a unit called DALY

Disability adjusted life year (DALY)

Used to measure burden of disease. One DALY is equal to one year of healthy life lost due to illness and death. DALYs are calculated as the sum of the years of life lost due to premature death and the years lived with disability for people living with a health condition or its consequences.

Years of life lost (YLL)

Measure of how many years of expected life are lost due to premature death. The younger a person dies from a condition, the greater the number of YLL added for their condition.

Years lived with disability (YLD)

Measure of how many healthy years of life are lost due to disease, disability or injury. It is the non-fatal component of DALY. Calculated with a complex formula because conditions vary in severity. 

Life expectancy

the number of years of life remaining, on average, to an individual at a particular age if current death rates do not change.

Health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE)

The average length of time an individual at a specific age can expect to live in full health, that is time lived without the health consequences of disease or injury.

Mortality

Refers to death or levels of death particularly at a population level

Infant mortality

death of children between birth and their first birthday

Under five mortality

death of children between birth and their fifth birthday

Maternal mortality

death of a mother during pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks of delivery.

Mortality rate

Refers to the number of deaths from a specific cause or all causes combined, usually expressed per 1,000 or 100,000 people in a 12 month period

Infant mortality rate

number of deaths of children between birth and their first birthday, usually measured per 1,000 live births

Under five Mortality Rate

number of deaths of children between birth and their fifth birthday, usually measured per 1,000 live births.

Maternal Mortality Rate

number of mothers who die because of pregnancy, childbirth or within six weeks of delivery, usually measured per 100,000 live births

Self-assessed health status

An individual's perception of their own level of health and wellbeing at a given time. It is measured through a survey where participants are asked to classify their health status from poor, fair, good, very good or excellent.

Biological factors

relating to the body that impact on health and wellbeing

Biological factors contributing to variations in health status (6)

blood pressure, blood cholesterol, body weight, glucose regulation, genetics (sex and hormones), birth weight

Sociocultural factors

social and cultural conditions into which people are born, live, work and age

Sociocultural factors contributing to variations in health status (8)

socioeconomic status, employment status, social networks and social exclusion, social isolation, cultural influences, food security, early life experiences, access to healthcare

Commercial factors

The impact the private sector has on consumption patterns of individuals and groups

Commercial factors contributing to variations in health status (4)

marketing strategies, distribution and affordability, packaging and labelling, processing

Environmental factors

the physical surroundings in which we live, work and play

Environmental factors contributing to variations in health status (6)

geographical location, housing, infrastructure, work environment, climate and climate change

Ways SMOKING + VAPING impacts on health outcomes (4)

toxic chemicals damage lung tissue-COPD

carcinogens inhaled through lungs cause abnormal cell growth-lung cancer

harmful chemicals build up plaque in arteries-CVD

while pregnant reduce blood flow to baby-low birth weight

Ways ALCOHOL impacts on health outcomes (4)

energy dense-CVD

filtered through liver-cirrhosis

impair brain function causing risk taking behaviours-car crash

while pregnant-foetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Ways OVERWEIGHT + OBESITY impacts on health outcomes (3)

impair glucose regulation-type 2 diabetes

strain on heart-CVD

higher levels of growth hormone released means more risk in faults in cells-breast and colorectal cancer

Ways LOW FIBRE INTAKE impacts on health outcomes

satiety prevents overeating-obesity and type 2 diabetes

adds bulk to faeces preventing constipation-colorectal cancer

reduces LDL absorption-CVD

Ways UNDERCONSUMPTION OF FRUITS + VEGETABLES impacts on health outcomes

antioxidant works to remove free radicals-cancer and CVD

vitamin C promotes immune system functioning-influenza

fibre-obesity, type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, CVD

Ways UNDERCONSUMPTION OF DAIRY impacts on health outcomes

calcium contributes to peak bone mass-osteoporosis

calcium hardens teeth enamel-dental caries

Ways HIGH FAT INTAKE impacts on health outcomes

energy dense leads to weight gain-type 2 diabetes

saturated and trans fats contribute LDL leading to atherosclerosis-CVD

saturated and trans fats can cause tumor growth-colorectal cancer

Ways HIGH SALT INTAKE impacts on health outcomes

draw excess fluid out of the cells into blood stream increasing blood volume causing hypertension-CVD

excess salt filtered through kidneys also excretes calcium-osteoporosis

Ways HIGH SUGAR INTAKE impacts on health outcomes

energy dense leads to weight gain-CVD+type 2 diabetes

food source for bacteria in mouth decays tooth enamel-dental caries

Public health

relates to the actions of governments that work to promote health outcomes and prevent illness

Old public health

Actions taken by the government to improve the physical environment and reduce the spread of infectious disease. For example improved water and sanitation, better quality housing and fewer slums and safer working conditions.

Health transition

Due to initiatives of Old Public Health the transmission of infectious diseases decreased and less people died prematurely as a result which increased life expectancy. Thus as people began to live longer, lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers shifted to the major causes of death in the 1950-60s.

Social model of health

An approach that recognises improvements in health and wellbeing can only be achieved by directing efforts towards addressing physical, sociocultural and political environments of health that have an impact on individuals and population groups.

Health promotion

the process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.

Build healthy public policy

decisions made by governments and organisations regarding laws and policies that affect health and wellbeing

Create supportive environments

Making healthy choices easier choices by providing a physical and social environment that promotes health and wellbeing by being safe, stimulating, satisfying and enjoyable

Strengthen community action

Involving many different groups within the community to engage as many community members as possible to work towards a common goal

Develop personal skills

Individuals gaining health related knowledge and skills that improve their ability to take control over and make informed decisions about choices that affect their health and wellbeing.

Reorient health services

Changing the direction of the health system so that it promotes health and wellbeing rather than only focussing on diagnosing and treating illness.

Biomedical approach to health

Focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and is practised by doctors and health professionals who work to diagnose, treat or cure disease.

Social justice

equal rights for all, regardless of personal traits such as sex, class, income, ethnicity, religion, age or sexual orientation.

Human rights

the freedoms and conditions that every person is entitled to regardless of difference

Access

All people must have adequate access to resources and opportunities as well as participate in decisions that affect them

Participation

everyone in society has the opportunity to participate in their community and have their voice represented

Equity

disadvantaged groups and individuals have their specific challenges addressed so they can achieve the same level of health and wellbeing

Australian dietary guidelines

A set of guidelines developed by the National Health and Medical Research council with advice relating to the types and amounts of food, food groups and dietary patterns aiming to decrease the diet-related diseases and conditions.

Australian Dietary Guidline #1

To achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, be physically active and chose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs

Australian Dietary Guidline #2

Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from the following five food groups; vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats and alternatives and dairy and alternatives every day and drink plenty of water

Australian Dietary Guidline #3

Limit intake of food containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol

Australian Dietary Guidline #4

Encourage, support and promote breastfeeding

Australian Dietary Guidline #5

Care for your food, prepare and store it safely

Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

A food consumer selection model designed to visually represent the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2 and 3 by showing the proportions of food that should be consumed from the five food groups as wedges on a plate.

Australian Guide to Healthy Eating key feature explanation on the food groups

Plate divided into five wedges to represent the proportions of food that should be consumed from the five food groups and encourages to ‘Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods from these five food groups every day’

Australian Guide to Healthy Eating key feature explanation on water consumption

Recommends that people ‘Drink plenty of water’ represented by an image of a glass being filled from a inside tap

Australian Guide to Healthy Eating key feature explanation on the healthy fats

Healthier fats pictured off the plate in the bottom left corner with ‘Use small amounts’

Australian Guide to Healthy Eating key feature explanation on discretionary foods

Discretionary foods such as pies, pastries, cake, processed meats, alcohol and chocolate pictured off the plate in the bottom right corner with ‘Only sometimes and in small amounts’

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide to Healthy Eating

A food selection model adapted from the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating designed to visually represent the Australian Dietary Guidelines 2 and 3 by showing the proportions of food that should be consumed from the five food groups as wedges on a plate.

It is represented in a way that is more culturally appropriate and accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who often have lower literacy levels and live in rural areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide to Healthy Eating key featrure explanation on the food groups

Plate divided into five wedges to represent the proportions of food that should be consumed from the five food groups and encourages to ‘eat different types of foods from the five food groups every day‘

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide to Healthy Eating key feature explanation on water consumption

Recommends that people ‘Drink plenty of water’ represented by an image of an outside tap filling a plastic bottle and a mug

Similarities between the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Aboriginal Guide to Healthy Eating

Plate represents the five food groups, both encourage to ‘drink plenty of water‘, both suggest to limit discretionary foods, recommend small amounts of healthy fats

Differences between the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Aboriginal Guide to Healthy Eating

Simpler wording, different images: water, canned and frozen foods, traditional foods

Health system

All the activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore and maintain health

Medicare

Australia’s Universal health insurance scheme. It provides access to subsidised essential medical care for Australians, permanent residents and citizens of other countries with reciprocal agreements such as New Zealand.

Schedule fee

The amount that is thought to be reasonable on average for the price of that service so Medicare will pay.

Patient co-payments

When a healthcare professional charges above the schedule fee, the patient contributes the remaining amount

Bulk billing

When a healthcare professional charges only the schedule fee so the patient has no out of pocket expense.

Medicare safety net

When an individual spends over a certain threshold on out of pocket costs for Medicare services, the Government will provide extra financial assistance by making Medicare services cheaper for the remainder of the calendar year.

Ways Medicare is funded

Medicare levy, Medicare Levy Surcharge and general taxation

Medicare levy

2% tax placed on the taxable income of most taxpayers excluding low income earners

What is general taxation in relation to the funding of medicare

Money the government collects from the sale of goods and services as income generated from the Medicare levy and surcharge do not cover all the operating costs of Medicare

Pharmaceutical benefits scheme

Federal Government Initiative that provides a range of essential medications at a subsidised cost where consumers make a co-payment of maximum $25.00 or $7.70 for concession card holders and Medicare will pay the rest. Available for all Australian medicare card holders. 

PBS safety net

Protects individuals and families who have large overall expenses for PBS listed medicines as once they reach a certain threshold of spending on PBS listed pharmaceuticals each year, the government will further subsidise the patient co-payment for the remainder of the calendar year. Concession card holders who reach this threshold will have free medications for the rest of the calendar year.