HMS - 1.1 How do we understand and measure Australia's health?

What is health?

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

What is the WHO definition of health?

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

Why do meanings of health differ?

Health is influenced by culture, age, gender, socioeconomic status, experiences, environment and personal beliefs.

What does it mean that health is dynamic?

Health is constantly changing throughout life due to interactions between dimensions of health and determinants.

What are the five dimensions of health?

Physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

What is physical health?

The efficient functioning of body systems and the ability to perform daily activities.

What is social health?

The ability to form and maintain positive relationships and interact effectively with others.

What is mental health?

A state of wellbeing that allows a person to cope with normal stresses and function effectively.

What is emotional health?

The ability to recognise, understand and appropriately manage emotions.

What is spiritual health?

A sense of meaning, purpose, values and connection to something greater than oneself.

What is the health continuum?

A model showing health as a range from premature death → illness → average health → better health → optimal health.

Why is the health continuum useful?

It shows that health is not simply healthy or unhealthy and can change over time.

What is morbidity?

The level of illness, disease or injury within a population.

What is mortality?

The number or rate of deaths in a population.

What is infant mortality?

The number of deaths of infants under one year of age, usually expressed per 1,000 live births.

What is incidence?

The number of new cases of a disease occurring within a population during a specific period.

What is prevalence?

The total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a particular time or over a period.

Incidence vs prevalence?

Incidence = new cases. Prevalence = all existing cases.

What is epidemiology?

The study of the distribution, patterns and causes of disease and health conditions within populations.

Why is epidemiology useful?

It identifies health trends, risk factors and population groups requiring intervention.

What is equity?

Ensuring people have fair opportunities to achieve good health, recognising that different people may need different levels of support.

What is equality?

Providing people with the same resources or opportunities, regardless of individual circumstances.

What is access?

The ability of individuals and communities to obtain and use health services and resources.

What is participation?

Involvement of individuals and communities in decisions and actions affecting their health.

What are health rights?

The entitlement of all people to access appropriate healthcare and conditions that support good health.

What is social justice?

Fairness in the distribution of resources, rights and opportunities within society. What are determinants of health?

What are the five categories of determinants?

Broad features of society, environmental, socioeconomic, health behaviours and biomedical.

What are broad features of society?

Factors such as government policy, culture, social structures and political systems.

What are environmental determinants?

Physical surroundings such as housing, pollution, climate, location and access to facilities.

What are socioeconomic determinants?

Factors including income, education, employment and socioeconomic status.

What are health behaviours?

Individual behaviours affecting health, such as physical activity, diet and sleep.

What are biomedical determinants?

Factors relating to the body, such as genetics, blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight.

How do determinants interact?

Determinants are interconnected, meaning one factor can influence another and collectively affect health outcomes.

Example of interacting determinants?

Low income → poorer housing/food access → reduced health opportunities → increased risk of illness.

What are health inequities?

Unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes between population groups.

Where can health inequities exist?

Between groups based on income, location, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, disability, gender and socioeconomic circumstances.

How can inequities be reduced?

Improve access, equity, education, healthcare, living conditions and community participation.