Chapter 1 - Understanding and measuring health and wellbeing

Define health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing refers to the state of a person's physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual existence and is characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy and engaged.

Define illness

Illness relates to a person's experience with disease (or injury) and can be influenced by a range of factors.

Define subjective

Subjective refers to how different things mean different things to different people.

Define dynamic

Dynamic refers to how they (HWB and illness) are in a constant state of change.

How do you answer subjective and dynamic questions?

• Define the term subjective/dynamic (1 mark)
• Refer to the scenario (1 mark)

Example: Jessica is a competitive gymnast. At her most recent competition, sho broke her arm adn was admitted to the hospital. This is the third time that Jessica has broken her arm due to gymnastics.

Using the above scenarion, explain the subjective nature of illness (2 marks)

Illness can be seen as a subjective concept as it can mean different things to different people. For example, as this is the third time Jessica has broken her arm, she may experience a lower level of illness and pain and is therefore better able to manage the condition compared to someone who has broken their arm for the first time.

Define physical health and wellbeing

Physical health relates to the functioning of the body and its systems, it includes the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks.

Define social health and wellbeing

Social health relates to the ability to from meaningful and satisfying relationships with others and the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations.

Define mental health and wellbeing

Mental health is the current state of wellbeing relating to the mind or brain and it relates to the ability to think and process information. A mentally healthy brain enables an individual to positively form opinions, make decisions, and use logic.

Define emotional health and wellbeing

Emotional health relates to the ability to express feelings in a positive way. Emotional health is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions as well as the ability to display resilience.

Define spiritual health and wellbeing

Spiritual health relates to the ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the minds and conscience of human beings. It can relate to morals, values, a sense of purpose on life, connection or belonging.

3 key characteristics of physical health and wellbeing

• Healthy body weight

• Freedom from liness, disease and injury

• Ability to complete daily tasks

3 key characteristics of social health and wellbeing

• Supportive network of friends

• Meaningful and satisfying relationships

• Ability to manage or adapt to different social situations

3 key characteristics of mental health and wellbeing

• Low levels of stress and anxiety

• Postitive self esteem/high levels of confidence

• Ability to think and process information

3 key characteristics of emotional health and wellbeing

• Recognise and understand the range of emotions

• Experience appropriate emotions in different scenarios

• Have high levels of resilience

3 key characteristics of spiritual health and wellbeing

• A sense of belonging and connection to the world 

• Postive meaning and purpose in life

• Peace and harmony

How do you answer a health and wellbeing question?

• Refer to the case study how it impacts the dimension (1 mark)
• Link to key characteristic, then write dimension in brackets (1 mark)

How do you answer a question of how one dimension impacts another?

• Key terminlogy of first dimension (+ dimension in brackets) and explanation (1 mark)
• Explanation of second dimension and key terminolgy (+ dimension in brackets) (1 mark)

Example: Explain how someone's physical health and wellebing can impact their spiritual health and wellbeing.

When someone has adequate energy levels (physical), they are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities such as the debate team, sports or training school clubs. Being able to show up, contribute and connect with others in these enviornments helps them feel a stronger sense of belonging and purpose in life (spiritual)

How do you answer a question about the relationship between two dimensions of health and wellbeing?

• Link to key characteristic from dimension 1 with an explanation (w/ or w/o study) then link to key characteristic from dimension 2 (w/ or w/o study) (1 mark)

• Link to different key characteristic from dimension 2 with an explanation (w/ or w/o study) then link to different key characteristic from dimension 1 (w/ or w/o study) (1 mark)

Optimal health and wellbeing.

• When all 5 dimensions are as good as they can be

• The highest level of health an indivudal can realistically attain/achieve

5 benefits of optimal HWB for an individual

• Reduced risk of illness/death

• Earn an income

• Can live independently

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Allow people to participate in health promoting behaviours

4 benefits of optimal HWB for a country (nationally)

• Higher average income, greater productivity and less absenteeism from work

• Reduced healthcare costs for the country, and increased access to those in need

• Improved life expectancy

• Fewer social security costs (centrelink)

4 benefits of optimal HWB for the world (globally)

• Reduces risk of transmission of disease between countries

• Increased levels of peace and security

• Increases sustainability

• Increased producitvity, promotes trade between countries and economic development

How do you answer a HWB acting as a resource question?

• Use starter (If a person/all people in a country/all people in the world...) and finishers (Therefore, optimal health and wellbeing acts as a resource individually/nationally/globally...) (1 mark)
• Refer to key terminolgy (1 mark)

Example: Explain how optimal health and wellbeing acts as a resource to an individual. (2 marks)

If a person is free from illness and disease (physical), this means that they are able to go to work and earn an income. This income can be used to purchase resources such as nutritious foods, therefore, optimal health and wellbeing acts as a resource individually.