Biopsychosocial Concepts Related to Health Care

Biopsychosocial Concepts Related to Health Care

Models of Health

  • Old Model: Medical Model
      - Focused on eliminating pathology or resulting impairments.
      - Goal: Improved function.

  • New Model: Biopsychosocial Model
      - Support for the idea that biological, psychological, and social variables are key factors in health and illness.

  • Social-Ecologic Model
      - Offers a broader view of health issues, focusing on community health.

Causes of Death

  • Rising medical errors.

  • Shift from infectious diseases to chronic diseases.

Leading Underlying Causes of Death in the United States (as of 2023)*:

  1. Heart disease

  2. Cancer

  3. Unintentional injuries

  4. Alzheimer's disease

  5. Diabetes

  6. Stroke

  7. Kidney disease

  8. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis

  9. Chronic lower respiratory disease

  10. COVID-19

Factors Determining Health Problems and Responses to Health Problems

  • Geographic variations

  • Race and ethnicity

  • Age and aging

  • Gender

Geographic Variations

  • Geographic Pathology: Medical discipline studying geographic disease boundaries.
      - Geographic and political climates impact health and types of health problems.
      - Factors:
        - Poverty
        - Access to fresh fruits and vegetables
        - Local smoking ordinances
        - Available medical treatment

  • Examples:
      - Higher cases of MS in the North.
      - Higher cases of PD in the South.

Race vs Ethnicity

  • Race: Classification of humans based on physical characteristics.

  • Ethnicity: Culturally defined differences between ethnic groups in society.

Key Points on Race and Ethnicity

  • “Race” as a predisposing factor for diseases is scientifically disproved.
      - Genetic data shows immense variability within racial groups.
      - Health disparities are influenced more by genetic variations, environmental factors, and sociocultural behaviors than race.

Examples of Conditions in Different Groups

  • Non-white individuals are 3 times more likely to die from hypertension than whites of the same age group.

  • Jewish people of northeastern European descent have higher susceptibility to Tay-Sachs disease.

  • Cystic fibrosis has the highest incidence in whites and is rare in Asians.

  • Sickle cell anemia primarily affects Blacks, particularly Africans.

Socioeconomic Status and Health

  • Research focuses on health disparities through:
      - Access to healthcare
      - Language differences
      - Place of birth
      - Residential segregation
      - Socioeconomic status
      - Nutritional access

Notes on Adolescents and Aging

  • Young and aging populations receive needed medical care while adolescents often miss out.
      - Adolescents: Higher drug, alcohol use, and rates of STDs.
      - Older adults: Assess for modifiable risk factors (e.g., depression, exercise, obesity).

Age and Aging

  • Age reflects accumulated effects of genetic and environmental factors over time.

  • Life Expectancy: Continues to rise to 80 years for women and 75 years for men.

  • Emphasis on preventive health measures during childhood impacts adulthood health outcomes (e.g., osteoporosis, tobacco-related cancers).

Gender Differences in Health

  • Physiological differences exist, impacting health risks:
      - Men's brains are larger but women often have more brain cells.
      - Women's health challenges include higher risks for certain diseases and quicker recovery post-anesthesia.   - Men face unique challenges: die younger, develop heart disease earlier, and are less likely to seek medical help.

Lifestyle Variations

  • Lifestyle plays a crucial role in health outcomes.

  • Cultural, religious, and socioeconomic factors influence health perceptions and responses.

Cultural Relativity

  • Contextual behavior judgment.
      - Illness perceived as punishment, health as reward.
      - Risks associated with using home remedies alongside prescribed medications.

Generational Differences in Health Attitudes

  • Pre-1946 generations: generally passive toward health care.

  • Post-1946 generations: more questioning of healthcare practices and alternative medicine preference.

Socioeconomic Health Disparities

  • Higher income correlates with better health and longer life (3 years).

  • Lowest income families report chronic disease limitations three times more than high-income families due to access to medical care.

Modifiable Lifestyle Risk Factors

  • Factors Affecting Health Status:
      - Sleep/rest
      - Diet (calcium, fat, fiber)
      - Fitness level
      - Stress management
      - Substance abuse
      - Health behavior (high-risk sexual activity)

Environmental and Occupational Medicine

  • Environmental Medicine: Studies illnesses caused by environmental factors.

  • Focus on interactions of humans with their environment, emphasizing the effects of chemical and physical hazards.

  • Occupational Medicine: Health of workers as they interact with their work environment.

Important Agencies

  • NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health): conducts studies for safety standards but cannot enforce regulations.

  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): adopts and enforces proposed standards.

Latex Allergy Concerns

  • Significant increase in latex allergies, impacting occupational safety.

  • Symptoms range from mild to severe (anaphylaxis).
      - Two major exposure routes: dermal and inhalation.

Summary of Health Issues

  • Emphasis on the interconnectedness of lifestyle, environmental factors, and healthcare access in determining overall health outcomes.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

  • Substance abuse leads to addiction behaviors posing risks for illness, disease, and injury.
      - Most Common Drug Issue: Alcoholism among college students, high prevalence of binge drinking.   - Alcohol linked to over half of domestic violence and sexual assault cases.   - For the elderly, alcohol poses higher risks due to body composition changes.