Study Material

Federal Organizations that Promote National Health

• Federal organizations like the CDC and NIH that monitor and promote public health trends.

• National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Factors that Influence Wellness 

• Health habits

• Heredity/ family history

• Environment

• Access to health care

• Personal health behaviors (your personal behavior can tip the balance toward good health, even when heredity or environment is a negative factor).

Health Disparities

• Health disparities refer to differences  in health outcomes and access to healthcare among different populations.

• Health disparities are linked to social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage as well as gender, race, age, etc.

Nervous and Endocrine Responses to Stress

• During stress, the sympathetic nervous system (activated when stimulated by exercise or experience pain, anger, fear) triggers the endocrine system.

• The endocrine system releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which affect metabolism and immune response.

• Nervous system: the brain, spinal cord, and nerves (handles very short-term stress)

• Endocrine system: glands, tissues, and cells that help control body functions (releases hormones, helps prepare the body to respond to stress, and handles both acute and chronic stress)

Fight-or-Flight Reaction

• The nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response, preparing the body for immediate action.

• Physiological reaction (trigger physiological changes).

Managing Stress

• Develop healthy exercise and eating habits

• Learn to identify and moderate individual stressors

• Learn mindfulness (state of being present that is non-judgmental but rather accepting and aware of thoughts/emotions)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Maslow's Hierarchy includes physiological needs (most important), safety/security,  love/belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization, with examples for each level.

• Understanding this hierarchy helps in addressing psychological health by ensuring foundational needs are met first.