*Psychology and Health behaviours leading to death

Chapter 15 Notes - STRESS, COPING, AND HEALTH

Major Changes in Causes of Death: 20th to 21st Century

• Historical Overview of Death Causes

  • At the beginning of the 20th century, the leading causes of death in North America were predominantly infectious diseases. Examples include:

    • Influenza and pneumonia

    • Tuberculosis

    • Gastroenteritis/diarrhea

    • Diphtheria

  • These diseases were characterized as:

    • Acute

    • Contagious

    • Biological in nature

  • Advances in medicine significantly contributed to controlling these illnesses through:

    • Antibiotics

    • Vaccines

    • Improved sanitation

Shift in Leading Causes of Death

• Current Causes of Death (21st Century)

  • The leading causes of death have shifted dramatically and now include primarily chronic, lifestyle-related diseases. Examples include:

    • Cancer

    • Cardiovascular diseases (including heart disease and stroke)

    • Respiratory diseases

    • Diabetes

    • Accidental deaths

    • COVID-19 deaths (notably during the years 2020-2021)

Key Observations on Death Rates

• Death rates from infectious diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis have seen a notable decrease since 1900.

• Conversely, death rates for chronic diseases show alarming increases:

  • Heart disease death rates have doubled since the early 1900s.

  • Cancer death rates have tripled over the same period.

• Conclusion: Modern diseases are not solely biological but are significantly influenced by behavioral and lifestyle choices.

Behavioral Risk Factors Linked to Leading Causes of Death

• Table of Chronic Conditions and Their Behavioral Risk Factors:

  • Heart Disease:

    • Tobacco use

    • Obesity

    • High blood pressure (HBP)

    • High cholesterol

    • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Cancer:

    • Tobacco use

    • Poor dietary choices

    • Excessive alcohol consumption

    • Environmental exposures

  • Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease):

    • Tobacco use

    • High blood pressure (HBP)

    • High cholesterol

    • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Accidental Injuries:

    • Alcohol use

    • Neglecting seatbelt use

    • Home hazards

  • Chronic Lung Disease:

    • Tobacco use

    • Air pollution

    • Environmental exposures

The Role of Health Psychology

• Health psychology emerges to address the changing landscape of health concerns, focusing on the interplay of psychological, social, and behavioral factors affecting:

  • Health

  • Illness

  • Medical treatment

Main Focus Areas of Health Psychology

• Prevention over cure: Emphasizes the importance of preventing diseases rather than solely treating them after onset.

• Lifestyle Modification:

  • Encouraging changes such as:

  • Quitting smoking

  • Improving diet

  • Increasing physical activity

• Coping Strategies:

  • Stress management techniques to help individuals cope with stressors effectively.

• Behavioral Interventions:

  • Addressing chronic illnesses through adherence to treatment protocols, including:

  • Medication adherence

  • Pain management strategies

Impact of Health-Related Behaviors

• Research indicates that approximately half of all premature deaths can be attributed to modifiable behaviors, including:

  • Smoking

  • Poor diet

  • Lack of exercise

  • Alcohol and drug misuse

  • Risky behaviors such as unsafe driving and failure to wear seatbelts.

  • References supporting the statistical claims include:

  • U.S. Public Health Service (1979)

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1994)

Economic and Societal Implications of Health Psychology

• Rising Healthcare Costs:

  • In Canada, healthcare costs skyrocketed from $37 billion in 1984 to $308 billion in 2021, averaging around $8,000 per person (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2021).

• Cost-Effectiveness:

  • Preventing illness through behavioral and lifestyle changes is considerably more cost-effective than treating diseases post-development.

• Public Health Promotion:

  • Education, community programs, and advocacy for health policies are crucial strategies in:

  • Promoting public health

  • Reducing chronic disease rates

Key Takeaway

• The emphasis in fighting for longevity has notably shifted:

  • From hospital-centric care to:

    • Behavioral changes

    • Psychological resilience

    • Public education regarding health.

Categories of Health-Related Behaviors

• Health-related behaviors can be classified into two main categories:

  • Health-enhancing behaviors: Actions that promote well-being and reduce the risk of disease.

  • Health-compromising behaviors: Actions that increase the risk of disease and generally harm health.