Health, Wellness, and Health Disparities

Learning Outcomes

• Describe concepts of health, wellness, disease, and illness.
• Discuss factors influencing health equity and disparities.
• Summarize the nurse's role in health promotion and illness prevention.
• Explain the levels of preventive care.

Concepts of Health and Wellness

• Health: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being; not merely the absence of disease.
  • Defined differently by each individual influenced by personal values, beliefs, family, culture, and society.
• Wellness: An active state of being healthy that promotes good physical, mental, and emotional health.
• Disease: A medical term for pathological changes in the body or mind.
• Illness: The unique response of an individual to a disease; a process involving changes in functioning.

Dimensions of Health Along the Continuum

• Influenced by:
  • Lifestyle choices: Includes behaviors like smoking, diet, and exercise.
  • Family relationships: Supportive or toxic dynamics.
  • Culture: Its unique perspectives on wellness and illness impact health views.
  • Religion and spirituality: Affect health perspectives and behaviors.
  • Environmental factors: Conditions such as housing and pollution.
  • Finances: Poverty as a social determinant of health, leading to increased health issues.

Classifications of Illness

• Acute Illness:
  • Rapid onset, short duration (e.g., appendicitis, pneumonia).
• Chronic Illness:
  • Long duration (over 6 months), may include periods of remission and exacerbation. Requires ongoing management (e.g., diabetes).

Factors Disrupting Health

• Physical diseases: Acute or chronic, causing lasting impacts.
• Injury: Extent of injury changes life impact.
• Mental illness and pain: Affect all life areas, influencing recovery and coping mechanisms.
• Loss and impending death: May trigger positive changes or health behaviors.

Stages of Illness Behavior

1. Experiencing symptoms
2. Assuming the sick role
3. Assuming a dependent role
4. Achieving recovery and rehabilitation

Factors Influencing Illness Behavior

• Nature of the illness: Acute vs. chronic impact perception of illness.
• Hardiness: Strong will to live can influence health outcomes.
• Disruption factors: Intensity and duration stress can lead to feeling overwhelmed.

Disparities in Health Care

• Health equity: Aiming for the highest health levels for all.
• Health disparity: Differences linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantages influenced by attributes like race, sex, age, and access to healthcare.
• Social determinants of health: Conditions affecting where people live, learn, play, and age, impacting health outcomes.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

• Diversity: Inclusion of various identities and cultures.
• Inclusion: Creating belonging within communities.
• Equity: Ensuring access to necessary conditions for thriving.
• Vulnerable populations: E.g., minorities, low income, rural residents.

Human Dimensions Affecting Health

• Physical dimension: Genetic and developmental factors.
• Emotional dimension: Mind-body interaction.
• Intellectual dimension: Education and past experiences' impact on health choices.
• Environmental dimension: The impact of housing and resources on health.
• Sociocultural dimension: How lifestyle and family influence health.
• Spiritual dimension: The influence of beliefs and values on health.

Risk Factors for Illness & Injury

• Modifiable: Factors subject to personal change (e.g., smoking).
• Nonmodifiable: Factors beyond control (e.g., genetics).
• Major areas include age, genetics, health habits, and environment.

Health Promotion and Illness Prevention

• Aimed at increasing well-being and detecting disease early to maintain health.
• Activities categorized into:
  • Primary: Preventing disease onset.
  • Secondary: Early detection and treatment of illnesses.
  • Tertiary: Reduce disease progression and rehabilitate patients.

Wellness Assessment Components

• Involves evaluating:
  • Lifestyle and risks: Physical activity, nutrition, and stress management.
  • Life stressors and health beliefs.
  • Nutritional patterns and health screenings (blood pressure, cancer tests).

Role of the Nurse in Health Promotion

• Role modeling: Providing healthy examples.
• Counseling: Individualized support and promoting health education.
• Supporting lifestyle changes through information dissemination and risk assessment.

Health Promotion Models

• Health Belief Model: Determining individual perceptions of health risks and benefits.
• Health Promotion Model: Interaction between individuals and their environments to motivate health behaviors.
• Health–Illness Continuum: Views health as a dynamic state changing over time.
• Stages of Change Model: Addresses behavior change, focusing on motivation levels and interventions needed.

Key Examples of Health Promotion by Age Group

• Children: Focus on nutrition, safety, and growth assessments.
• Adolescents: Promote mental health, substance use prevention, and safety measures.
• Adults: Routine exams, cancer screenings, and lifestyle evaluations.
• Older Adults: Comprehensive health reviews, screening for common health issues, and functional skills assessment.