Extensive Detailed Notes on Core 1 – Better Health For Individuals

Resource Description

Core 1 – Better health for individuals. 

FQ1 – What does health mean to individuals?

(a) Meanings of health

A1. How do we define health?

My definition: The physical and mental fitness of a person and their spiritual and social wellbeing.

Prior to WW2 health was defined as the absence of illness and or injury.

In 1946, the World Health Organisation (WHO) developed a more holistic definition of health. Health was defined as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’

A2. Dimensions of health – S.E/M.P.S.

• S – social
• E – emotional
• M – mental
• P – physical
• S – spiritual

Dimension	Positive	Negative
Physical	Exercise	Poor diet
Mental	Being complimented	Relationship problems
Social	Good connection with family	Peer pressure
Spiritual	Being a good samaritan	Being subject to racism

Physical health refers to the state of the physical body and how well it functions, examples include:

• The efficient functioning of the body organs
• Our level of fitness
• Nutritional status
• Degree of energy
• Body weight
• Resistance to disease

Physical health is largely determined by lifestyle and behaviour. People who are physically healthy are generally free of chronic pain or discomfort.

Social health refers to our interactions with other people (family, friends and others), as well as the social and communication skills and abilities we display. For example (+) having a good connection with your family and (-) being negatively influenced by peers. Good social health means we feel a sense of connection and belonging to various people, and to the wider community in which we live. This means we are able to interact effectively with people in an interdependent, appropriate and cooperative way.

Mental or emotional health refers to our state of emotional well-being. For example (+) being complimented and (-) relationship problems. People who have good mental health generally possess a positive outlook and a sense of purpose and control over their lives. This enables them to realise their own abilities, cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively and contribute effectively to the community.

Spiritual health relates to feeling a sense of purpose and meaning in our life, For example (+) being a good samaritan and (-) being subject to racism. Possessing ideals, values, morals and aspirations are factors that influence our spiritual health in a positive way. The result of this is a feeling of connection with others such as family members, peers, our community, to a religion or the environment which helps balances our health.

Our individual level of health is the result of a complex interaction between  these four aspects and is continually changing. A breakdown in one aspect of health is likely to impact on the other aspects, while improvements in one area can enhance your overall sense of health and well-being in all areas. *important*

How do the dimensions of health interact on your overall health? (8 marks)

Intro – 1 or 2 sentences

Nad Ex Tie – physical

The four dimensions of health (spiritual/emotional, mental, physical and social) are all dynamic and interact with each other to impact on your overall health.

Physical health refers to the state of the physical body and how well it functions. An example of positive physical health is going to the gym multiple days a week to improve strength. This would positively improve your social health since you are able to meet new people who share a common interest with you. It would improve your mental health since exercising boosts self confidence. As a result of improving physical health your overall health becomes improved.

Social health refers to our interactions with other people (family, friends and others), as well as the social and communication skills and abilities we display. For example you may have a good connection with your family and friends. This can improve your mental health since you are happy with the people you are surrounded by and your physical health  since they are able to encourage you to exercise. The positive impact of having a good connection with your family and friends on the mental health dimension will in turn improve your overall level of health by increasing it

Spiritual health refers to feeling a sense of purpose and meaning in our life. For example being subject to racism in a public environment. This may affect who you socialise with in public as you are afraid of it happening again (lowering your social health) and evoke a feeling of inferiority (lowering your mental health). In this case being subject to racism has negatively impacted on the other dimensions of health and reduced your overall level of health.

A3. Relative and dynamic nature of health – always changing

Explain the difference between the relative nature and dynamic nature of health? Provide examples.

• The concept of health being relative refers to a person’s health status in comparison to others or to another time or place. Every individual has different personal circumstances, meaning each individual has their own potential for achieving the best possible health. One person’s description of good health might be quite different to the description of another person living in different circumstances.
• Examples:
• Gender
• Age 
• Height
• Race
• The concept of dynamic health refers to changes in health status that can occur at any time in a person’s lifetime. These changes can be acute (occurring from minute to minute) or chronic (occurring over a longer period of time).
• Examples:
• Injuries
• Diseases
• Addictions/substance abuse
• Mental health

(b) Perceptions of health

B1. Perceptions of health – yours and other people’s point of view of health

Perception:

• Your point of view
• The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted
• It may differ from the reality
• Can be an opinion

B2. Perceptions of the health of others eg. parents, the elderly, the homeless

People’s perceptions of health can be highly subjective. These differing perceptions have implications for the priority we give to taking action to maintain or improve our health and the type of action that is taken. When making judgements about our level of health and well-being our perceptions are influenced by a range of factors, including:

• Our personal interpretation of the term health
• Our beliefs about our capacity to achieve good health
• Our environment
• Our health behaviours and lifestyle
• Our past level of health
• The attitudes about health conveyed by family, peers and the media
• The value we place on the importance of striving for and maintaining a positive state of well-being

B3. Implications of different perceptions of health

Implications at an individual level

On an individual level, people’s perceptions of their health have a significant influence on their lifestyle choices and behaviours relating to health. For example, a person who regularly drinks large amounts of alcohol recognises that this drinking behaviour is having a detrimental effect on their health is more likely to stop drinking, limit their alcohol intake or seek professional help than someone who doesn’t. Accurately assessing our health assists us to be proactive in addressing health concerns. An incorrect assessment of our health could lead to bad health behaviours and harm our overall health.

Another example: An elite sportsperson taking illicit drugs to improve performance because his doctor told him they would improve his ability unknown to drugs side effects.

Effect: Will continue taking drugs and will be less likely to stop if they find out they are bad for them, increasing the chance of damage from illicit drugs.

Implications at the policy level

At a societal level the perceptions of the health status of Australians is affected by health professionals, the media and non-government organisations which impact on government policy, expenditure and action. The analysis of statistics of ill health (mortality rates, morbidity, life expectancy and years of life lost to premature mortality, as well as causes of hospitalisation) is known as epidemiology. Epidemiology has significant implications for health promotion and health care. It’s used to predict future health concerns. This determination impacts the allocation of expenditure and the provision of resources and support by all levels of government.

• An individual’s perception of their health will have a significant impact on lifestyle choices and behaviours.
• At a policy level the perceptions of the health of Australians influences governments, health professionals and NGO’s to drive policy, expenditure and take action.
• Statistics on morbidity, mortality, life expectancy and hospitalisations provide us with an analysis of trends known as epidemiology, this provides us with direction for health promotion and health care in Australia. It also helps determine emerging concerns, risk factors and target prevention and intervention strategies.
• Unfortunately conflicting perceptions often arise about areas of the highest priority which can cause insufficient allocation resources.