Quality of LifePREPARED BY SANDREA BUTCHER

Objectives1. Define quality of life

2. Identify six indicators of the quality of life with at least 83% accuracy.

Defining the quality of life• The World Health Organisation defines Quality of

Life as “individuals’ perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns”.(WHO 1997)

• “It is a broad ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person's physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs and their relationship to salient features of their environment.” (WHO 1997)

• It is the extent to which a population enjoys the benefits of its wealth

Activity 1• You will be shown some slides.

• Each slide shows an indicator of the standard of living.

• As you view each slide attempt to determine the indicator being portrayed.

Indicators of the quality of life

Answers1. Extent of security enjoyed

2. Availability of health, educational and recreational facilities

3. Diet and nutrition

4. Life expectancy

5. Rate of infant mortality

6. Access to public utilities and technology

Extent of security enjoyed

• In some countries people live in fear because crime and violence is high.

• They spend their income on burglar bars and security systems.

• Fear can cause stress and therefore reduce the quality of life.

Availability of health, educational and recreational facilities

• Access to health care will increase the quality of life especially if the access is universal.

• The incidence of disease will diminish.

• Educational facilities will produce informed citizens who should make better choices regarding consumption and health.

• Leisure facilitates rejuvenation of the body. Recreational facilities provide opportunities for entertainment, rest and play – these will enhance the quality of life.

Diet and nutrition

• Diet and nutrition are important for healthy lifestyles and longevity.

• If individuals use their incomes to purchase convenient fast foods, non-communicable disease will increase.

• The quality of life will be reduced.

Life expectancy

• This refers to the number of years a person is expected to live.

• Those citizens with lower life expectancies will tend to be unhappier and will not benefit from any wealth accumulated. 

Rate of infant mortality

• Infant mortality refers to the proportion of babies who die before they are one year old.

• High infant mortality can be caused by poor health services, inadequate food, unpotable water and disease – all of which reduce the quality of life.

• A high infant mortality also means that the potential work force diminishes – this same workforce would have paid taxes which would have been used to provide public goods and services.

Access to public utilities and technology

• Public utilities such as safe running water, electricity and sanitation will enhance the quality of life.

• Unsafe water supplies can lead to diseases such as dysentery, cholera and typhoid – all of which can be fatal if left untreated.

• Electricity is needed especially for storing perishable food.

• Electricity is also needed to power technology which makes our lives easier.