PRELIMINARY CORE 1

BETTER HEALTH FOR INDIVIDUALS

What does health mean to individuals?

Meanings of health

- Definitions of health

INQUIRY

Complete the following questions: Good health to me means… The signs of being healthy are… To lead a healthy lifestyle you need to…

Definitions of Health

500bc Ancient Greek medical writer Alcmaeon

“the equal and cooperative mingling of the separate elements of human nature”

1913 Webster’s Dictionary

“the state of being hale, sound, or whole, in body, mind, or soul; especially, the state of being free from physical disease or pain”

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Defined health as:

“a state of complete, physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”

Greater recognition to a more holistic concept of health by recognising the whole person.

- Dimensions of health

It is now widely recognised that there is a relationship between a person’s body, mind and spirit.

- Dimensions of health

PHYSICAL

MENTALOR

EMOTIONAL

SOCIAL

SPIRITUAL

HEALTH

INQUIRY

Recall a time in your life when 1 dimension of your life was poor. Consider how other dimensions of your health were also affected during this time. Draw a mind map to illustrate your answer.

- Relative and dynamic nature of health

Health is a continually changing process. Represented as a continuum. Judging where you see yourself on the

continuum at any time is subjective. Are you as healthy as an Olympic athlete?

Relative

Refers to how we judge our health compared to other people or other points of time in our life.

Example – a person with bipolar may consider themselves well when they are taking medication, treatment and are able to fulfill work and personal responsibilities, compared to how they felt prior to diagnosis and treatment.

Dynamic

Refers to the constant fluctuations that occur in our level of health.

Our health fluctuates minute to minute, day to day and year to year. Illness, accident, environmental factors can change our level of health many times during our life. These changes mean that health is dynamic.

Identify what determines an individuals health.

•Perceptions of health

View the following pictures and honestly comment on how you would perceive their health

1. Homeless

2. Snow boarder

3. Family

4. Aboriginal

5. Elderly road sign

- Personal perceptions of health.

The way we perceive our own health is highly subjective and influenced by a wide range of factors:

- Our behaviours and lifestyle- Environment- Personal interpretation of health- Beliefs about achieving good health- Our past level of health- Attitudes about health conveyed by the media, peers

and family- Personal values

How healthy do others think I am?

Pick someone in the class. Using a 5 point scale (excellent, very good,

good, fair, poor) rate what you think their current level of health is and explain why.

Do the same for yourself. Compare results.

- Perceptions of the health of others

Australians are generally healthy and their health continues to improve, however, there are many factors that contribute to health inequalities:

Age, gender, disabilities, etc Due to socio economic difference

- Implications of different perceptions of health

INDIVIDUAL LEVEL People develop their own interpretation of

what being healthy means and perceive levels of health differently.

Eg.

Implications of perceptions of health

POLICY LEVEL Different perceptions drives the agenda for agencies

responsible for developing health strategies (interventions, policies, resources)

Awareness of these different perceptions guides public health intervention (campaigns, programs)

Conflicting perceptions arise about the areas of health that should be given the highest priority.

- Perceptions of health as social constructs.

So what is it that shapes our perceptions? Our views on good health and who possesses it are

influenced by social, economic and cultural conditions of family/society.

Social construct is a concept that recognises that people have different views based on their social circumstances and ways of seeing, interpreting, interrelating and interacting with their environment.

Mind map sheet

DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

Linked to income, education, employment & housing. People with low ses generally have poorer health.

They also perceive their health as fair/poor and feel less in control of their destiny.

They have different expectations about their health potential.

Less money to spend on positive health behaviours, they have more dangerous jobs, lower standard of living environment & less access to health care for a variety of reasons.

Therefore it is likely that they will develop different meanings of health to those of high SES.

Geographic location

Divided into urban, rural and remote. Varying social constructs due to unique features of

location. Rural/remote = poor access to health services and

recreational activities. They consult GP less. They also have harsher living environment and less exposed to health promotion and self care.

These differences affect the perceptions of health formed by people living in remote areas, as well as how they assess their current state of health.

Cultural background

Ethnic population groups (i.e. Aboriginal people) have vastly different meaning for health. Their emphasis on spiritual dimension is greater.

Example – traditional healers to care for the sick Differences in beliefs and attitudes about health that are

conveyed from one generation to another, can see perceptions of health take on different meanings within some cultural groups.

Dominant cultures have greater social power – Anglo saxon urban group – judged on physical health.

Mainstream medicines, drugs and surgery Alternate medicines are gaining more respect as our perception

on health changes.

- Impact of the media, peers and family

MEDIA Main forms are: Raises awareness Might cause a dominant focus at the expense of others. Heightens peoples perceptions of the risk due to the severity of

the illness/disease. Can contribute to misconceptions (body image) Heightened public concern can pressure government

policies/health expenditure. E.g. introduction of laws relating to zero BAC.

PEERS Most likely to influence our ideas/behaviours

in terms of health. Positive – Negative -

FAMILY Parents = role model Their perception of health is passed on. Example - SES is a major factor. Living in a low SE

environment can impact on the ideas young people develop.

Caring for chronically ill family has implications:

When we view health as a social construct it allows us to:

~ explain why people behave in different ways~ understand social norms are established in cultural subgroups~our concept of health can take on different meanings in particular social contexts.

•Health behaviours of young people

This topic is frequently discussed in the media.

Examples: Do young people have poor health?

- The positive health status of young people.

Research into health status/outcomes is regularly under taken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)

AIHW report – “Young Australians: their health and well being 2007”

12-24 yrs old Improved over time “faring well in terms of health and well-being” Improvements in life expectancy Decline in mortality (1980-2004) caused from injury, suicide

and transport accidents Reductions in morbidity from chronic illness, communicable

disease, injury and suicide.

Figure 2.29

Analysing mortality rates of young people.

1. Propose reasons for the decline in mortality rates of young people over the last 20 years.

2. What are some of the strategies and initiatives that were implemented during this time that may have contributed to the fall in death rates?

3. Explain reasons for the difference in the death rates of young males to females

Self assessment

Nearly 70% young people - rated their own health as excellent.

However, significant differences were evident in the health of young Australians who are:

Indigenous Living in rural or remote areas Experiencing low socioeconomic

disadvantage.

Inquiry

Examine the information on the following page comparing the death rates of different groups of young people in Australia.

Write a paragraph describing the differences between the various groups. Include in your paragraph possible reasons for the differences that are evident from the table.

Indigenous Australians

Young indigenous Australians were less likely to perceive their health as excellent.

Life expectancy is lower. 20 yrs less. Chronic illness – higher rates of asthma,

diabetes and injury Risk factors – obesity, tobacco, incarceration

and lower levels of education.

Living in remote areas.

Injuries Poisoning High risk drinking Poor diet

Specific health conditions of concern for young people.

Mental health disorders Greatest contributor to the burden of disease. Those experiencing high levels of distress are

increasing.Injuries The leading cause of ill health, hospitalisation and

death in this age group 2/3 of premature deaths in this age group. 3x higher

for males.

- Protective behaviours and risk behaviours.

Protective behaviours – are those health behaviours that are likely to enhance a person’s level of health.

E.g. eating adequate amounts of fruit and vegetables daily.

Risk behaviours – are those health behaviours that have been found to contribute to the development of health problems or poorer levels of health.

E.g. Smoking

Regularexercise

Balanced diet

Wearingsunscreen

Protective behaviours

Smoking Drug use

Obesity

Riskbehaviours

Behaviours relating to physical activity

Young people – 60 mins mod/vigorous exercise daily (recommended)

Benefit – stronger bones/muscles. Joint flexibility, friendships, < stress. Less chance to develop illness in later life (type 2 diabetes)

Trend – 2004-05 National health surveyLess active with age.46% males, 30% females meet recommendations.High school age – ¾ boys, 2/3 girls, +2hrs on electronic

entertainment.Risk Factors – Sedentary lifestyle

Behaviours relating to healthy eating

26% young people consumed +3 fruit/veg daily 47% consumed 3 servings daily 25% high school aged students ate snacks 5

times/week High energy diet = weight gain/poor dental health. Presences of indicators of chronic disease, e.g.

elevated levels of insulin in year 10 students(20%). Risk Factors – skipping meals.

Behaviours relating to body weight

Overweight or obese = health problems. Short term = affect social and emotional well-

being. Long term = cancers, osteoarthritis. 15-24 yrs. Overweight = 24% boys, 15%

females. Obese = 6% boys, 7% girls. Risk Factors – poor diet, no exercise

Behaviours relating to drug use

Young people experiment with drugs Smoking, drinking alcohol and illicit drug use.Smoking – data indicates reduction in smoking among young

people. Suggesting a reduction in tobacco related illness in future.

Alcohol – in excess is the problem. Binge drinking = poisoning.Reduces inhibition which can cause physical and emotional harm.E.g.28% females, 24% males = drink high level of risk. Illicit drug use (cannabis 13% within the last 12 months,

amphetamines, heroin)Psychological harm e.g depression

Behaviours relating to sexual activity

Short/long term risks. Unsafe sex = STI’s (chlamydia/gonorrhoea), pregnancy

(premature babies, lower birth weight, unfinished schooling, etc)

PB – being ready for the consequences of a sexual relationship (emotional/physical).

- effective contraception - pap smears RB - casual sex/ multiple partners. 25% had sex while drunk.

Some young people reported being affected by drugs had contributed to their involvement in unwanted sex.

- 10% of sexually active people were not using any form of contraception.

Behaviours relating to establishing social networks and support

Connectedness – sense of belonging or attachment towards other people and places they are frequently in contact with.

Resilience is the capacity of individuals to deal with adversity and challenges in ways that make it possible for them to lead a healthy and fulfilling lives.

Not “fitting in” can experience loneliness and alienation. Higher rates of depression.

PB – regularly attending school, church, team sports, voluntary work.

RB – not doing the above.10% of young people felt they had no one to seek support from.

Behaviours relating to safety

Road Crashes – leading cause of death and injury for young people. 30% = transport.

2007 RTA analysis reported 20% of all drivers/motorcyclists in fatal crashes were aged between 17-25, however, this group only accounted for 15% of all license holders.

Risk taking behaviours - speeding, drinking, identifying hazards, fatigue.

Other distractions – mobile phone, passengers, music.

Behaviours relating to accessing help.

Education - knowing protective/risk behaviours enabling the person to make “healthier” decisions.

Studies have shown that young people’s knowledge of health issues is poor.

E.G Sexual health survey – less than 20% of young people knew that Chlamydia was the most common.

RB – Not seeking help when needed, particularly, mental health issues.

Concerns about confidentiality and embarrassment.

The effect of multiple protective or risk behaviours

Certain behaviours are often associated with each other which increases the health risks to young people.

E.g. National survey of Australian secondary students and sexual health 2002 found that unwanted sex was most commonly associated with excessive drinking.

Adolescences experiencing distress, report higher rates of drug use.

The presences of multiple health risk behaviours increases the level of harm

E.g. The interaction of multiple protective behaviours can reduce the

health riskE.g.

Inquiry

Think about the factors that affect the health of young people. E.g. drug use, road use.

Predict how risk decreases or increases when multiple factors interact.

Create a scenario to discuss.