social model of health

• DEFINE new public health:

  approach to health that expands traditional focus on individual behaviour change to one that considers ways in which physical, sociocultural and political environments impact health
• DEFINE social model of health:

  approach that recognises improvements in h+w can only be achieved by directing effort towards addressing physical, sociocultural and political environments oof health that have impact on individuals and population groups
• principles of the social model:

  • addresses the broader determinants of health
  • reduce social inequity
  • empowers individuals and the community
  • accessibility to healthcare
  • intersectorial collaboration
• • addresses the broader determinants of health:
  • factors such as gender, culture, race, ethnicity, SES, location and physical environment can all influence health
• • reduce social inequality:
  • acts of reduce inequality in health by promoting equity for all people
  • the most vulnerable groups get more
• • empowers individuals and the community
  • empowering individuals and communities with health knowledge and skills means they can participate in decision making and take control over their health
• • accessibility to healthcare
  • barriers to accessing healthcare can include: cultural and language barriers, geographical and economic factors and education levels
  • physical ability
• • intersectorial collaboration
  • many groups (government, health, private sectors) need to work together towards a common goal
• advantages of social model of health

  • promotes good h+w and assists in preventing diseases
  • focuses on broader determinants of h+w, prevent conditions from developing (improve health status)
  • takes more holistic approach to h+w
  • doesn’t just focus on diseases that are present, potential to promote overall h+w
  • less expensive than biomedical approach
  • focuses on vulnerable population groups
  • education can be passed on from generation → generation
  • promoting sustainable improvements in health status
  • responsibility for h+w is shared
  • makes h+w responsibility of more than just the health sector
• disadvantages of social model of health

  • not every illness/condition can be prevented
  • doesn't promote development of technology and mecial knowledge
  • focuses on broader determinants
  • doesn't address health and wellbeing concerns of individuals
  • health promotion messages may be ignored
• DEFINE old public health

  • Government actions that focused on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease.