L1.1: Health and Determinants of Health

• “It is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well being, and not

  merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” as said by the World Health Organization (WHO), therefore it is: Holistic


  Health
• • Described by the qualities of a person’s adaptation, as well as their self-management.
  • Recognized as a fundamental human right (WHO Constitution, 1946) protected by certain entitlements, and;
  • A resource for life that is affected by social, political, economic, and environmental factors. (Shilton, et al 2011)
  • State of being well and using every power the individual possesses to the fullest extent. (Nightingale).


  Health
• Determinants of Health

  • Income and Social Status
  • Education
  • Physical Environment
  • Employment and Working Conditions
  • Social Support Network
  • Genetics and Gender
• factors that influence how likely we are to stay healthy or to become ill or injured.

  Determinants
• • Financial resources to access health services.
  • People with higher income and better social status are linked to better health as they have better access to health services.


  Income and Social Status
• a basic indicator of social status, determines the access to resources beneficial for our health.

  Income
• • Greater access to medical services, better nutrition, and services embedded in social networks
  • Higher health outcomes and lower health risks

  Higher income and social status
• The ‘greater the gap between the richest and the poorest, the larger the difference is in health.’
• • People’s knowledge about the management and treatment of a certain disease.
  • Low education level is often linked to poor health, more stress, and lower self-confidence


  Education
• • Provides the knowledge and information necessary for developing skills including:
  • Healthy behaviors
  • Management and treatment of certain diseases or illnesses
  • Other preventive measures


  Education
• • Higher health literacy
  • Less stress and more self-confidence when dealing with health-related issues


  Higher education levels
• • Poor sanitation and unclean environment breed diseases (water-borne, airborne, etc.)
  • Absence or presence of microorganisms.

  Physical Environment
• The state of our surroundings interact with us to either promote or hinder health. These include the following but are NOT LIMITED to:

  • Water Quality
  • Air Quality
  • Community
  • Housing
  • Roads

  Physical Environment
• Uncontaminated water promotes nutrition and lessens risks of waterborne diseases.

  Water Quality
• Unpolluted air promotes respiratory and cardiovascular health.

  Air Quality
• Access to health facilities, transportation, green spaces, areas for recreational activities, along with low crime rates contribute to the well-being of all members.

  Community
• • Good insulation and ventilation along with absence of safety hazards prevent diseases and injuries.
  • Good sanitation facilities promote hygiene.

  Housing
• Good road infrastructure with little to no traffic lessens accidents.

  Roads
• People in employment are healthier, particularly those who have more control over their working conditions.

  Employment and Working Conditions
• We earn the income we need from jobs to provide health necessities for ourselves and for our families.

  Employment and Working Conditions
• • Have a good work-life balance
  • Do not usually experience work-related problems, thus;
  • Are not prone to poor physical, emotional and mental health.

  Employed and have favorable working conditions
• • Support from families, friends, and communities leads to better health due to its social and psychological nature.
  • Culture: Customs, traditions, and beliefs of the family and community all affect health (e.g. JW’s inability to receive blood transfusion)


  Social Support Network
• • The people such as our families, friends, and the communities we reside in affect our health and mindset.
  • cultures have a role in influencing our health beliefs.

  Social Support Network
• • Positively boosts physical, emotional, and mental health
  • Reduces and relieves stress

  Strong social support networks
• • Non-modifiable factors which influence the health of an individual (e.g. hereditary diseases).
  • Lifestyle Modification is encouraged to lessen the effects of the disease
  • The only factor that’s non-modifiable.

  Genetics and Gender
• • These non-modifiable characteristics allow diseases to be transferred from one generation to the next.
  • In addition, they could also determine a person’s lifespan and their likelihood of developing the disease.


  Genetics and Gender