Contemporary health issues lecture 1 - what is health (pdf) PDF

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HLTH2000. Session 2, 2020. Lecture by Dr Gemma Malungahu....

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What is health? Health is… • Health can mean different things to different people. The meaning of health varies across different individuals, groups and organisations • Health is a holistic and encompassing concept. Moves beyond biomedical focused definitions of health, i.e. not merely the absence of sickness, disease and illness Biomedical vs. population health view Comparisons

Holistic & encompassing definitions of health • Dimensions of health can encompass the social, cultural, physical, political and economic context of peoples lives. Including spiritual, mental, psychological and emotional wellbeing • Indigenous perspective of health - Includes ones relationship to land, family, community and society Definition of health Think about the contributing factors Health includes (but is not limited to): • Peace and shelter • Taxation, economics • Politics and policy • Access to the social determinants of health • Issues of mortality and morbidity • Adequate housing • Social support • Nutritious food Contemporary health issues Health issues • What are health issues?

- Can refer to any issue that leads to poor health outcomes within a group or population • Size of effect - Proportion of population affected • Severity - Life threatening, triage priority • Exposure or risks associated • Ethical considerations - Breach of human rights • Lack of or poor government intervention Health inequality vs. health inequity Definition • Health inequalities are the quantifiable differences in health outcomes between different population groups. Some health inequalities are attributable to biological variations • Health inequities are health inequalities that are unjust and unfair. Most health inequalities are actually health inequities • The unequal access to the social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities Public health Functions & components • Health promotion • Health prevention • Addressing social determinants of health • Values social justice and health equity • Develops health, social policy and ethics • Advocates and enables healthy environments • Research and evaluation • Global health...