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Area of study 1Dot point 1

Definitions of physical, social and health mental dimensions of health and health status.

What does health mean to you?Your own – lay definition

Why is health difficult to define? Health means different things to different people . There is a diversity of views i.e. Medical

professionals vs lay definition. Term health is not completely understood. It is a complex and multi-dimensional concept. Definition varies according to education and age.

United Nations

At the end of World War 2 in 1945 a group of diplomats formed the United Nations.

Delegates are members of countries who work to establish and maintain relationships and agreements between countries.

The United Nations aims to increase co-operation in international law, security, peace, economic development, social progress and human rights.

World Health Organisation• One of the first goals of the United Nations

was to establish an organisation to provide leadership on global health matters.

• WHO is the directing and co-ordinating authority for health within the united nations system. i.e. WHO promotes global health.

WHO 1946 definition of health:

Health is defined as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

This definition was significant at the time as it incorporated more than physical health.

This definition is criticised for being idealistic and difficult to achieve> complete.

Wellbeing

The state of being healthy, happy and contented, usually determined through self assessment.

WHO 1986 Definition of health:

This definition was devised at the global health conference at which the Ottawa charter was developed. At Ottawa in 1986 the health delegates expanded on the definition of 1946.

To reach a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, an individual or group must be able to identify and realise aspirations, to satisfy needs and to change or cope with the environment. Health is therefore seen as a resource for everyday life, not the object of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.

This definition is broader and more inclusive e.g. includes the environment.

Complete summary notes on each of the dimensions of health:

Definition:

Relates to the efficient functioning of the body and its systems, and includes the physical capacity to perform tasks and physical fitness. VCAA

PHYSICAL HEALTH

General description:• The most obvious and easiest dimension to describe.• Ill health is often visibly discernible and easily diagnosed by health

professionals.• A persons overall physical condition at a particular time.• A high level of physical health is the result of regular exercise,

suitable diet and sufficient rest.• To maintain good health : individuals need to take responsibility

and care for minor illnesses, take actions to prevent injury and disability where possible.

• Physical activity has many benefits.• Physical health is reliant on the use of knowledge and decision

making.

PHYSICAL HEALTH

OPTIMAL PHYSICAL HEALTH

Freedom from illness, disease

and injury

Adequate energy levels

Ideal body weight

Well functioning

body, systems and organs

Strong immune system

Appropriate level of fitness

Ability to complete

physical tasks adequately

Healthy blood

pressure

Flexible muscles

and joints

Sufficient strength to engage in

physical activity

Appropriate nutrition

Low levels of risk taking behaviour

Social HealthDefinition:

Being able to interact with others and participate in the community in both an independent and co-operative way. VCAA

General definition:• People are social beings whose health requires them to be

interdependent and able to adapt in different social environments.

• Depends on how effectively people are able to interact with others in their society.

• Incorporates elements of personality and social skills.• Reflects social norms.• If well integrated into the community, individuals tend to live

longer, recover faster from disease, therefore avoiding social isolation> a risk factor for ill health.

• Emphasis is on interdependence i.e. two way relationships with others and the community (awareness of each others importance) .

• Positive interactions leads to being comfortable in different situations, communicating effectively.

• An important aspect is experiencing better communication with others.

• Shared social support e.g. children and families.• Having a sense of community.

Social Health

Social Health

Having and maintaining a

supportive network of

friends.

Communicating effectively with others.

Being an active family member

Obeying the laws and rules of society.

Accepting responsibility for actions.

Supportive well

functioning family

Supportive network of

friends

Mental HealthDefinitions:

The mental dimensions of health refer to a state of well being in which the individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and are able to make a contribution to their community. VCAA

General description:• Is dependent on how well a person can function within their thoughts,

feelings and behaviours, not only relevant to themselves but to the world around them.

• This dimension involves a person’s state of mind, including their emotions and feelings (awareness of feelings) e.g. happiness, excitement, sadness, grief, loss, boredom, stress, fear, anger and their thought processes.

• It involves a person using their mental capabilities, functioning in society and meeting common every day demands.

• A high level of mental health> Feel capable Competent Able to handle stress, manage and recover from difficult situations. Resilient Able to form and maintain independent relationships

Mental Health

Mental Health

Recognising and

expressing feelings

Being resilient and able to cope with a

range of situations

Supporting and helping

the community

Feeling good about

oneself –positive self-

esteem

Having coping

mechanisms to deal with

stress

Being resilient

Having confidence

and self belief

Low levels of stress

and anxiety

Positive thought patterns-

being optimistic

Interrelationships between the dimensions of health.

Examples:

Playing a team sport (physical e.g.: promotion of fitness) is a great way to interact positively with peers.

How could this example also link to mental health?

Sport reduces stress and assists with sleep, increasing self esteem due to positive interactions with others.

Maintaining great relationships with close friends helps a person to experience positive feelings in relation to their self esteem.

How could this example also link to physical health?Social interactions may increase a persons

fitness. If active while doing things in a friendship group in may lead to an adequate diet and promote sleep.

When a person is not well they may not be able to focus as well on your studies.

How could this example also link to social health?

The individual like socialising with others and therefore withdraw or may not feel confident in social situations i.e. school.

Revision activities :Complete the following sections relating to three case studies.

a. Lauren

Physical Social Mental

• Underweight• Lack of exercise• Low appetite

• Family situation with three children.

• Must return to work due to economic reasons.

• Busy meeting demands and obligations i.e. accepting responsibility for her actions.

• Socially isolated> feels that she lacks freedom

• Lack of time for exercise.

• Feels guilty, enjoys time with her children.

• Feels time pressured.

Physical Social Mental

• Plays a musical instrument therefore movement and possible perspiration.

• Plays football and cricket therefore is likely to promote fitness.

• Divorced parents.• Plays an

instrument> participated in a concert.

• Goes to school• Plays in a cricket

and football team.

• Spends time with friends i.e. maintains a network of friends.

• Upset about divorce therefore attends counselling sessions> led to increased levels of happiness and confidence.

• More positive due to performing in a concert.

B - Jack

C- Agium

Physical Social Mental

• When in refugee camp, experienced a lack of access to health care, food and quality housing.

• Has been attacked whilst in the camp.

• Eating better as diet has improved.

• Adequate exercise.

• Social situation has changed from living in Sudan, the refugee camp in Kenya and then to Australia, therefore schooling has been limited.

• Has made friends in Australia.

• Experienced the threat of violence whilst in the camp.

• Happier now that she is in Australia.

• Challenged/ struggles with school work i.e. reading and writing.

• Other students are younger than her therefore may impact on her self esteem.

Identify and explain one interrelationship between the dimensions of health that is

evident within each case study:

A. LaurenSocially returning to work and mixing with others and coping with the demands of her job. This impacts on her mental health as this has inturn made her feel guilty, time pressured and lacking in freedom and time to do things. This made an impact on her physical health as she has reduced her exercise and appetite resulting in weight loss> underweight.

B. Jack

Jack is developing resilience by learning to cope with divorced parent situation and is mentally feeling better about himself. This impacts on his social health as he has the confidence to go into a concert, mix with others and play cricket and football. This in turn impacts on his physical health as his fitness increases.

C. Agium

Her poor situation i.e. in Sudan has resulted in decreased health care, nutritional status and personal safety. This has impacted on Agium’s physical and mental health. However, with improved living conditions in Australia and access to education she has improved his mental and physical health as she is in a safe environment with access to food and adequate health care. She inturn is able to safe to interact in social groups through her education.

Continuum of health

Health can range in degrees and is constantly changing, not static. It can range from an optimal to the state of death very quickly. It can change quickly moving along the continuum below.

Optimal health

Good health

Average health

Poor health Deat

h

Chronic illness

6. Exploring health as a continuum:

a. Where on the continuum would you rate your health right now?

b. Where would you have rated your health a year ago?

c. Has your health moved on the continuum over time?

d. Where would you like your health to be in ten years time?

e. What factors may impact on your health over the next ten years?Biological/ biomedical factors

Behavioural factors Social factors Physical environment factors

GeneticsBody weightCholesterol levelsBlood pressureAbility to regulate glucose.

Risks and protective factors e.g. choices whether or not to smoke, be physically active, take drugs, vaccination, dietary choices, sun exposure.

Socioeconomic status i.e. income, education level, employment / occupation.

Housing, location of residence> rural remote vs city

Our state of health is dynamic.

Our health is constantly changing. It is a product of these constantly changing processes.

Give an example:Physical Social Mental

Exercise regularly and eat well.FlexibleFitHealthy weight rangeSleeping well

May mix and do things with others e.g. sharing meals

Feel positive and resilient

OR

Example> mental health issue or depression ( viral health problem)

Physical Social Mental

May not have the energy to exercise.OrReduced appetite therefore weight may be lost or gained.

May not go to school and interact with others.

May feel stressed.Loss of independence.May not feel positive.May be less resilient.May have a low /poor self image/ self esteem.

Optimal health:

The best possible health to which someone can realistically aspire, in some or all of the three dimensions.

Maintaining an optimal level of wellbeing or health requires a balanced interaction between all dimensions of health

Optimal health involves taking good care of physical self, using the mind constructively and expressing emotions effectively, being involved with those around them.

Health Status:

An individual’s or population’s overall level of health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability, level of disease risk factors.

(AIHW 2008- VCAA)

Question 1 VCE Exam 2012

Question 1

Describe the mental dimension of health.

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2 marks

Turia Pitt

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