ESSENTIALS OF THE U.S. HEALTH CARE
SYSTEM CHAPTER 1 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026
◉ Variation Among Nations' Health Care Systems.
Answer: Definitions of health problems (obesity)
Diagnosis and treatment models
Social position, training, and authority of healers
◉ WHO, 1949 Health Definition.
Answer: Complete physical, mental, and social well-being not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity
◉ ABIM Conference 1981 Health Definition.
Answer: The ability to conduct a life that is as socially and
economically rewarding as available physical and financial resources
will allow
◉ Webster's, 2019 Health Definition.
Answer: The condition of being sound in body, mind, and spirit,
especially free of disease or infirmity
, ◉ Genetic Inheritance (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Also epigenetics (gene-environmental interactions)
◉ Physical Environment (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Exposures, housing, availability of health foods
◉ Social & Economic Environment (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Education, income, employment, community, social
support and culture
◉ Health Behavior (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Exercise, smoking, diet (often shaped by the preceding)
◉ Health Care (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Accessible, affordable, quality, and adequate intensity
◉ Health Behavior.
Answer: Affects health, usually negatively (Smoking, alcohol/drug
abuse, diet, lack of exercise)
Implicated in most "leading causes of death" in the United States
(Heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, etc.)
Common target for health improvement efforts
SYSTEM CHAPTER 1 COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026
◉ Variation Among Nations' Health Care Systems.
Answer: Definitions of health problems (obesity)
Diagnosis and treatment models
Social position, training, and authority of healers
◉ WHO, 1949 Health Definition.
Answer: Complete physical, mental, and social well-being not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity
◉ ABIM Conference 1981 Health Definition.
Answer: The ability to conduct a life that is as socially and
economically rewarding as available physical and financial resources
will allow
◉ Webster's, 2019 Health Definition.
Answer: The condition of being sound in body, mind, and spirit,
especially free of disease or infirmity
, ◉ Genetic Inheritance (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Also epigenetics (gene-environmental interactions)
◉ Physical Environment (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Exposures, housing, availability of health foods
◉ Social & Economic Environment (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Education, income, employment, community, social
support and culture
◉ Health Behavior (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Ex. Exercise, smoking, diet (often shaped by the preceding)
◉ Health Care (Determinants of Health).
Answer: Accessible, affordable, quality, and adequate intensity
◉ Health Behavior.
Answer: Affects health, usually negatively (Smoking, alcohol/drug
abuse, diet, lack of exercise)
Implicated in most "leading causes of death" in the United States
(Heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory diseases, etc.)
Common target for health improvement efforts
