Wednesday, July 31, y
STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapters 1-7
CHAPTER 1 The Concept of Health
1) What do we mean by “model” when we say, “models of health”?
Scientists use models to study and think about problems. A model means a representa-
tion. Models are important because the framework a person uses and the perspective
she adopts, influence her interpretations, decisions, and behaviours.
2) What two common indicators of population health does this chapter introduce?
Most common indicator of health is LIFE EXPECTANCY at birth(more easily measured
than quality of life). Another common metric of the population is INFANT MORTALITY
RATE (IMR). IMR is calculated as the deaths of infants in the first year of life per 1000
births. These are easy to obtain statistics and hints of living conditions that can lead to
death(poor nutrition, poor sanitation, over crowding)
3) Name five of the 10 leading causes of death globally(you don't have to list them in the
correct order).
Coronary artery disease, stroke, lung cancer, aids, diabetes, road traffic injuries.
4) What does it mean to say, “the medical model takes a mechanistic view of health”?
The medical model is a scientific empirical approach that attempts to form a specific di-
agnosis based on the symptoms of a disorder. It is mechanistic because it is based on
trying to understand and treat human disease through a detailed understanding of hu-
man structure and function. Another feature of this model is that it positioned the physi-
cian as the expert(advise treatment and patients supposed to comply). Another aspect
of this model is that it focuses on the disorder rather than the person.
5) What is the difference between morbidity and mortality?
Morbidity refers to the state of being diseased or unhealthy within a population. Mortality
is the term used for a number of people who died within a population.
6) From a health-promotion point of view, in what three ways is the risk-factor approach
to health useful?
1
, Wednesday, July 31, y
- At the COMMUNITY OR POPULATION LEVEL, health promoters can identify high
risk groups and target prevention or early detection efforts
- At the INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, a high risk individual can decide to change health behav-
iours to reduce their own risk
- At the HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LEVEL, physicians and practitioners can act as a
resource to raise awareness and give knowledge to individuals and communities.
7) State the World Health Organization’s definition of health.
Health is the complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.
8) What are the seven dimensions of wellness proposed by University of California at
Riverside? Explain each of these components in your own words.
Social:ability to relate to and connect with other people. Positive relationships with fam-
ily, friends, co-workers
Emotional: ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring.
Ability to share feelings of anger, fear, but also hope and joy.
Spiritual: ability to develop congruency between actions and values( peace and har-
mony in our lives)
Environmental:ability to make a positive impact on the quality of our environment, our
homes, communities.
Occupational: ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or chosen career fields
while still maintaining balance in our lives. Making a positive impact on the organiza-
tions we work in.
Intellectual: ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied
to personal decisions, group interactions. Desire to learn new concepts, and improve
skills
Physical: ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get though our daily
activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. Taking part in healthful habits such as
balanced diet, exercise, etc.
9) What four simple health habits could add an average of 14 years to longevity?
Not smoking, drinking moderately, keeping physically active, eating five servings of fruit
and vegetables per day.
2
, Wednesday, July 31, y
10) List at least three factors other than personal health behaviours that affect health.
-The physical environment: suns cancer causing ultraviolet rays, water we drink, are we
breathe, exposure to noise.
-Psychological Factors: how we mentally feel impacts our health
-Genetics: damaged genes can cause uncontrolled cell multiplication
-Health Care: continuum from public health promotion(vaccinations), to primary
care(doctors), to more intensive care(hospitals)
11) State at least four social determinants of health.
Employment Status and Occupation, Education, Income, Marital Status, Housing, Eth-
nicity, Community Engagement, Religion
12) Give two different examples of how political factors affect health.
- Mortality from violent death is higher in Aboriginal people due to systematic discrimi-
nation and abuse(feel alienated, disenfranchised from the political process, have feel-
ings of anger or despair)
- Wars breaking out due to ideological reasons to gain control of territory( people need
peace and security to be healthy)
13) Is a strong correlation with mortality a good indication of health? Explain.
No. We can consider someones personal health status as one’s physical soundness( if
they have a disease/illness or not that can cause mortality), however, we must also con-
sider mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental balance to assess some-
ones health. Health should be seen as a process of adapting to stressors and chal-
lenges from our environment. People may not be dying, but may still be suffering so-
cially, mentally, or politically, which indicates that they are not currently healthy. Health
is more than longevity of your life, but is more importantly about our satisfaction of our
lives.
14)
Medical Model=defines health as the absence of disease( make a specific diagnosis
based on the symptoms of a disease), physician has power, and the main focus is on
the disorder rather than the person.
3
STUDY QUESTIONS
Chapters 1-7
CHAPTER 1 The Concept of Health
1) What do we mean by “model” when we say, “models of health”?
Scientists use models to study and think about problems. A model means a representa-
tion. Models are important because the framework a person uses and the perspective
she adopts, influence her interpretations, decisions, and behaviours.
2) What two common indicators of population health does this chapter introduce?
Most common indicator of health is LIFE EXPECTANCY at birth(more easily measured
than quality of life). Another common metric of the population is INFANT MORTALITY
RATE (IMR). IMR is calculated as the deaths of infants in the first year of life per 1000
births. These are easy to obtain statistics and hints of living conditions that can lead to
death(poor nutrition, poor sanitation, over crowding)
3) Name five of the 10 leading causes of death globally(you don't have to list them in the
correct order).
Coronary artery disease, stroke, lung cancer, aids, diabetes, road traffic injuries.
4) What does it mean to say, “the medical model takes a mechanistic view of health”?
The medical model is a scientific empirical approach that attempts to form a specific di-
agnosis based on the symptoms of a disorder. It is mechanistic because it is based on
trying to understand and treat human disease through a detailed understanding of hu-
man structure and function. Another feature of this model is that it positioned the physi-
cian as the expert(advise treatment and patients supposed to comply). Another aspect
of this model is that it focuses on the disorder rather than the person.
5) What is the difference between morbidity and mortality?
Morbidity refers to the state of being diseased or unhealthy within a population. Mortality
is the term used for a number of people who died within a population.
6) From a health-promotion point of view, in what three ways is the risk-factor approach
to health useful?
1
, Wednesday, July 31, y
- At the COMMUNITY OR POPULATION LEVEL, health promoters can identify high
risk groups and target prevention or early detection efforts
- At the INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, a high risk individual can decide to change health behav-
iours to reduce their own risk
- At the HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LEVEL, physicians and practitioners can act as a
resource to raise awareness and give knowledge to individuals and communities.
7) State the World Health Organization’s definition of health.
Health is the complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.
8) What are the seven dimensions of wellness proposed by University of California at
Riverside? Explain each of these components in your own words.
Social:ability to relate to and connect with other people. Positive relationships with fam-
ily, friends, co-workers
Emotional: ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring.
Ability to share feelings of anger, fear, but also hope and joy.
Spiritual: ability to develop congruency between actions and values( peace and har-
mony in our lives)
Environmental:ability to make a positive impact on the quality of our environment, our
homes, communities.
Occupational: ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or chosen career fields
while still maintaining balance in our lives. Making a positive impact on the organiza-
tions we work in.
Intellectual: ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied
to personal decisions, group interactions. Desire to learn new concepts, and improve
skills
Physical: ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get though our daily
activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. Taking part in healthful habits such as
balanced diet, exercise, etc.
9) What four simple health habits could add an average of 14 years to longevity?
Not smoking, drinking moderately, keeping physically active, eating five servings of fruit
and vegetables per day.
2
, Wednesday, July 31, y
10) List at least three factors other than personal health behaviours that affect health.
-The physical environment: suns cancer causing ultraviolet rays, water we drink, are we
breathe, exposure to noise.
-Psychological Factors: how we mentally feel impacts our health
-Genetics: damaged genes can cause uncontrolled cell multiplication
-Health Care: continuum from public health promotion(vaccinations), to primary
care(doctors), to more intensive care(hospitals)
11) State at least four social determinants of health.
Employment Status and Occupation, Education, Income, Marital Status, Housing, Eth-
nicity, Community Engagement, Religion
12) Give two different examples of how political factors affect health.
- Mortality from violent death is higher in Aboriginal people due to systematic discrimi-
nation and abuse(feel alienated, disenfranchised from the political process, have feel-
ings of anger or despair)
- Wars breaking out due to ideological reasons to gain control of territory( people need
peace and security to be healthy)
13) Is a strong correlation with mortality a good indication of health? Explain.
No. We can consider someones personal health status as one’s physical soundness( if
they have a disease/illness or not that can cause mortality), however, we must also con-
sider mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental balance to assess some-
ones health. Health should be seen as a process of adapting to stressors and chal-
lenges from our environment. People may not be dying, but may still be suffering so-
cially, mentally, or politically, which indicates that they are not currently healthy. Health
is more than longevity of your life, but is more importantly about our satisfaction of our
lives.
14)
Medical Model=defines health as the absence of disease( make a specific diagnosis
based on the symptoms of a disease), physician has power, and the main focus is on
the disorder rather than the person.
3
