Area of study 1
Dot point 1
Definitions of physical, social and health mental dimensions
of health and health status.
S
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
S At the end of World War 2 in 1945 a group of diplomats formed the
United Nations.
S Delegates are members of countries who work to establish and
maintain relationships and agreements between countries.
S 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
SThe 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:
PHYSICAL 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
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
Flexible
muscles and
joints
Well functioning
body, systems
and organs
Strong
immune
system
Low levels of
risk taking
behaviour
Appropriate
level of fitness
Ideal body
weight
OPTIMAL
PHYSICAL
HEALTH
Appropriate
nutrition
Healthy
blood
pressure
Freedom from
illness, disease
and injury
Adequate
energy levels
Ability to
complete
physical tasks
adequately
Sufficient strength
to engage in
physical activity
Definition:
Social Health
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
Supportive
network of
friends
Accepting
responsibility
for actions.
Obeying the
laws and rules
of society.
Being an active
family member
Having and
maintaining a
supportive network
of friends.
Social Health
Supportive well
functioning
family
Communicating
effectively with
others.
Mental Health
Definitions:
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
Feeling good
about oneself –
positive selfesteem
Having
confidence
and self
belief
Supporting and
helping the
community
Having coping
mechanisms to
deal with stress
Mental Health
Being
resilient
Being resilient
and able to cope
with a range of
situations
Positive
thought
patterns-being
optimistic
Low levels of
stress and
anxiety
Recognising and
expressing
feelings
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 • Feels guilty, enjoys
three children.
time with her
• Must return to work
children.
due to economic
• Feels time pressured.
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.
B - Jack
Physical
• Plays a musical
instrument therefore
movement and
possible perspiration.
• Plays football and
cricket therefore is
likely to promote
fitness.
Social
Mental
• Divorced parents.
• Upset about divorce
• Plays an instrument>
therefore attends
participated in a
counselling
concert.
sessions> led to
• Goes to school
increased levels of
• Plays in a cricket and
happiness and
football team.
confidence.
• Spends time with
• More positive due to
friends i.e. maintains
performing in a
a network of friends.
concert.
C- Agium
Physical
Social
• When in refugee
• Social situation has
camp, experienced a
changed from living
lack of access to
in Sudan, the refugee
health care, food and
camp in Kenya and
quality housing.
then to Australia,
• Has been attacked
therefore schooling
whilst in the camp.
has been limited.
• Eating better as diet • Has made friends in
has improved.
Australia.
• Adequate exercise.
Mental
• 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. Lauren
Socially 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
S 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
S 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
S 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
Chronic
illness
Death
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
Genetics
Body weight
Cholesterol levels
Blood pressure
Ability 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
Exercise regularly
and eat well.
Flexible
Fit
Healthy weight range
Sleeping well
Social
Mental
May mix and do
Feel positive and
things with others e.g. resilient
sharing meals
OR
Example> mental health issue or
depression ( viral health problem)
Physical
Social
May not have the
May not go to school
energy to exercise.
and
Or
interact with others.
Reduced appetite
therefore weight may be
lost or gained.
Mental
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 1VCE Exam 2012
Question 1
Describe the mental dimension of health.
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2
marks
Turia Pitt
S http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEXHSW5ePns
S http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dIdskeO2s4