Syllabus Content Perceptions of Health Perceptions of their health Perceptions of the health of others eg parents, the elderly, the homeless Implications of different perceptions of health Perceptions of health as social constructs Impact of the media, peers and family

Perceptions of Health How healthy am I? How healthy do other people think I am? How healthy do I think other people are? Why would my perceptions of health be similar or different to others? How might an individual’s perception of health affect their behaviour and wellbeing?

Perceptions of their Health (personal perceptions) A person’s perception of his or her health status is highly subjective (based on personal opinion that is biased). Some people perceive themselves as healthy despite suffering from one or more chronic diseases, while others perceive themselves as ill even when no objective evidence of disease can be found.

Perceptions of their Health (personal perceptions) (cont.) When making judgements about our level of health and wellbeing our perceptions are influenced by a range of factors: Our personal interpretation of the term health Our beliefs about our capacity to achieve good health Our environment Health behaviours and lifestyle Past level of health Attitudes about health conveyed by family, peers and media The value we place on the importance of being healthy

Changing Perceptions of Health

Perception of the Health of Others Just as our own level of health is influenced by a range of factors, so too are our judgements about the health status of others. Our different ways of seeing and interpreting the living conditions, fitness levels and health behaviours of various groups significantly shape our notions of how healthy people in different circumstances are likely to be. These are stereotypical beliefs about particular groups.

Activities Activity 1 Working in pairs rate your own level of health and then ask your partner to rate what level of health they think you have, stating why they have that perception. Activity 2 In groups of 4 discuss where your group (will be given to you) is placed on the health continuum. Record your ideas on the paper provided. Activity 3 View the images on the next slide. Discuss your perception of this person’s health.

Old man cystic fibrosis Olympian Pregnant Broken arms Double leg amputee Obese Healthy eating Poor eating Smoker Couple lady is a drug addict

Click View Images of Health + worksheet Variations in Health Status

Implications of Different Perceptions of Health A number of implications may arise from different perceptions of health. Implications refer to what might happen as a result of something else. A persons belief about health may influence their perceptions of the cost and/or benefits of engaging in various health compromising behaviours.

Implications of Different Perceptions of Health (cont.) We may treat people differently based on our perception of health. For example, we may automatically assume that a person in a wheelchair is unhealthy and can not involve them in activities we are planning. Other perceptions revolve around women in sport, often women are considered ‘weaker’ and ‘less skilful’ then men. At the societal level, different perceptions drive the agenda of agencies responsible for developing health strategies and interventions. They may lead to policies that affect the safety, cost and even existence of many health products and technologies. Epidemiology is the study of patterns of diseases and ill health within a population group. It is used to identify areas of health that are emerging concerns, determine risk factors that contribute to ill health and target prevention strategies towards a particular population group or issue.

Measures of Epidemiology 1. Mortality is the number of deaths in a given population from a particular cause and/or over a period of time per 100 000 people. 2. Morbidity is the incidence or level of illness or sickness in a given population per 100 000 people. 3. Life Expectancy is the average number of years of life remaining to a person at a particular age, based on current death rates. 4. Infant Mortality is the number of deaths in infants (under 1 year of age), based on 1000 live births.

Perceptions of Health as Social Constructs Social construct is a concept that recognises that people have different views based on their social circumstances and ways of seeing, interpreting, interrelating and interacting with their environment. Typical housing in third world country. Typical housing in first world country.

Age- our age, how younger and older people are perceived A number of factors are likely to play a role in our social construct of health: Socioeconomic status- our ability to earn money, assets and possessions Geographic location- where we live, rural or cities, farming or in town Cultural background- our ethnicity which affects the foods we eat, our lifestyles, etc Gender- whether we are male or female and the common stereotypes associated with each gender Age- our age, how younger and older people are perceived Level of education- influences peoples perceptions on our affluence, intelligence, place in society Community values and expectations- what is expected of us by others in the community Stereotype= fixed image, opinion or concept Affluence= abundance of; wealth

Impact of the Media, Peers and Family The media, our peers and our family have a significant impact on the perceptions we develop about health. These groups exert a strong influence on the ideas that people form about what constitutes good health.

The Media Media includes TV, radio, magazines, movies, newspapers and internet The media plays a significant role in disseminating health-related information. For example, news stories on binge drinking, television advertisements about skin cancer or feature articles in magazines on obsessive compulsive disorder all seek to raise awareness and increase people’s understanding of these health issues.

Misleading messages in the media about health can contribute to misconceptions or distorted perceptions of health. For example, magazines, television, movies and other forms of media are full of images of tanned, attractive, slim women and men with athletic, muscular physiques.

Sustained media coverage of a particular health issue can lead to such attention and heightened public concern that it can influence government policy, priorities and health expenditure. For example, frequent front page stories about road crashes involving young people have been a critical factor in increasing community awareness and intensifying concerns about the over representation of young people in accident statistics.

Peers and Family Who we associate in and outside of school markedly influences our attitudes about health and health behaviours. Our family and peers are the groups most likely to influence our ideas, promote certain behaviours and provide support in terms of our health.

When group members share similar ideas about what good health means and place comparable value on the importance of good health it is easier for the individual to behave in ways that will enhance their health and well-being.

Social pressures, along with the desire to fit in may contribute to decisions being made that are likely to negatively affect their health. Example: experiment with drugs such as tobacco and alcohol, take risks when driving, participate in sexual activity, sun baking are all common amongst peers

Families Families have a significant influence in the lives of most young people. Parents are our role models from a very young age, so the ideas they communicate about what health means and the values they convey about the importance of good health have a strong effect on the perceptions that we develop.

The living conditions of families, along with other socioeconomic factors such as income, education and employment, also have a bearing on out ideas about health. People living in socioeconomic disadvantaged areas generally live shorter lives and suffer more illness and a lower quality of life than those well off.

Poorer economic circumstances can also limit the amount of money available to be spent on health related expenses, therefore affecting the priority given to health and the importance with which it is viewed.

Questions Growing up can be stressful and challenging. Discuss how your perception of health at different times impacts on your behaviour and wellbeing; for example, when you are fit and healthy versus when you are feeling down or unwell. Investigate how body shapes have changed since 1900. Collect pictures, photos and newspaper clippings that highlight the changing body shapes of men and women. Use these images in a timeline that demonstrated these changes. Discuss in small groups how society’s acceptance of different body types has changed.

Analyse the degree to which a young person’s perceptions of health will be socially constructed by the impact of media messages. A) Identify the factors that indicate health is socially constructed. B) Discuss how these factors influence our health.