The Degree of control individual can exert over their health Modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants The changing influence of determinants through different stages of life

overview The degree of control individuals can exert over their health varies throughout our life and due to various contexts. Some individuals can exert a great deal of control over their health, while others have little if any control over their health. It is important as you consider this dot point that you assess the degree of control individuals can exert over their health. This is done by asking a series of questions, such as: How much control do individuals have over the determinants? What can individuals do to modify the determinants they have little control over? How does the level of influence of the determinants change over time? You will need to understand the difference between a modifiable and non-modifiable health determinant and how, even the modifiable determinants or factors contributing to health have varying degrees of control for each individual depending on their context.

Modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants This dot point seeks to identify which of the determinants can be modified and which cannot. HOW MUCH CONTROL DO INDIVIDUALS HAVE OVER THE DETERMINANTS? Modifiable means that it can be changed and controlled to a certain extent. Determinants which are modifiable are: Knowledge, skills, attitude (individual) Peers, religion (sociocultural) Employment, education, income (socioeconomic) Geographical location, access to health services and technology (environmental) Some of these modifiable determinants are more easily changed than others. For eg – to change your employment may require you to improve your education To change geographical location can be difficult due to family or cultural connections in your current location. Also money could be an issue.

Modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants Non-modifiable health determinants include the following: Genetics (individual) Family, media, culture (sociocultural) These determinants can never be changed. Understanding modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants helps us to better understand why some people can feel powerless when in comes to improving their health, while others feel they can easily change. WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS DO TO MODIFY THE DETERMINANTS THEY HAVE LITTLE CONTROL OVER? Sometimes – very little. Depending on how easy the determinant is to change will have an impact on an individuals decision. For example, not many people are willing to quit their job and move house in the hope of improving their health. There are many things and individual can do to improve their health determinants For example, having a positive attitude towards their health and making it a priority. They can seek to improve their level of education which in turn increases their knowledge and skills. This then leads to employment opportunities and possible income increases.

Modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants As you move through different life stages, the influence of health determinants will change. Life stages doesn’t mean just ageing. It can include: Graduating HSC, TAFE or University Getting married Buying a house Having children And much more HOW DOES THE LEVEL OF INFLUENCE OF THE DETERMINANTS CHANGE OVER TIME? A child’s health is largely determined by their parents, such as what they eat, where they live, when they access health services, who their peers are, what education they might receive etc. Parents are also restricted by the more influential determinants such as: Work commitments which limits where they live and access to health services Poor education and chose to eat unhealthy food unaware that it isn’t good for you To change some of these things requires money and/or support. If neither is available, it can become hard and risky, resulting in making no changes.

Modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants Other examples of the changing influence of determinants through different life stages include: Adolescence when peers have a larger influence on your health than they did when you were younger and the influence of family begins to decline. Leaving home can result in less influence from parents, or peers and a greater influence from your own knowledge and skills. An adult with a mortgage is highly influenced by socioeconomic factors. Children are heavily influenced by sociocultural factors as family control many aspect and input values, religion and cultural traditions. Between ages 5-21 in Australia education increases in influence as your level of education increases dramatically. Geographic location increases if disability occurs or increases (often with age), e.g. moving into a nursing home when you need 24/7 care for dementia.

Practice questions 1. Define modifiable and non-modifiable health determinants and provide examples for each. (4 marks) 2. Assess how much control an individual has over their health. (8 marks) 3. How does the influence of the determinants of health change throughout one’s life? (6 marks)