Chapter 1 Health: The Foundation of Life

Health and Wellness Good health: enables one to function adequately and independently in changing environments Optimal wellness: A sense that one is functioning at one’s best level

The Components of Health Physical Health – Overall condition of the organ systems Psychological (Mental) Health – Ability to deal effectively with the psychological challenges of life Social Health – Sense of well being from forming supportive and stimulating relationships Intellectual Health – Ability to problem solve and use higher-order thinking to deal with life’s challenges Spiritual Health – Belief that one’s life has purpose Environmental Health – The conditions where one lives, works, and plays

The Components of Health Study this image. Write down 3 observations. Share with a partner

Tracking the Nation’s Health Causes of death Certain diseases Life expectancy Age, gender, and race Tracking the Nation’s Health

1900: Newborn babies were expected to live about 50 years 2017: Newborn babies are expected to live about 78 years Life Expectancy What’s Changed? Vaccines Access to health care Preventative efforts Prenatal care

Healthy People 2020: Primary Goals Attain high quality, longer lives free from preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death. 01 Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups. 02 Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. 03 Promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors. 04

Minority Health Disparities A minority group is one in which members of the group differ from the social majority based on: Ethnicity Race Gender Wealth Sexual orientation Overall a person’s health is most influenced by: Income level Health insurance coverage Educational attainment Years living in the United States Individuals who achieve a higher level of education usually have higher incomes and better health than those with less education.

Genetics Genes are units of heredity passed from parent to child and can determine some of the child’s characteristics Mistakes or mutations in the genetic code can result in disease and even death. Most of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, particularly heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, have a genetic component.

Understanding Health Behavior Why do some people adopt more positive health-related behaviors than others? What motivates our health behavior? Many factors influence our health behavior, including: Personal beliefs and values Perceived needs and barriers Self-efficacy Perceived vulnerability Perception of control Cultural and societal influences

Stages of Behavior Change

Decision-Making Model

Your Own Healthy Habits What are 3 positive health behaviors that you have adopted? What are negative behaviors that you would like to resolve?

The Goals of Prevention Prevention of diseases, infections, injuries, birth defects, and other serious health conditions. Prevention is viewed as a better and less costly option than treatment. In addition to engagement in healthy behavior (e.g., regular exercise), routine health care is also important. The Goals of Prevention

Routine Health Recommendations

Analyzing Health Information Health information is abundant and is distributed through many sources, including articles, ads, infomercials, and websites. To determine credibility of health information, use a model such as the analysis model. Answering questions using the analysis model can help identify inaccuracies, biases, or motives. Analyzing Health Information

Analysis Model Which statements are verifiable facts, and which are unverified statements or value claims? Ignore anecdotes and testimonials Look for Disclaimers What are the credentials of the person who makes health-related claims? Does this person have the appropriate background and education in the topic area? What can you do to check the person’s credentials? What might be the motives and biases of the person making the claims? What is the main point of the article, ad, or claim? Which information is relevant to the issue, main point, product, or service? Which information is irrelevant? Is the source reliable? What evidence supports your conclusion that the source is reliable or unreliable? Does the source of information present the pros and cons of the topic or the benefits and risks of the product? Does the source of information attack the credibility of conventional scientists or medical authorities?

Example of Misleading Health Information

Active Consumerism Activity Work in groups of 3 Find an ad for a health-related product (drug, exercise equipment, food, supplement, etc.) 1. Evaluate the claims made in the ad for bias and whether or not they are supported by studies 2. Evaluate the ad for misleading or irrelevant information 3. Develop an argument for or against the veracity of the ad We will present our ads and analyses tomorrow