CHRONIC PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Chronic Physical Health Problems § Health problems present for extended periods and that are characterized by  nonreversible pathological changes  a need for lifestyle adjustment, or  a prolonged period of supervision and care by health professionals

Personal Effects of Chronic Health Problems § Impairment: Loss of psychological, physiological, or anatomical, structure or function § Disability: Limitation in functional ability § Handicap: Disadvantage resulting from impairment or disability that impedes role fulfillment § Financial burden

Population Effects of Chronic Health Problems § Societal costs § Morbidity § Mortality

Assessing Risk for Chronic Health Problems § Biophysical considerations § Psychological considerations § Physical Environmental considerations § Sociocultural considerations § Behavioral considerations § Health system considerations

Biophysical Considerations § Age § Gender § Race/ethnicity § Genetic inheritance § Physiologic function § Physical and functional effects

Psychological Considerations § Stress § Depression § Anxiety § Bereavement § Psychological effects

Physical Environmental Considerations § Pollution § Physical safety hazards § Environmental justice § Environmental effects on physical function

Sociocultural Considerations § Poverty/unemployment § Social norms for unhealthful behavior § Culture § Lack of education § Legislation § Occupational factors § Social support § Social effects

Behavioral Considerations § Dietary patterns § Smoking § Drug and alcohol use/abuse § Exercise and leisure § Safety practices § Self-assessment behaviors

Health System Factors § Failure to education clients to prevent chronic health problems § Lack of screening services § Lack of access to care § Aggressiveness of treatment

Primary Prevention § Health promotion/illness prevention § Risk factor modification

Health Promotion/ Illness Prevention § Education for prevention and promotion § Political activity § Immunization

Risk Factor Modification § Smoking cessation § Weight control § Hypertension control § Use of safety precautions § Elimination of environmental pollutants

Secondary Prevention § Screening § Early diagnosis § Prompt treatment l Stabilization l Establishing a treatment regimen l Motivating compliance l Promoting self-management l Monitoring treatment effects

Tertiary Prevention § Preventing loss of function in affected systems § Preventing loss of function in unaffected systems § Restoring function § Monitoring health status § Promoting adjustment § End-of-life care