WHO definition of health
“A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity”.
Concept of health
a) Biomedical concept
b) Ecological concept
c) Psychosocial concept
d) Holistic concept
Biomedical Concept (Health has been viewed as an “absence of
disease”, and if one was free from disease the person was considered
healthy)
Ecological
concept: According to ecologists: Health is a dynamic equilibrium between
man and his environment, and Disease is a maladjustment of the human organism
to environment.
Psychosocial Concept (Health is both a biological and social
phenomenon) Psychosocial concept: Health is not only a biomedical phenomenon,
but one which is influenced by
- social,
- psychological,
- cultural,
- economic and
- Political factors of the people concerned.
Holistic concept: It recognizes the strength of social, economic, political and environmental influences on health. Implies that all sectors of society have an effect on health * Ancient view: Sound mind, in a sound body, in a sound family, in sound environment. Emphasis is on promotion and protection of health.
Determinants of Health
1- Human biology
Genetic inheritance Age, Race nd Sex
2- Environmental factors
Environmental factors
that could influence health include:
- Life support, food, water, air etc
- Physical factors such as climate, physical
environment.
- Biological factors: microorganisms, toxins, Biological
waste, ecosystem.
- Psycho-social and economic e.g. Crowding, income
level.
- Chemical factors: industrial wastes, agricultural
wastes, air pollution, etc
3- Life style
(Behavior)
o is an action that has
a specific frequency, duration, and purpose, whether conscious or unconscious.
It is associated with practice. It is what we do and how we act.
o Life style of
individuals affects their health directly or indirectly.
o Diet, Physical activity, Alcohol, cigarette, and other drug use, Hand washing.
4- Socio-economic
factors
Socio-economic
conditions have long been known to influence human health. For the majority of
the world's people, health status is determined primarily by their level of
socio-economic development, e.g., per capita GNP, education, nutrition,
employment, housing, the political system of the country, etc.
5- Health care system
· Health care system in terms of their resource in human power,
equipment's, money and so on determine the health of people.
· It is concerned with:
· Availability of health service
· Acceptability of the service by the community
· Accessibility
· Quality of care
Health indicators
§ Health status indicators measure different aspects of the health
of a population. Examples include life expectancy, infant mortality, maternal
mortality, disability or chronic disease rates.
§ Health determinant indicators measure things that influence
health. Examples include diet, smoking, water quality, income and access to
health services.
§ Indicators are expressed in terms of ratio, rates, proportions,
averages, categorical variables or absolute numbers.
Classification of
indicators
¨ Mortality indicators
¨ Morbidity indicators
¨ Disability indicators
¨ Nutritional status indicators
¨ Health care delivery indicators
¨ Utilization rates
¨ Social and mental health indicators
¨ Environmental indicators
¨ Socioeconomic indicators
¨ Health policy indicators
¨ Indicators of quality of life
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