Determinants of Health Overview

Factors influencing health, partly determined by genes at conception. Genetic makeup, including chromosomal anomalies, metabolic errors, and certain diseases, affect health.

The individual's genetic makeup inherited at birth, influencing health predispositions and potential diseases.

External factors influencing health; can positively or negatively impact health. Environmental factors interact with genetic factors to determine overall health.

A person's way of life, encompassing habits, social values, and activities. Lifestyle influences overall health.

Social and cultural factors impacting health. These conditions shape behaviours and habits that influence well-being.

Methods used to identify genetic conditions or predispositions.

Techniques aiming to correct or modify genes to treat diseases.

Full expression of genetic potential in a healthy environment. Health is about maximizing capabilities.

Examples of healthy lifestyle factors include adequate nutrition, enough sleep, sufficient physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

A strong economy helps improve health by reducing illness, increasing lifespan, and enhancing quality of life.

The internal environment refers to the body's internal systems, including tissues, organs, and organ systems, and their harmonious functioning. It's the realm of internal medicine.

Education, particularly for women, positively impacts health outcomes by reducing poverty, malnutrition, and infant mortality.

The external environment encompasses all factors outside of the human host that can affect health, including physical, biological, and psychosocial components.

Having a job promotes health by providing income and a sense of purpose, while unemployment can lead to poor health.

The micro-environment or domestic environment refers to the individual's personal environment, including their way of living, lifestyle, and habits like eating, smoking, and drug use.

The effectiveness of healthcare policy can be influenced by a country's political system, affecting health access and outcomes.

Factors like income, education, and employment significantly affect health outcomes. These factors shape access to healthcare and opportunities for well-being.

Environmental factors, ranging from housing and water supply to social support systems, can directly affect physical, mental, and social well-being.

While economic progress generally leads to better health, affluence can also contribute to health issues like heart disease and obesity.

Hippocrates recognized the link between disease and the environment, including climate, water, and air. While Pettenkofer revived this concept, emphasizing the association between disease and environmental factors.

Modern health issues, especially in developed countries, like heart disease, obesity, lung cancer, and drug addiction, are often linked to lifestyle changes.

Political factors often pose more significant obstacles to implementing healthcare improvements than technical challenges.

Environmental, biological, and psychological factors are interconnected and influence each other. These factors collectively determine health.

Adopting healthy lifestyles is crucial for achieving optimal health. Health is both a result of individual lifestyle choices and a factor that shapes them.

The political system can shape community health services by making decisions about things like manpower, resource allocation, technology, and access to care.

Political commitment should prioritize social development, not just economic growth, to improve health outcomes.

Health and family welfare services cover a broad range of services for treatment, prevention of illness, and health promotion.

The main goal of health services is to improve the overall health status of the population.

Immunizing children can reduce the number of new and existing cases of specific diseases.

Providing clean water can prevent deaths and illnesses caused by waterborne diseases.

Caring for pregnant women and children can significantly reduce maternal and child mortality and illnesses.

Effective healthcare should be accessible to all, affordable, and socially acceptable. These aspects are crucial for primary health care.