Dimensions of Health

• Health has many dimensions that intertwine and affect an individual's circumstances.
• The dimensions of health include physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental aspects.

Physical Health

• Recovering from an injury can prevent individuals from engaging in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
• This can affect other dimensions of health.

Mental Health

• Lack of physical activity can reduce endorphin production, which leads to increased anxiety, depression, and low energy.
• Harvard Medical School has found that depression increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Social Health

• Reduced physical activity can affect interactions with others, impacting emotional and mental health.
• A rise in mental health illnesses may occur.

Emotional Health

• Lack of endorphins due to inactivity can lead to negative emotions such as frustration, sadness, and anger, diminishing motivation.

Spiritual Health

• Physical activity is sometimes useful as a mindfulness activity that can impact a sense of meaning.
• A lack of physical activity might make one feel worthless as one is not feeling a part of their purpose, club, or activity group.
• This leads to a weaker sense of connection and inner peace.

Role of Epidemiology in Australia's Health Status

• Epidemiology studies the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease within a population.
• This provides essential data on mortality, morbidity, life expectancy, and other health indicators.
• Epidemiology allows policymakers and healthcare providers to identify priority health issues.
• Studies show that Indigenous Australians experience higher rates of chronic diseases and lower life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians.
• Epidemiology often focuses on quantifiable aspects of health, potentially overlooking qualitative factors like emotional well-being and quality of life.
• The prevalence of insufficient physical activity (less than 150 minutes a week) increases with age.
• Epidemiology considers factors such as who, when, and where to understand influences on health outcomes.
• It monitors health trends and outbreaks, identifies risks, and supports health education efforts, focusing on groups rather than individuals.

Social Justice Principles

• Social justice principles—equity, access, participation, and rights—promote health by ensuring fair opportunities for optimal well-being.

Participation

• Allows all to participate in having a say about their health.
• Indigenous communities are increasingly involved in co-designing healthcare programs that respect their cultural values and meet their specific needs.

Access

• Ensures everyone has access to healthcare, education, housing, employment, etc.
• Telehealth services have become more available, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, making healthcare more accessible for isolated communities.

Rights

• Ensures everyone knows and utilizes their rights.
• The Medicare system guarantees all Australian citizens and permanent residents access to free or subsidized medical services.

Equity

• Recognizes everyone has different needs and provides the resources required to meet them.
• The NDIS ensures that individuals with disabilities receive the tailored support they need in accessing healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Health Determinants

• Health determinants, including socioeconomic, environmental, broad features of society, behavioural, and biomedical factors, significantly influence the health and well-being of Australians.

Biomedical Factors

• Biomedical factors like genetics and age can influence health.
• Australians with a family history of cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of developing heart-related issues.

Broad Features of Society

• Culture, media, and political structures influence health.
• Medicare, ensures that all Australian citizens and permanent residents have access to subsidized or free healthcare services, whereas Americans have to pay a lot for healthcare.

Socioeconomic Factors

• Lower-income individuals often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing.
• Limited access to affordable and nutritious food leads to higher consumption of cheap, processed foods.
• This contributes to higher rates of obesity and chronic conditions.

Environmental Factors

• Environmental factors are things present in the environment.
• During the 2019-2020 bushfire season, many rural communities experienced respiratory issues due to prolonged exposure to smoke.

Health Behaviors

• Life choices and environment play a role in health values and practices.
• If parents smoke, children are more likely to smoke.