Health and Wellness Overview

Study Notes

Health and Wellness

Healthy People 2030 is a national objective that promotes a society in which all people live long, healthy lives.
It identifies leading health indicators, which are high-priority health issues in the United States.

Definition of Health

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 1947, 2018).
It is a state of being that people define in relation to their own values, personality, and lifestyle.

Models of Health and Illness

Health beliefs are a person's ideas, convictions, and attitudes about health and illness, which can influence health positively or negatively.
Models help explain complex concepts or ideas, such as health and illness.
Examples of models include:
- Health Belief Model
- Health Promotion Model
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
- Holistic Health Model

Variables Influencing Health and Health Beliefs and Practices

Internal variables include:
- Developmental stage
- Intellectual background
- Perception of functioning
- Emotional factors
- Spiritual factors
External variables include:
- Family role and practices
- Social determinants of health
- Culture

Health Promotion, Wellness, and Illness Prevention

Health promotion helps individuals maintain or enhance their present health.
Health education helps people develop a greater understanding of their health and how to better manage their health risks.
Illness prevention protects people from actual or potential threats to health.

Three Levels of Prevention

Primary prevention reduces the incidence of disease.
Secondary prevention focuses on preventing the spread of disease, illness, or infection once it occurs.
Tertiary prevention occurs when a defect or disability is permanent or irreversible.

Risk Factors

Risk factors are any attribute, quality, environmental situation, or trait that increases the vulnerability of an individual or group to an illness or accident.
Examples of risk factors include:
- Nonmodifiable risk factors
- Modifiable risk factors
- Environment

Risk Factor Identification and Changing Health Behaviors

Identify risk factors through assessment, health risk appraisal forms, and education and counseling.
Implement wellness strategies and understand the stages of change using the Transtheoretical Model of Change.

Illness

Illness is a state in which a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, developmental, or spiritual functioning is diminished or impaired.
Acute illness is a short-duration and severe illness, while chronic illness lasts longer than 6 months and affects functioning.
Illness behavior involves how people monitor their bodies and define and interpret their symptoms.
Variables influencing illness and illness behavior include internal and external variables.

Impact of Illness

Illness can have a significant impact on the patient and family, including:
- Behavioral and emotional changes
- Impact on body image
- Impact on self-concept
- Impact on family roles
- Impact on family dynamics

Caring for Yourself

Self-care strategies include:
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Getting adequate sleep
- Engaging in exercise and relaxation activities
- Establishing a good work-family balance
- Engaging in regular nonwork activities
- Developing coping skills
- Allowing personal time for grieving
- Focusing on spiritual health
- Finding a mentor

Description

Understand the concept of health and wellness, including Healthy People 2030 and the World Health Organization's definition of health. Explore the importance of physical, mental, and social well-being.