Health Definitions and Concepts

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of health?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

What is the definition of diversity?

Diversity is the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.

What is the definition of inclusion?

Inclusion is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.

Define health disparities.

Health disparities are differences in health quality and access to health care between populations. Signup and view all the answers

What are health inequalities?

Health inequalities are the systematic, avoidable, and unfair differences in health outcomes that can be observed between populations, between social groups within the same population or as a gradient across a population ranked by social position. Signup and view all the answers

What is health equity?

Health equity is the idea that everyone should have a fair chance to achieve the best possible health, regardless of their individual circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of social justice?

Social justice is the idea that everyone should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment, regardless of their: race, economic status, sexuality, gender identity, physical traits, beliefs, and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between health disparities, health equity, and social justice.

Health disparities represent the unequal distribution of health outcomes across different populations, while health equity aims to achieve fairness in health by addressing the root causes of these disparities, essentially aligning with the concept of social justice in the healthcare realm; meaning that achieving health equity requires actively working towards social justice to ensure everyone has equal access to good health, regardless of their social circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between the concepts of equality, equity, and justice. Choose the best definition of each.

Equality means providing the same thing to everyone; equity means giving people what they need to succeed; justice means actively changing systems to ensure fairness for all. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How is health not treated as a fundamental human right in the United States?

In the United States, health is not considered a fundamental human right because access to healthcare is largely dependent on one's ability to pay, meaning individuals without sufficient income may not receive necessary medical treatment, unlike in many other developed nations where healthcare is considered a universal right and is guaranteed to all citizens regardless of their financial situation; this results in disparities in healthcare access based on socioeconomic status, making it a matter of privilege rather than a guaranteed right. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the evolution of the term health disparity.

The term "health disparity" was coined in the United States in the early 1990s. It was originally used to describe the worse health outcomes of socially disadvantaged people, particularly those from disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups. Before 2010, federal agencies defined health disparities in general terms as differences in health between different population groups. The NIH's definition of health disparities focuses on differences in health outcomes for disadvantaged populations compared to a White reference population. Signup and view all the answers

Is sickle cell disease considered a simple inequality or a health disparity?

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How have historical factors contributed to health disparities and lower trust between marginalized groups and the healthcare field?

Historical factors such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the experiments of Dr. J. Marion Sims on enslaved women have contributed to health disparities and mistrust between marginalized groups and the healthcare field: This government study withheld treatment for syphilis from Black people in the South, which continues to impact trust in the healthcare system. Mistrust from this study has made it harder to fight AIDS in some Black communities. Signup and view all the answers

How has the Healthy People program evolved regarding health-equity related goals?

The Healthy People program has significantly evolved over time by increasingly prioritizing health equity as a central focus, moving from simply acknowledging health disparities to actively addressing the social determinants of health and systemic inequities that contribute to them, with the most recent iteration, Healthy People 2030, placing a strong emphasis on eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity for all populations through strategies like promoting health literacy and tackling structural barriers to health access. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of a community?

A community is characterized by a sense of belonging among its members, which is built upon shared values and norms, a common symbol system, mutual influence between individuals, shared needs and a commitment to addressing them, and a sense of shared emotional connection, creating a feeling of belonging within the group. -Membership: A defined group of individuals who identify with the community and feel a sense of belonging, often based on shared characteristics like geography, interests, or values. -Common Symbol System: Shared symbols, language, or practices that serve as recognizable markers of community identity and help maintain group boundaries. -Shared Values and Norms: A set of beliefs and expectations about behavior that are widely accepted and followed by community members, guiding their interactions. -Mutual Influence: The ability of individuals within the community to affect each other's thoughts, behaviors, and decisions through interaction and shared experiences. -Shared Needs and Commitment to Meeting Them: A collective understanding of common challenges or goals, with a commitment from members to work together to address them. -Shared Emotional Connection: A sense of belonging and connection to other community members, often fostered through shared experiences, positive interactions, and a feeling of solidarity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a ZIP Code in public health?

In public health, a ZIP code serves as a crucial tool to identify geographic areas and analyze health disparities within communities, allowing researchers and practitioners to understand how factors like access to healthcare, quality of housing, and environmental conditions within a specific region influence the health outcomes of its residents, essentially acting as a marker for the social determinants of health within a given area; essentially, "your zip code can be a very accurate predictor of your health.". Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to examine lived experience and qualitative data?

Examining lived experience and qualitative data is crucial because it allows researchers to gain a deep, nuanced understanding of people's perspectives, thoughts, and feelings regarding a topic, providing rich insights that cannot be captured through quantitative data alone, particularly when exploring complex social phenomena and human behavior in context; essentially, it enables researchers to "walk in another person's shoes" and understand the world from their unique viewpoint. Signup and view all the answers

What are the intersections between ZIP Codes, Community, & Health?

A person's zip code can affect their health in many ways, including: -Access to resources: A person's zip code can affect their access to healthy food, clean air, affordable housing, reliable transportation, and accessible childcare. -Social determinants of health: A person's zip code can affect their social and economic factors, such as education, employment, income, and community safety. -Clinical care: A person's zip code can affect their access to care and the quality of care they receive. -Health behaviors: A person's zip code can affect their health behaviors, such as tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol and drug use, and sexual activity. -Economic prosperity: A person's zip code can affect their personal and family's economic prosperity based on the availability of jobs, unemployment rates, education, and training opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

How are lived experiences linked to ZIP Codes?

Where you live may affect your chances of living a long, health life. Different neighborhoods may have different access to stable housing, quality schools, good jobs, and affordable healthcare. Medical history is important, but much of health begins at home, in one's community, or zip code. Signup and view all the answers

How can critical race theory be applied to housing and landownership?

Critical Race Theory (CRT) can be applied to housing and land ownership by analyzing how systemic racism, embedded within policies, practices, and institutions, perpetuates racial disparities in access to quality housing and property ownership, creating unequal outcomes for people of color compared to white individuals, often stemming from historical practices like redlining and discriminatory zoning laws; essentially highlighting how racism is not just individual prejudice but deeply ingrained in the housing market itself. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept that describes the tension or discomfort that occurs when a person's beliefs or actions conflict with each other: -Explanation: Cognitive dissonance is a result of the natural human desire for harmony between thoughts, values, and actions. When this harmony is disrupted, people experience mental unease and emotional discomfort. -Theory: Cognitive dissonance theory, developed by Festinger in 1957, states that people are motivated to reduce dissonance by changing their attitudes or behaviors. -Examples: Some examples of cognitive dissonance include: -Believing that smoking is bad for your health but continuing to smoke -Feeling uncomfortable about lying because you consider yourself an honest person. Signup and view all the answers

Define fictive kinship.

"Fictive kinship" refers to a social relationship where individuals who are not related by blood or marriage nonetheless consider themselves as family, treating each other with the same level of closeness, responsibility, and obligation as biological relatives; essentially, it's the idea of "choosing your family" based on strong personal bonds rather than legal ties. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a concept that examines how various social identities, like race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability, overlap and intersect, creating unique experiences of oppression and privilege for individuals, where the combined effect of multiple identities can be greater than the sum of its parts; essentially, it highlights how different forms of discrimination can reinforce each other, rather than existing independently. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concepts of Ubuntu and the Sankofa Bird.

Sankofa Bird - go back to the past and bring forward that which is useful. Past experiences, past mentors, past influences. Reflect on past and how that is influencing your future. Being an inclusive leader will require us to reflect back on our past and understand our values and biases. Ubuntu- highlights the idea of being a diverse leader and creating spaces where people can be their authentic selves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of racism?

Racism is prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. Signup and view all the answers

What is intrapersonal/internalized racism?

Internalized racism is when a person believes negative messages about their own, and other's cultures and races. Signup and view all the answers

Define interpersonal racism.

Interpersonal racism occurs during interactions between individual and can include, making negative comments about a particular ethnic group in person or online, calling others racist names, and bullying, hassling or intimidating others because of their race. Signup and view all the answers

What is institutional/structural racism?

Institutional racism, also known as systemic racism, is a form of discrimination based on race or ethnicity that is embedded in the policies and practices of a society or organization. It can result in unfair treatment and advantage for some people. Signup and view all the answers

Define racial prejudice.

Racism is a form of prejudice that generally includes negative emotional reactions to members of a group, acceptance of negative stereotypes, and racial discrimination against individuals; in some cases it can lead to violence. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural prejudice?

Cultural prejudice is a negative attitude or feeling towards someone based on their perceived membership in a particular cultural group. Signup and view all the answers

What is an implicit/unconscious bias?

Implicit bias includes the subconscious feelings, attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes an individual has developed due to prior influences and imprints throughout their lives. Individuals are unaware that subconscious perceptions, instead of facts and observations, affect their decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say that racism is "multidimensional and systematic"?

when racism is described as "multidimensional and systematic," it highlights that racism operates on various levels (individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural) and is embedded in the fabric of society, maintaining racial inequalities over time. It's not just a matter of personal attitudes or individual actions but is perpetuated by broader systems and institutions that uphold racial disparities. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why race is a social construct.

"Race is a social construct" means that the concept of race, as we understand it, is not based on any inherent biological reality but is instead created and defined by social norms, cultural understandings, and power dynamics within a society, often using physical characteristics like skin color as the primary marker for categorization, which then leads to the creation of racial hierarchies and systems of privilege and oppression; essentially, the idea of "race" is constructed by people and not a fixed biological fact. Signup and view all the answers

How does experience with racism and perceived racism impact mental health and physical health in African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos/Latinas, Arab Americans, and Native Americans?

Racism and perceived racism affect people's health by increasing stress, which in turn contributes to both mental and physical health problems. The effects are felt across generations, and they can shape the overall well-being of individuals and entire communities. While each group experiences racism in distinct ways, common outcomes include chronic stress, poorer mental health, higher rates of physical illness, and disparities in access to quality healthcare. Social and structural factors, such as lack of access to culturally competent healthcare, economic inequality, and historical trauma, exacerbate these health disparities. Addressing these issues requires systemic changes, including improving healthcare access, promoting mental health care, addressing the root causes of discrimination, and fostering cultural competence in medical and psychological services. Signup and view all the answers

How are racism, stress, and health linked?

Racism-related stress can have a significant impact on health, affecting both mental and physical health: -Mental health: Racism can cause depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, fear, and low self-esteem. It can also lead to changes in behavior and routine. -Physical health: Racism can cause hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory complications, and digestive issues. It can also lead to premature aging and organ damage. -Other health outcomes: Racism can also lead to health behaviors such as eating disorders, substance abuse, and violence. -Social well-being: Racism can affect a person's ability to trust and interact with others. -Functional well-being: Racism can affect a person's academic and financial achievement. -Spiritual well-being: Racism can affect a person's faith in higher powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the phenomenon of "John Henryism"?

John Henryism is a coping mechanism that involves working harder to manage prolonged exposure to social stressors, such as discrimination. The John Henryism hypothesis suggests that this coping mechanism can lead to negative health outcomes, such as: Cardiovascular disease, Heart attacks, High blood pressure, and Increased risk for people who are infected with the virus. The hypothesis also suggests that these negative effects can accumulate over time and affect a person's health and the institution they work in. The John Henryism construct is made up of three themes: mental and physical strength, commitment to hard work, and single-minded determination to succeed. Signup and view all the answers

How do residential segregation, immigration policy, and health care inequities impact the health of marginalized communities?

Residential segregation, restrictive immigration policies, and healthcare inequities significantly harm the health of marginalized communities by limiting access to quality healthcare, concentrating poverty in certain areas, creating barriers to care due to language and legal status, and exacerbating stress levels from discrimination, leading to poorer overall health outcomes compared to non-marginalized populations. Signup and view all the answers

What is Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS)?

Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS) refers to the psychological and emotional distress experienced by individuals, particularly people of color, as a result of exposure to racism, discrimination, and racial bias, often causing responses similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the traumatic nature of these encounters; essentially, it's the mental and emotional injury caused by experiencing racism on a personal level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of empathy in addressing the impact of racial trauma on mental health?

Empathy plays a crucial role in addressing the impact of racial trauma on mental health by allowing individuals to deeply understand and connect with the experiences of others who have faced racism, creating a safe space for sharing and healing, and encouraging supportive actions that can facilitate the process of recovery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between individual discrimination and structural discrimination?

Individual discrimination is when a person acts in a prejudiced way, while structural discrimination is when policies or systems have a negative impact on a group of people. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between everyday discrimination and major discriminatory events.

The main difference between everyday discrimination and major discriminatory events is the frequency and severity of the discriminatory experiences. Everyday discrimination: Also called "chronic daily hassles" or "day-to-day experiences", these are consistent, but less overt forms of unfair treatment that happen in everyday social interactions. Examples include being treated with less respect, receiving poor service, or being perceived as dishonest. Major discriminatory events: These are acute discriminatory experiences that can severely impact socioeconomic well-being. Examples include being unfairly fired from a job or stopped by the police. Signup and view all the answers

What is residential segregation and what are its impacts?

Residential segregation is the separation of different social groups within a geographic area based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, income, or religion. It can impact individuals and communities in many ways, including: -Health: Segregation can lead to racial disparities in health by creating conditions that are harmful to health. For example, segregated neighborhoods may have fewer options for healthy food and more options for alcohol. They may also have fewer quality health centers and more exposure to environmental toxins. -Education: Segregation can impact access to education and employment opportunities, which can lead to lower incomes and educational attainment. -Justice system involvement: Segregation can lead to higher rates of arrest and incarceration, and more disproportionate rates of involvement in the justice system. -Home values: Black-owned units are generally worth less than similar White-owned units. Black and Hispanic mortgage holders are also more likely to pay higher interest rates. Signup and view all the answers

What are the impacts of discrimination based on race, gender, sexual identity, disability, and age?

Discrimination based on race, gender, sexual identity, disability, and age has far-reaching effects on both mental and physical health, contributing to disparities in well-being and healthcare access. These forms of discrimination generate chronic stress, lower self-esteem, and increase the risk of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Discrimination also contributes to physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, healthcare access barriers, and increased risk of injury. Signup and view all the answers

How can the concept of intersectionality be applied to discrimination?

Intersectionality is the idea that oppression is linked and that people can experience multiple forms of discrimination at once. For example, a young Roma woman might experience discrimination in the labor market because she is Roma, a woman, perceived to be dangerous, and inexperienced. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5 categories of the social determinants of health and provide examples of experiences/resources that would fall within each category.

The five categories of social determinants of health are: Economic Stability, Education Access and Quality, Healthcare Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, and Social and Community Context; with examples including income level, educational attainment, health insurance coverage, quality of housing, and community support networks respectively. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Social Ecological Model/Approach.

The social ecological model, also called the socio-ecological model, is a framework that examines how individual health behaviors are influenced by multiple levels of their environment, including personal factors, interpersonal relationships, community dynamics, organizational structures, and public policies, highlighting the interconnectedness between these levels and how they interact to shape health outcomes; essentially, it views individuals as not isolated but embedded within various social and environmental contexts that influence their choices and behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key elements of the REACH program?

REACH aims to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk, or burden, of chronic disease. Signup and view all the answers

How can REACH strategies be applied at each level of the Social Ecological Model?

When applying REACH strategies (which stands for "Recognize, Educate, Advocate, Champion, and Help") across the Social Ecological Model, you can focus on raising awareness, providing education, advocating for policy changes, championing initiatives at each level, and actively supporting individuals to enact positive changes. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of intersectionality and its importance to addressing social justice and public health issues.

Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes how multiple social identities, like race, gender, class, and sexual orientation, overlap and intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege, making it crucial for addressing social justice and public health issues by highlighting the complex ways systems of oppression can impact individuals based on their intersecting identities, rather than examining each factor in isolation; essentially, it emphasizes that people can face compounded disadvantages due to their multiple marginalized identities. Signup and view all the answers

How can intersectionality theory be used to examine outcomes related to African American women and police violence?

We analyze intersectionality as a framework for understanding racial and gender determinants of police brutality, arguing that public health research and policy must consider how complex intersections of these determinants and their contextual specificities shape the impact of police brutality on the health of racially minoritized women. Signup and view all the answers

What is the "urgency of intersectionality"?

Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the term "intersectionality" to describe this phenomenon; as she says, if you're standing in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you're likely to get hit by both. In this moving talk, she calls on us to bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice. Signup and view all the answers

What is Minority Stress Theory?

Minority stress theory is a framework that explains the high levels of stress experienced by members of marginalized groups. It suggests that this stress can lead to negative mental and physical health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

Define and provide examples of distal stressors, proximal stressors, identity concealment, resilience, and coping strategies.

-Distal stressors: External, societal-level factors that create stress for marginalized groups, like discrimination, prejudice, harassment, and negative stereotypes experienced due to one's identity; example: A transgender person being denied employment due to their gender identity on a job application. -Proximal stressors: Internalized psychological processes resulting from distal stressors, including self-doubt, expectations of rejection, and the constant need to monitor one's behavior to avoid stigma; example: A gay man feeling anxious about disclosing his sexuality to new acquaintances due to fear of negative reactions. -Identity concealment: The act of actively hiding or downplaying a significant aspect of one's identity to avoid negative consequences; example: A lesbian woman choosing not to mention her partner when introducing herself to colleagues at work. -Resilience: The ability to adapt and bounce back from challenging or traumatic experiences, often involving positive coping mechanisms and a strong sense of self. -Coping strategies: Behavioral and cognitive actions individuals use to manage stress, including problem-solving, social support, relaxation techniques, and positive self-talk; example: A person facing discrimination at work might utilize a coping strategy of seeking support from a trusted colleague or joining a support group for individuals with similar experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Describe and apply Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that suggests humans are motivated by a hierarchy of needs, starting with basic physiological requirements like food and water, progressing to safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally reaching self-actualization, where individuals strive to fulfill their full potential; essentially, lower-level needs must be met before individuals can focus on higher-level needs. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the link between motivation and behavior.

Motivation is the driving force behind behavior, essentially acting as the "why" behind our actions; it initiates, guides, and sustains goal-oriented behaviors by influencing our choices and level of effort towards achieving a desired outcome, meaning that our motivation directly impacts what behaviors we choose to perform and how intensely we pursue them. Signup and view all the answers

What is health literacy?

Health literacy is the ability to access, understand, and use information and services to promote and maintain good health. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary care?

Primary care is healthcare at a basic rather than specialized level for people making an initial approach to a doctor or nurse for treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Define discrimination.

Discrimination is the act of treating people differently, usually in a negative way, based on their perceived or actual membership in a group or category. It can involve denying people opportunities or privileges that are available to others. Signup and view all the answers

What is social cohesion?

Social cohesion is the strength of the bonds between members of a social group and the group as a whole. It's also known as group cohesiveness or social harmony. Signup and view all the answers

What is social capital?

the networks and relationships among people who live and work in a particular society. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity.

Diversity

The practice of including people from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, etc.