Leading Causes of Death and Health Determinants

Leading Causes of Death

• Morbidity and mortality are diagnoses, and the progression of disease/injury is often generalized.
• The "actual causes of death" (2000 model) are identified as the causes of the leading causes of death, rather than the immediate diagnoses.
• Key factors include tobacco, poor diet, and physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, microbial agents, toxic agents, motor vehicles, firearms, sexual behavior, and illicit drug use.
• "Actual causes" are categorized as agents or environmental factors.
• Factors like toxic agents, microbial agents, and motor vehicles; motor vehicles, firearms, etc., are grouped and considered environmental/host/vector factors
• Determinants of health are categorized to show the complex interplay of behavioral, genetic, social, medical, and environmental factors.

Determinants of Health

• Behavioral choices account for 40% of health determinants.
• Genetic factors contribute 30%.
• Social factors represent 15%.
• Medical care contributes 10%.
• Environmental exposures account for 5%.

Health Outcome Factors - Behavior

• Behavior significantly impacts health outcomes.
• Diet, exercise, sleep patterns, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are crucial for improving health.
• These behavioral aspects are influenced by individual factors, including stress levels.

Ecological Model of Health Behavior

• The model emphasizes interconnected factors influencing behavior.
• Intrapersonal factors include knowledge, attitudes, self-concept, and development.
• Interpersonal processes involve primary groups (family, social networks).
• Institutional factors encompass social institutions, organizational characteristics, and rules.
• Community factors involve community relationships and organizing factors.
• Public policy at the societal level encompasses laws and regulations.

Factors Influencing Behavior (Interpersonal and Societal)

• Interpersonal: Friends, family, income, job preferences, motivation/energy, dietary restrictions, allergies, and mental health.
• Institutional: Stressors (school, workplace, gym), workplace policies supporting exercise, vending machines, community, neighborhood concerns, supermarkets, parks/gyms, transportation.
• Societal: Media (TV), norms, culture, laws, taxes, and policies.
• These factors influence how individuals make decisions regarding health behaviors.
• Both the environment and the host (individual) influence behavior.

This quiz explores the leading causes of death and the determinants of health, highlighting the impact of behavioral choices, genetic factors, and environmental influences. Understand how these elements interplay to affect morbidity and mortality rates in populations.