Health and Disease Lecture Notes PDF

HEALTH AND DISEASE HEALTH An ideal state of physical and mental well being ,something to strive for but never to attain. Good health is a prerequisite of human productive and developmental process. In 1948, the world health organization (WHO) defines health as, “A state of complete physical,...

HEALTH AND DISEASE HEALTH An ideal state of physical and mental well being ,something to strive for but never to attain. Good health is a prerequisite of human productive and developmental process. In 1948, the world health organization (WHO) defines health as, “A state of complete physical, mental, social, spiritual wellbeing and not merely absence of disease. ILLNESS Disease is an objective term referring to diagnosable abnormalities in organs, body systems or physiology. Illness is a subjective term referring to an individual’s experience of mental and physical sensations or states, and may not necessarily indicate the presence of disease. DEVIANCE Deviance is any behavior, belief or condition that violates significant social norms in the society or group in which it occur. We are most familiar with behavioral deviance, based on a person’s intentional or inadvertent. For example, a person may engage in intentional deviance by drinking too much or robbing a bank, or inadvertent deviance by loosing money in casino or laughing at a funeral. HEALTH AND DISEASE AS DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR There are two general ways that persons who are ill can become deviants. If the impairments become permanent; the person is forced to left his normal social position and act within the limitations of his impairment. The impairment becomes a disability when the individual is perceived as being permanently unable to fulfill the institutionalized expectations. Once such permanent physical alterations take place, the person’s self-concept is altered so that he realizes no viable alternative but to become a socially disabled person as defined. For example, women who face hysterectomies or mastectomies become concerned with how they will be viewed by their significant others, particularly if they are married. The second determinant is stigma, a concept which has Greek origins. In Ancient Greece, which emphasized classical beauty, if a person had a physical disfigurement, that such a person had fallen into disfavor with the gods and was stigmatized. SOCIO-CULTURAL CAUSES OF DISEASE Hereditary Environment Lifestyle Socio-economic conditions Health services Education Income Housing HEREDITY A number of diseases are known to be of genetic origin, e.g. – epilepsy, mental retardation, diabetes, cancers etc. Genetic factors are also responsible for certain abnormal types of responses to drugs or different metabolic patterns. ENVIRONMENT Environment directly influences the physical, mental and social well-being of the human population. The environmental factors range from housing, water supply, air, noise, psychological stress and family structure through social and economic support system to the organization of health and social welfare services in the community LIFESTYLE Lifestyle denotes the way that people live, reflecting social values, attitudes and activities. It consists of cultural and behavioral patterns and life-long personal habits like smoking and alcoholism. Many health problems encountered today such as coronary heart disease, obesity, lung cancer etc. are associated with life style SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS Economic status: Economic status determines the purchasing power, standard of living, quality of life, family size and attention towards health care. Education: Education greatly influences the healthcare status. Illiteracy closely coincides with poverty. Occupation: Suitable employment in productive work promotes health. Job satisfaction is an important factor contributing to mental health and well being. HEALTH SERVICES The purpose of effective health services is to improve the health status of the population. Example: Provision of safe water and healthy environment etc. EDUCATION Education gives us the tools you need to make good decisions about your health. People with more education are more likely to live longer. Education also tends to lead to higher-paying jobs. These often come with benefits, such as health insurance, healthier working conditions, and the opportunity to make connections with other people. All of these things add up to better health. INCOME The amount of money you make has an effect on your health. People with higher incomes tend to be healthier and live longer than people with low incomes. HOUSING Housing can contribute to your health when it provides you with a safe place to be. Neighborhood conditions are an important part of housing, and can also affect your health. A neighborhood that is free from violence, crime, and pollution gives children and adults a safe place for physical activity. A home that is close to grocery stores makes it easier for families to buy and eat healthy foods THE END