Determinants of Health

Learning Intention:Develop a greater

understanding of the determinants of health -

factors which influence our health.

Introduction Determinants of health are those factors which

influence our health.

Even in the richest countries, the better off live several years longer and have fewer illnesses than the poor. People’s lifestyles and the conditions in which they live and work strongly influence their health.

Medical care can prolong survival after some serious diseases, but it is the social and economic conditions that affect whether people become ill.

Activity 1: Recap from Level 2Brainstorm as many NZ determinants as you can think of.

Come and write your ideas up on the board.

The Determinants of Health in NZ:

Links between Determinants:

The determinants all link together to create a picture of overall good/poor health. Eg: Income relates to education, housing, the environment (area in which you live), type of work/ or whether you are employed – this relates to social support/isolation and so on.

WHO Determinants – the 4 main ones. Take notes on each:

Political determinants – who is in power affects health in several ways – type of governing (oppressed versus democratic), funding for social welfare, funding for health and education, laws and policies

Economic determinants – these include the global economy, financial markets and trade that can have a positive or negative effect on health

Environmental determinants – safe water and clean air, access to sport and recreation facilities, healthy workplaces, safe houses, communities and roads all contribute to good health.

Cultural determinants – spiritual beliefs, identity issues, philosophies, practices and values all relating to culture can contribute greatly to a person’s health.

Other ones to be aware of: Social determinants – these include the social and

psychological environments, early childhood environments and work conditions that can directly affect health and wellbeing. Everything from where a person is on the social gradient, if they have social support or are socially excluded, in employment or not, access to transport, their early life conditions, any addictions, access to healthy food and stress can have either a positive or negative impact on a person’s health.

Personal determinants – genetics, age or gender play a part in determining lifespan, healthiness and the likelihood of developing certain illnesses.

Lifestyle determinants – these include our personal behaviours and coping strategies, ie balanced eating, keeping active, smoking, drinking, and how we deal with life’s stresses and challenges all affect health.

Learner BookletsActivity 1: Personal Profiles

NB: You will have done something similar at Level 2:

Using your knowledge of the D.O.H, suggest the determinants that could be affecting the person in the scenario and explain how.

Do this for all 3 scenarios – at least half a page per scenario

Then think about your own life and the determinants that are or could affect you.

Activity 2:A Picture of Health – Social Determinants

Get into groups of around 4

You will receive a photo and you must answer the questions in your workbook for each picture.

Use the definitions on the board to help you think about what each picture is representing.

Activity 3:Factors affecting Well-being

Choose a Determinant – can be NZ or WHO.

Answer the questions in your workbook.

Activity 4:Whangaparaoa College and the D.O.H

Think about Whangaparaoa College and brainstorm what the school is like.

Now suggest the D.O.H that could be affecting the teachers and learners in the school. Think about both positive and negative factors.

Activity 5:Article Review

Choose any article you like that is about a group of people or recent issue in the news. You might like to choose an article focussing on cancer as that is the next topic we will study.

Answer the questions in your workbook.