Health, Wellness, and Health Disparities

Concepts of Health and Wellness

Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Wellness refers to an active process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. The perception of health is influenced by individual values, beliefs, family, culture, community, and society.

• Health: Complete well-being in physical, mental, and social domains.

• Wellness: Active pursuit of good health through lifestyle choices.

• Morbidity: Frequency of disease occurrence in a population.

• Mortality: Number of deaths resulting from a disease.

• Influences: Family, culture, community, and society shape health perceptions.

Definitions of Health States

Health states are categorized based on the presence or absence of disease and the individual's response to illness.

• Disease: Pathological changes in body or mind structure/function.

• Illness: Unique response to disease, resulting in altered functioning.

• Wellness: Lifestyle promoting physical, mental, and emotional health.

Classifications of Illness

Illnesses are classified as acute or chronic based on their onset, duration, and impact.

• Acute Illness: Rapid onset, short duration. Examples: Appendicitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, common cold.

• Chronic Illness: Slow onset, long duration, often permanent changes. Examples: Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis.

Stages of Illness Behavior

Individuals progress through stages when experiencing illness, reflecting their response and adaptation.

1. Stage 1: Experiencing symptoms

2. Stage 2: Assuming the sick role

3. Stage 3: Assuming a dependent role

4. Stage 4: Achieving recovery and rehabilitation

Disparities in Health Care

Health disparities are differences in health outcomes closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantages. Health equity is the goal of achieving the highest level of health for all people.

• Health equity: Highest attainable health for all.

• Health disparity: Differences in health linked to disadvantage.

• Social determinants of health: Environmental conditions affecting health, functioning, and quality of life.

• Influencing factors: Race, ethnicity, poverty, sex, age, mental health, education, disability, sexual orientation, insurance, access to care.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are essential for reducing health disparities and promoting health for all populations.

• Diversity: Welcoming individuals of different backgrounds.

• Inclusion: Ensuring everyone feels purpose and belonging.

• Equity: Providing access to conditions needed to thrive.

• Institutional/structural racism: Systemic barriers to health.

• Unconscious/implicit bias: Unintentional prejudices affecting care.

• Vulnerable populations: Groups at higher risk for health disparities.

Factors Affecting Health and Illness

Basic Human Needs and Human Dimensions

Health and illness are influenced by the fulfillment of basic human needs and multiple dimensions of the individual.

• Basic human needs: Essential requirements for health (e.g., food, water, shelter).

• Human dimensions: Physical, emotional, intellectual, environmental, sociocultural, spiritual aspects.

• Self-concept: Individual's perception of self, affecting health behaviors.

• Risk factors: Variables increasing likelihood of illness or injury.

The Human Dimensions Affecting Health

Health is shaped by six major dimensions, each contributing to overall well-being.

• Physical: Genetic inheritance, age, developmental level, race, gender.

• Emotional: Mind-body interactions, response to conditions.

• Intellectual: Cognitive abilities, education, experience.

• Environmental: Housing, sanitation, climate, pollution.

• Sociocultural: Economic level, lifestyle, family, culture.

• Spiritual: Beliefs and values.

Risk Factors for Illness & Injury

Risk factors are classified as modifiable or nonmodifiable and are grouped into six major areas.

• Modifiable: Can be changed (e.g., health habits, lifestyle).

• Nonmodifiable: Cannot be changed (e.g., age, genetic factors).

• Six major areas: Age, genetic factors, physiologic factors, health habits, lifestyle, environment.

Health Promotion and Illness Prevention

Levels of Prevention

Preventive care is categorized into three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary.

• Primary prevention: Promotes health and prevents disease/injury. Examples: Immunizations, family planning, accident prevention.

• Secondary prevention: Early detection and prompt treatment. Examples: Screenings, regular medical exams.

• Tertiary prevention: Reduces disability, rehabilitates after diagnosis. Examples: Diabetes education, physical therapy, support groups.

Models of Health and Illness

The Health Belief Model (Rosenstock)

This model focuses on individual perceptions and beliefs about health, which influence health behaviors.

• Modifying factors: Demographic, sociopsychological, structural variables.

• Three components:

  • Perceived susceptibility to disease

  • Perceived seriousness of disease

  • Perceived benefits of action

The Health Promotion Model (Murdaugh)

This model illustrates how individuals interact with their environment to pursue health, emphasizing personal characteristics and behavior-specific knowledge.

• Predictive factors: Biologic, psychological, sociocultural.

• Outcome: Health-related behavior directed toward positive health outcomes.

Revised Health Promotion Model

• Additional variables: Activity-related affect, commitment to action, immediate competing demands/preferences.

• Behaviors: May induce positive or negative subjective responses.

The Health–Illness Continuum

This model conceptualizes health as a dynamic state, with wellness and death at opposite ends of a continuum.

• Dynamic adaptation: Health changes as individuals adapt to internal and external environments.

• Continuum: High-level wellness → Death

Agent–Host–Environment Model (Leavell and Clark)

This model explains disease as the result of interactions between an external agent, a susceptible host, and the environment.

• Agent: External factor causing disease.

• Host: Susceptible individual.

• Environment: External conditions affecting risk.

• Application: Most useful for infectious diseases.

Stages of Change Model (Prochaska and DiClemente)

This model is used to address behavioral changes, such as injury prevention, addiction, and weight loss.

• Stages:

  1. Precontemplation

  2. Contemplation

  3. Determination (Commitment to Action)

  4. Action (Implementing the Plan)

Summary Table: Levels of Prevention

Summary Table: Models of Health and Illness

Example: Performing a blood pressure screening at a local mall is an example of secondary prevention, as it focuses on early detection of disease.

Example: Pneumonia is an acute illness, while diabetes is a chronic illness.

Example: Keeping in touch with neighbors to foster community is a sociocultural dimension of health.

Additional info: Academic context was added to clarify definitions, provide examples, and summarize models and levels of prevention for completeness and exam preparation.