Reference no: EM133593611
Case Study: Health is now seen as more than the absence of illness. The newer definition includes various health domains like physical, mental, and social health. The newer definition also includes well-being -otherwise known as health promotion.
There are various approaches to health. Specifically, there are three main models, or perspectives, to determine what being healthy means which include the Medical Model, the Behavioural Model, and the Socio-Environmental model. Historically, health has been viewed using the Medical Model. This perspective focuses on treating disease and values access to illness-based, curative care. A critique of the medical model is that it only sees the illness, not the person. The second health perspective is the Behavioural Model. This model focuses on how certain lifestyle choices, like physical activity, which was found in the Lalonde report, promotes health. This led to the last model, the Socio-Environmental approach. This model suggests that health is more than physical and mental well-being; it is also affected by our surroundings - hence, the Socio-Environmental model, which highlights various social determinants of health. This is further highlighted in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, which builds on the World Health Organization's definition of health prerequisites, such as peace, shelter, education, food, income, stable ecosystem, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. Society is responsible for health, not only the individual.
Dan Beuttner studied places where people live longer, healthier lives. These people like in Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; and Okinawa, Japan. Here are his findings: family time is valuable in these cultures, these populations have less tobacco use, these populations eat a majority plant-based diet, and these populations participate in frequent, moderate physical activity. These populations are also socially active and integrated with their communities and find purpose in life, they reduce stress and consume a moderate amount of calories, these people moderately consume alcohol (especially wine), and they are engaged in spirituality.
Traditionally the purpose of the HC system was to diagnose, treat and cure illness. This is similar to disease prevention, which are strategies to prevent disease from happening. This concept is similar to health promotion, which involves strategies to improve health. However, the movement toward preventing disease began in the 1970s, and slowly but surely, more attention is being given to ways to prevent disease and promote health. Preventing illness and keeping people healthier keeps people happier and is cheaper and more effective on the system.
Health promotion and disease prevention are now important functions of Canada's Health Care system. Some examples may include immunization programs, prenatal and parenting classes, information campaigns to reduce drinking during pregnancy, and efforts to improve housing, decrease poverty and protect the environment. Nurses contribute to health promotion and disease prevention and are needed now more than ever. In your role, you provide non-medical care and services that can help prevent major health programs. Your role is critical to help prevent complications in the client's health (such as hygiene, safety, and assisting with mobilization). By doing these important things, you help improve quality of life and prevent further illness or disability.
Questions:
- What is health promotion?
- What does it mean to you?