Chapter 1 Notes

Chapter I Notes

Principles of Personal Health

I. Health Concerns of the Coming Century

A. We continue to face a number of serious health challenges

1. Heart Disease

2. Cancer

3. Accidents

4. Drug use

5. Mental illness

B. We can pursue a plan of healthful living to minimize illness and disease

II. Health: More Than the Absence of Illness

A. Traditional perception of health:

1. The absence of disease

2. The ability to live a long life

3. Does this definition need to be extended???

III. Traditionally Defined Health Care

A. Episodic Health Care

1. The majority of Americans use health care services during periods of illness

B. Preventive Medicine

1. It makes more sense to prevent illness than to deal with it

2. Determine the risk for developing a particular condition

3. Risk factors- \factors which are associated with a certain disease or illness

4. We can lower risk levels through education, lifestyle modification, and medical intervention

5. Preventative medicine should be guided by a practitioner

IV. Individual Health Promotion

A. Wellness and fitness programs are not legally defined as medical practices Do not require the involvement of physicians

V. Community Health Promotion

A. Empowerment- A process in which group’s or individual’s gain control over their health

B. The Empowering of individuals so they can develop programs that promote their own health

C. The key to successful community-based health promotion is empowerment

D. We must learn to "liberate" ourselves from the barriers that restrict health enhancement

E. Once people are given information, they become better able to plan and implement programs for their health needs.

VI. Wellness

A. Wellness- A broadly based term used to describe a highly developed level of health

B. Longevity- Length of life

C. Wellness is not driven by longevity

D. Wellness is intended to unlock the full potential of individuals

VII. Multidimensional Perceptions

A. There are two multidimensional perceptions of health:

1. WHO’s Three-Part Definition of Health

a. A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being not merely the absence of disease

2. Holistic Health

a. Encompasses not only the physical, mental, and social aspects, but also intellectual and spiritual dimensions

b. The holistically healthy person functions as a total person

VIII. Today’s College Students

A. Students of Traditional College Age

1. Young adult years- a transitional period between adolescence and adulthood(18-24)

2. More than 13 million students are enrolled in U.S. colleges

3. More than ½ of these are women

4. Minority students make up about 20%

5. Foreign students make up about 3 %

6. About 3 out of 5 students attend college full time

7. More than ½ undergraduate college students are of traditional age

B. Students of Nontraditional Age

1. More than 40% of American college students are nontraditional students

2. Many nontraditional students are trying to juggle a demanding schedule:

a. Managing a family

b. Managing a job

c. A schedule of classes

d. This may have to be done on a limited budget

c. Minority Students

1. The overall number of minority students is increasing

D. Students with Disabilities

1. Comprise 6.3% of all undergraduates

2. A greater number of students with "hidden" disabilities are appearing on campuses

a. Emotional problems

b. Alcohol and substance abuse problems

IX. Developmental Tasks of Young Adulthood

A. Forming an Initial Adult Identity

1. Both young people and society are beginning to look at each other in new ways

2. Most young people want to present a unique identity

3. They are constructing perceptions of the adults they wish to be

B. Establishing Independence

1. In contemporary society the responsibility for socialization during childhood is assigned to the family

2. The family is the primary contributor to a young person’s knowledge, values, and behaviors

3. Travel, peer relationships, marriage, military service and college are traditional avenues for disengagement from the family

4. The willingness and ability to follow one of these paths can help a young adult establish independence

5. Students have pursued a college education in large part to gain entry into an occupation

6. Employment provides an opportunity to assume new responsibilities

C. Assuming Responsibility

1. Young adults have a variety of opportunities to assume responsibility

2. Young adults may accept responsibility voluntarily or involuntarily

3. One responsibility is that of maintaining ones health

4. For most, young adulthood marks the entry to parenthood

D. Developing Social Skills

1. Adulthood involves "membership" in a variety of groups

2. Young adults need to refine a variety of social skills

a. Communication

b. Listening

c. Conflict management

E. Developing Intimacy

1. Developing intimacy usually begins in young adulthood and continues through mid-life

2. Intimate relationships provide the opportunity to share deeply held thoughts and feelings

F. The interdependence of Developmental Tasks and Their Mastery

1. There is a considerable overlap in the accomplishment of these tasks.

2. The development in one area can compliment development in another

X. Development Tasks of Mid-life Adults

A. Achieving Generativity (mid-life development)

1. Mid-life people are expected to "pay back" society for the support it has given them

2. Generativity reflects this process of contributing to the collective good

3. Generativity benefits both mid-life people and society

4. The most traditional way mid-life people repay society is through parenting

B. Reassessing the Plans of Young Adulthood

1. Mid-life people must think about their goals for adulthood they formulated earlier

2. Middle-aged people can more clearly study their short- and long-term goals

3. Time is valued more highly

XI. Developmental Tasks of Elderly Adults

A. Accepting the Decline of Aging

1. Physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and occupationally, elderly people must accept some decline

2. They must accept the nature and extent of these losses

B. Maintaining a High Level of Physical Function

1. The elderly should maintain the highest level of physical function possible

2. The elderly can bring back some function

3. Another approach is remediation (An alternative to the area of loss is introduced)

C. Establishing a Sense of Integrity

1. The elderly must look back to see the value in what they were able to accomplish

a. "Would I do it over again?"

b. "Am I satisfied with what I was able to accomplish?"

2. The ability to come to terms with death reinforces the sense of integrity

XII. A new definition of Health

A. The Role of Health

1. We use our health to let us participate in events in every stage of our lives

B. The Composition of Health

1. The composition of health is a collection of resources needed to participate fully in the events of life

2. We must first understand the stages of development in order to correctly progress through those stages

XIII. The Multiple Dimensions of Health

A. Physical Dimension

1. Physical characteristics are: our body weight, visual ability, strength & endurance, coordination, and susceptibility to disease

B. Emotional Dimension

1. The emotional dimension of health encompasses our ability to cope with stress and resolve conflict

2. To some extent we are all affected by feelings

C. Social Dimension

1. The composition of the social world changes associated with employment, parenting, and community involvement

D. Intellectual Dimension

1. One of the most important aspects of health are the ability to process and act on information, clarify values and beliefs, and make decisions

E. Spiritual Dimension

1. The spiritual dimension includes religious beliefs and practices as well as relationships with other living things, the nature of human behavior, and the need to serve others

F. Occupational Dimension

1. Employment plays a role in how we perceive ourselves

2. In our place of employment we gain financial resources and other useful skills:

a. Conflict resolution

b. Shared responsibility

c. Intellectual growth

G. Environmental Dimension

1. The world is a potential resource that can be used in meeting life’s demands

2. We have a responsibility to be stewards of that world

XIV. Our Definition of Health

A. A reflection of your ability to use the resources within each dimension of health to participate fully in the activities that contribute to growth and development

XV. Charting a play for Behavior Change

A. Health behaviors students typically want to change:

1. Gain or lose weight

2. Stop smoking

3. Stop using smokeless tobacco

4. Eliminate or reduce caffeine

5. Develop better sleeping patterns

6. Reduce levels of stress

7. Improve physical fitness

8. Reduce alcohol consumption

9. Eat more nutritiously

10. Develop more friendships

11. Enhance the spiritual dimension of health

B. Steps to changing behavior:

1. Establish data about your behavior

2. Summarize your data

3. Establish specific goals

4. Make a personal contract

5. Devise a plan of action

6. Chart your progress in a diary or journal

7. Encourage your family and friends to help you

8. Set up a reward system

9. Prepare for obstacles along the way

10. Revise your plan if necessary

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