HLSC 4P59 – D3 Lecture 1 – Diversity and Health Jan 10/2017
WHO definition of Health
A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.
People's experience of health (psychological and social well-being)
1. Feeling vital, full of energy
2. Having a sense of purpose in life
3. Experiencing a connection to "community"
4. Being able to do things one enjoys
5. Having good social relationship
6. Feeling a sense of control over one's life and living conditions
Indicators of population health (epidemiological data)
To measure the health of populations, we look at:
o Life expectancy
o Health expectancy
o Mortality/morbidity ratios
o Reading causes of death
o Self-assessed health
How can we relate the Index of Human Development (IHD) to Inequalities?
The human development index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and
per capita income indicators
Human Development Index
Summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of health development: a long and
healthy life, being knowledgeable and have a decent standard of living (United Nations)
Now we have an Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)
Combines a country's average achievement in health, education and income with how those
achievements are distributed among country's population by "discounting" each dimension's
average value according to its level of inequality.
Thus, the IHDI is distribution-sensitive average level of HD. Two countries with different
distributions of achievements can have the same average HDI value
Under perfect equality the IHDI is equal to the HDI, but falls below the HDI hen inequality rises
Continuing with defining health inequalities which means
Health differences between: countries/population groups/individuals
o Systematic differences of health of between more and less advantaged groups
o Health disparities/variations (U.S); what's the difference? (Graham, 2009, p.3)
Health inequality means
Health inequalities that are unnecessary, avoidable, unfair and unjust (Ontario Public Health
Standards, 2008 - Graham, 2009, p.4)
Equity = the quality of being fair and socially just (Webster's dictionary)
Focus: access to resources, burden of health
What is diversity?
The state of being diverse
WHO definition of Health
A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity.
People's experience of health (psychological and social well-being)
1. Feeling vital, full of energy
2. Having a sense of purpose in life
3. Experiencing a connection to "community"
4. Being able to do things one enjoys
5. Having good social relationship
6. Feeling a sense of control over one's life and living conditions
Indicators of population health (epidemiological data)
To measure the health of populations, we look at:
o Life expectancy
o Health expectancy
o Mortality/morbidity ratios
o Reading causes of death
o Self-assessed health
How can we relate the Index of Human Development (IHD) to Inequalities?
The human development index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and
per capita income indicators
Human Development Index
Summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of health development: a long and
healthy life, being knowledgeable and have a decent standard of living (United Nations)
Now we have an Inequality Adjusted Human Development Index
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI)
Combines a country's average achievement in health, education and income with how those
achievements are distributed among country's population by "discounting" each dimension's
average value according to its level of inequality.
Thus, the IHDI is distribution-sensitive average level of HD. Two countries with different
distributions of achievements can have the same average HDI value
Under perfect equality the IHDI is equal to the HDI, but falls below the HDI hen inequality rises
Continuing with defining health inequalities which means
Health differences between: countries/population groups/individuals
o Systematic differences of health of between more and less advantaged groups
o Health disparities/variations (U.S); what's the difference? (Graham, 2009, p.3)
Health inequality means
Health inequalities that are unnecessary, avoidable, unfair and unjust (Ontario Public Health
Standards, 2008 - Graham, 2009, p.4)
Equity = the quality of being fair and socially just (Webster's dictionary)
Focus: access to resources, burden of health
What is diversity?
The state of being diverse
