SPH 200 Questions and Answers Verified 100%
Correct
Why was the second definition of health not completely accurate?
Health can be improved - shouldn't be measured in a finite way that doesn't allow for
advancements in physical, mental or social determinants of health
Historical definition of health
Absence of disease - infectious disease major problem in populations therefore the definition of
health was exclusionary
1946 WHO health definition
State of complete physical, mental and social well-being - understanding of disease and ability to
combat disease (medical and public health interventions) advanced - health became more
positive
Measuring health
Using definition of state of complete physical, mental and social well-being - 4 dimensions:
1) Wellness without disease or injury
2) Wellness with disease or injury
3) Illness without disease or injury
4) Illness with disease or injury
Still have pinnacle of health - health and disease may not be opposite
1978 WHO
, Revised definition of health - calling for a level of health that permits people to lead a socially
and economically productive lives - minimal acceptable level of health - people who have
diseases can still be considered healthy
Quantitative and qualitative factors as health metrics
Quantitative milestones - growth and cognitive development milestones in children/infants = as
we age less quantitative measurements - a lot harder to apply standardized and quantifiable
health metrics - need qualitative elements that will be influenced by social and cultural factors
Health metrics
Many remain disease-based despite recognizing that health is much more than the presence or
absence of disease - case based statistics or mortality reporting for COVID-19
Mortality as a health metric
We default often to reporting mortality but it is a crude and binary measurement of health but
easy to measure and can be easy to attribute - can be death rate or life expectancy data
Infant mortality and life expectancy
As life expectancy increased from 1900s to 2010, infant mortality decreased - some blips
(Spanish influenza etc).
Infant mortality stratified by income and education
Lowest income and education have higher infant mortality rate that higher income and education
groups = income/economic status one of the most important determinants of health
Morbidity and disability
Correct
Why was the second definition of health not completely accurate?
Health can be improved - shouldn't be measured in a finite way that doesn't allow for
advancements in physical, mental or social determinants of health
Historical definition of health
Absence of disease - infectious disease major problem in populations therefore the definition of
health was exclusionary
1946 WHO health definition
State of complete physical, mental and social well-being - understanding of disease and ability to
combat disease (medical and public health interventions) advanced - health became more
positive
Measuring health
Using definition of state of complete physical, mental and social well-being - 4 dimensions:
1) Wellness without disease or injury
2) Wellness with disease or injury
3) Illness without disease or injury
4) Illness with disease or injury
Still have pinnacle of health - health and disease may not be opposite
1978 WHO
, Revised definition of health - calling for a level of health that permits people to lead a socially
and economically productive lives - minimal acceptable level of health - people who have
diseases can still be considered healthy
Quantitative and qualitative factors as health metrics
Quantitative milestones - growth and cognitive development milestones in children/infants = as
we age less quantitative measurements - a lot harder to apply standardized and quantifiable
health metrics - need qualitative elements that will be influenced by social and cultural factors
Health metrics
Many remain disease-based despite recognizing that health is much more than the presence or
absence of disease - case based statistics or mortality reporting for COVID-19
Mortality as a health metric
We default often to reporting mortality but it is a crude and binary measurement of health but
easy to measure and can be easy to attribute - can be death rate or life expectancy data
Infant mortality and life expectancy
As life expectancy increased from 1900s to 2010, infant mortality decreased - some blips
(Spanish influenza etc).
Infant mortality stratified by income and education
Lowest income and education have higher infant mortality rate that higher income and education
groups = income/economic status one of the most important determinants of health
Morbidity and disability
