The degree of control individuals can exert over their Health

1. The degree of control individuals can exert over their Health Chapter 2 – Influences on health

2. Modifiable and non modifiable health determinants • Health determinants can be classified as modifiable or non modifiable. • This depends on the degree that they can be changed, influenced or controlled by an individual

3. Modifiable health determinants • What we can control or change to influence the impact on our health. • Greater sense of control = more likely to modify negative health impacts. • Increase control over health when: • - acquire information • - make choices • - manage a situation that may be threatening • - Use the skills that we possess • Individual control = social + economic situation

4. Modifiable health determinants • Individuals can improve their knowledge and skills regarding their health through a number of free information organisations e.g. family health clinics, various websites such as Beyond Blue. • Self efficacy is one of the most important factors for change. • It refers to our ability to bring about change. • Greater self efficacy = more persistence • and perseverance for change.

5. Non modifiable health determinants • Factors that the individual cannot modify. • The only factors that might be seen as not modifiable are genetics and some environmental factors. • Genetics – we can not change the genetic material that is passed on to us but we can pre test for early prevention/care needs. • Environment – Individually can not change access to health care in remote locations, access to technology, social isolation and pollution in cities.

6. Modifiable or not…..? • Higher levels of lung illness in Beijing industrial area? • - no, individual has little control on the pollution of the area • Outer Sydney residents more likely to use cars and be overweight then inner Sydney residents • - no, less accessible public transport and commercial services then inner city residents • High rates of hospitilisation for 18-24 year old males • - yes, high incidence of risk taking behaviour

7. Changing influence of determinants through different life stages • At certain times of our lives, different determinants may have different levels of influence on our lives. • E.g. young children will be most effected by things like geographicallocation, family and socioeconomic status will be the biggest influences for them. • As they get older and interact with others, aspects like media have a major influence especially on eating habits and food choices. • The young person would also need a strong sense of belonging with peers.

10. Factors that may affect behaviours and attitudes • Biological changes to the brain – fully developed brain at 25y/o. Changes to risk taking attitudes are likely to follow this age • Greater emotional maturity and a stronger personal identity – primarily formed in adolescence • Greater personal responsibilities – loans, relationships or starting families can have an influence on decisions, lifestyles and spending habits • Different social networks – exposure to attitudes and beliefs of others may contribute to a change in your own.

11. Health as a Social Construct • Its clear that an individual’s ability to achieve optimal health depends on factors present within their environments and the positive or negative effects of these factors. • The social construct recognises people have different views of health based on their social circumstances, ways of seeing, interpreting, interrelating and interacting with their environment. • It helps us explain why some individuals or groups experience better or worse health

12. The interrelationships of determinants • A variety of individual, sociocultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors will effect an individuals health. • The impacts on individuals or communities are not as isolated factors but interrelated and complex relationships. • Understanding the relationship between the determinants highlights the difficulties individuals can face trying to control their health

14. Challenging the notion that health is solely the individuals responsibility • With an individualist view, we find it difficult giving a health status and addressing health concerns. • Improving health takes more then teaching or encouraging a better health choices. • That is why social construct helps us understand certain groups behaviours, why they are disadvantaged compared to other groups and what priorities need to be addressed.

15. - categories of influences • Predisposing factors – factors that might increase the likelihood. • Enabling factors – support the behaviours. • Reinforcing factors – help the behaviours continue. • Example of an obese person?