Health as a Multifactoral Phenomenon

Aileen Filoteo-Quiogue, R.N. Faculty

Definition of Terms
Health Status state of health of an individual Health Belief concepts about health that an individual believes true. Such beliefs may or may not be founded on the fact. Health Behavior actions people take to understand their health state, maintain an optimal state of health, prevent illness and injury, and reach their maximum physical and mental potential.

Variables Influencing Health Status, Beliefs, and Practices

Internal Variables non-modifiable variables
Biologic Dimension Psychologic Dimension Cognitive Dimension

External variables modifiable variables

Environment Standards of Living Family and Cultural Beliefs Social Support Network

Biologic Dimension
Genetic Make-up influences biologic characteristics, innate temperament, activity level, and intellectual potential.
has also been related to specific disease

Sex influences distribution of disease Disorders Common to Femalesosteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis Disorders Common to Males Stomach ulcers, abdominal hernias, respiratory diseases

Biologic Dimension
Age- also affects distribution Childhood Diseases chicken pox, measles, whooping cough Elderly Disorders Alzheimers Disease, Parkinsons Disease

Biologic Dimension
Developmental Level -Infants lack physiologic and psychologic maturity so their defenses against disease are lower during the first years of life. - Toddlers who are learning to walk are more prone to falls and injury - Adolescents who need to conform to peers are more prone to risk-taking behaviors and subsequent injury - Declining physical and sensory-perceptual abilities limit the ability of elders to respond to environmental hazards and stressors

Psychologic Dimension
Mind-Body Interactions
Emotional responses to stress affect body functions Prolonged emotional distress may increase susceptibility to organic disease or precipitate it. Emotional distress may influence the immune system through central nervous system and endocrine alterations. Alterations in the immune system are related to the incidence of infections, cancer, and autoimmune disease. Emotional reactions also occur in response to body conditions.

Psychologic Dimension
Self-concept how a person feels about self (self-esteem) and perceives the physical self (body image), needs, roles, and abilities.
affects how people view and handle situations. Such attitudes can affect health practices, responses to stress and illness, and the times when treatment is sought. Self perception is also associated with a persons definition of health.

Cognitive Dimension
Lifestyle a persons general way of living, including living conditions, and individual patterns of behavior that are influenced by sociocultural factors and personal characteristic often considered as behavior and activities over which people have control
Risk factors - practices that have negative effects on health

Spiritual and Religious Beliefs

External Variables
Environment

Geographic Location- determines climate and climate affects health Pollution Smoke Radiation Greenhouse effect Pesticides and Chemicals Acid Rain

External Variables
Standards of Living
Occupation Income Occupation

External Variables
Family and Cultural Beliefs
Patterns of daily living and lifestyles are passed on to offspring Physical and emotional abuse may cause long-term health problems Emotional health depends on a social environment that is free of excessive tension and does not isolate the person from others. A climate of open communication, sharing, and love fosters the fulfillment of the persons optimum potential Each culture has ideas about health, and these are often transmitted from parents to children

External Variables
Social Support Networks
Family Friends Confidant