ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

Basic Community Health

Health & Disease

Dr. N Sivarajah Department of Community medicine, Faculty of Medicine Jaffna Aug 02, 2012

What is Health?

Dr. N Sivarajah

Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

WHO definition of Health

Health is a state of complete, physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity and being able to lead a socially and economically productive life

World Health Organization

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PHYSICAL MENTAL

SOCIAL

SPIRITUAL

WELLBEING
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Understanding Health
Health is a fundamental Human Right Health is the essence of productive life Health is intersectoral Health is needed to improve Quality of Life Health has to be integrated with other sectors Health is an integral part of Development
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Determinants of Health
Several factors determine health. The factors may be
promotive or damaging the health of the individual or community

Important determinants are

Heredity Environment Life style Socio-economic conditions Health and Family Welfare Services Other factors such as: Agriculture, education, Policies etc
Health & Disease AHS CH 2012 6

Dr. N Sivarajah

Determinants of Disease
Genetic factors

GOOD HEALTH

ILL HEALTH

Environmental factors
(Including Life style)

Dr. N Sivarajah

Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

Determinants of Disease
PREVIOUS ILLNESS

FAMILIAL
ENVIRONMENT (soft water)

(Hypertension, Diabetes)

Ischaemic Heart Disease

DIET

BEHAVIOUR (Smoking, Alcohol)

LACK OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Dr. N Sivarajah

Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

Responsibility for Health

Individual Responsibility Community Responsibility State responsibility International responsibility

Dr. N Sivarajah

Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

Individual Responsibility
Health is a Fundamental Human Right and should be earned and maintained by the individual. Individuals should undertake promotion of their health, without professional help. Eg: Personal hygiene, diet, sleep, exercise, healthy habits and lifestyle, submitting to screening, immunization etc.
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Community Responsibility
Achievement of health is through united community effort Individual and Community responsibility are complementary. Active involvement of families and communities in:
Planning, implementation, utilization, operation & evaluation of health services
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State responsibility
State is necessary to
Develop policies towards health promotion deliver services to the people ensure equitable distribution of services Secure just and humane conditions of work Etc.

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Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

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International responsibility is necessary to

Ensure cooperation between countries regarding
Exchange of experts Provision of drugs and supplies Control of communicable diseases Achievement of Health for All, through Primary Health Care

Achievements of International cooperation

Eradication of Small pox Control of spread of diseases across borders.
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Health & Disease AHS CH 2012

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