Contemporary Perspectives of Health

Abstract

In this subject, students will examine the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of health and explore the factors that determine health status and influence 'meanings of health'. The notion of health as a social construct will be investigated by examining international frameworks of health promotion. Young people will act as a case study population for investigation, and healthy eating habits and physical activity will act as study foci. Through the design of a health promotion strategy that responds to the health needs of young people, this subject offers students the opportunity to apply both a settings and population approach to health promotion, and incorporate the principles of social justice.

Syllabus

Defining health and health promotion;The continuum - promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation;Exploring milestones in health promotion;Exploring meanings of health - for different populations; as a social construct;Examining the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of health;Models for health promotion - biomedical; social; ecological;Measuring health status - using young people; insufficient physical … For more content click the Read More button below.

Defining health and health promotion;
The continuum - promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation;
Exploring milestones in health promotion;
Exploring meanings of health - for different populations; as a social construct;
Examining the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of health;
Models for health promotion - biomedical; social; ecological;
Measuring health status - using young people; insufficient physical activity and childhood obesity as a case study;
Critiquing the role of epidemiology in health promotion;
Factors determining health status/meanings of health - genetic; socio-economic; social; cultural; geographic; environmental;
Exploring human rights discourses in health;
Social justice principles;
Health inequities in populations of young people;
Populations approach to health promotion;
Settings approach to health promotion - schools; community spaces; workplaces;
Global responses to health problems in populations of young people - insufficient physical activity; childhood obesity.

Assessment items

1. Health Report

2. Analysing a Health Promotion Strategy

3. Developing a Health Promotion Strategy

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to describe the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of health;

be able to explore the notion of health as a social construct;

be able to evaluate the impact of key health promotion policies on health status;

be able to critique the role of epidemiology in informing strategies for health promotion;

be able to explain the factors that determine health status and influence meanings of health;

be able to argue the efficacy of the socio-ecological approach in promoting social responsibility for health;

be able to employ the principles of social justice to the design of a health promotion strategy to support the health of young people;

be able to apply the settings and population approaches to the design of a health promotion strategy to support the health of young people.

Enrolment restrictions

Bachelor of Education (K-12)
Bachelor of Educational Studies
Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science (with specialisations)
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) PDHPE
and as approved by Course Co-ordinator