Better Health For Individuals What does health mean to individuals?

Perceptions of health Students learn about: - perceptions of their health - perceptions of the health of others eg parents, the elderly, the homeless - implications of different perceptions of health - perceptions of health as social constructs - impact of the media, peers and family Students learn to: - examine perceptions of health by exploring questions such as: - how healthy am I? How healthy do other people think I am? - how healthy do I think other people are? - why would my perceptions of health be similar or different to others? - how might an individual’s perception of health affect their behaviour and wellbeing? determine the degree to which perceptions of health are socially constructed

Perceptions of their health ‘Perception of health’ is our own idea of what health is and what it means to be healthy. Our perception is shaped by our experiences. Our perception of health will change throughout our lifetime because it depends on many factors e.g. age, gender, education, socio-cultural status, socioeconomic status, heredity and lifestyle

Perception of Health of others How we view other peoples health is often shaped by our individual experiences and through media and education. Sometimes we (society) perceive health in population groups e.g. Indigenous, Low SES, homeless. Or in age groups e.g. elderly, infants, adolescents

Implications of different perceptions of health The way people view health contributes to the focus a community places on health of its people. E.g When health was viewed as ‘physical functioning’, there were no priorities placed on mental health prevention or treatment. Perception of health shapes an individuals health behaviours and attitude. On a community / societal level it drives agenda’s for the agencies that are responsible for developing health strategies and interventions e.g. government, NGO’s (cancer council), drug companies, local health clinics, alternative therapists etc

Perceptions of health as a social constructs Because our perception of health is shaped by our experiences it is said to be ‘socially constructed’. This is highlighted by the fact that definitions of health have changed over time as understanding has changed. Therefore our view of health is shaped by things like: education, where we live, media, government policies, family upbringing This view has also helped improve health responses as we now understand that a high percentage of preventable morbidity and mortality is due to social organisation (values and customs of families, towns, communities and nations) not just individual behaviour and lifestyle.

Impact of the media, peers and family Health messages transmitted through media, friends and family can have a positive or negative affect on our health. Family often shape a persons early perception of health. These are then further shaped by peers and media.