Dr. Adam J.

Decker Georgia Institute of Technology HPS 1040 Chapter 1

Wellness: The New Health Goal

Wellness = optimal health and vitality Dimensions of wellness Physical wellness Emotional wellness Intellectual wellness Spiritual wellness Interpersonal and social wellness Environmental, or planetary, wellness
World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Wellness Continuum

Figure 1.1

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Public Health Achievements

Figure 1.2

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

2010 Leading Causes of Death Heart disease: 597,689 Cancer: 574,743 Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080 Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476 Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859 Alzheimer's disease: 83,494 Diabetes: 69,071 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476 Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097 Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364
CDC .2010. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm

Leading Causes of Death by Age

Ages 1524 Accidents Homicide Suicide Cancer Heart disease Congenital defects Stroke Flu/pneumonia HIV/AIDS
CDC NVSR 2010
CDC NVSR 2010

Ages 2534 Accidents Suicide Homicide Cancer Heart Disease HIV/AIDS Diabetes Stroke

Behaviors That Contribute to Wellness

Be physically active
Choose a healthy diet Maintain a healthy body weight

Manage stress effectively

Avoid tobacco and drug use and limit alcohol

consumption Protect yourself from disease and injury

Quantify and report a health risk. - Measure of comparative risk of a health-related event such as disease or death between two groups. It is the chance that a person receiving an exposure will develop a condition compared to the chance that a non-exposed person will develop the same condition.
iHealth, 2011, pg. 19

Lifestyle and Wellness

More time watching TV = increased risk of obesity and diabetes

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Lifestyle and Wellness

Cigarette smoking = increased risk of lung cancer

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Lifestyle and Wellness

Low intake of fruits and vegetables = increased

risk of heart disease

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Quantity vs. Quality of Life

In 2010 the average life expectance is 78.7 years (CDC)

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Reaching Wellness Through Lifestyle Management

Getting started:

Examine your current health habits Choose a target behavioran isolated

behavior selected as the object for a behavior change program Obtain information about your target behavior Find outside help if needed
Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Enhancing Your Readiness to Change

Precontemplationno intention of changing behavior Contemplationintending to take action within 6 months Preparationplanning to take action within a month Actionoutwardly changing behavior Maintenancesuccessful behavior change within

the past 6 months Termination

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Public Health
Charles Edward Winslow - Bacteriologist and graduate of MIT in 1898 - Defined public health in 1920. Definition valid today The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts for the sanitation of the environment, the control of community infections, the education of the individual in principles of personal hygiene, the organization of medical and nursing services for the early diagnosis and preventive treatment of disease, and the development of the social machinery which will ensure to every individual in the community a standard of living adequate for the maintenance of health.

 Compare and Contrast Public Health and Medical

Practice: Public Health Community, population Government funded Less money prevention

Medical Practice individualized pharma, insurance more money

 Epidemiology (the study of what is upon the people): study

of distribution and determinants of disease frequency in human populations.

Public health is typically divided into epidemiology,

biostatistics and health services. Environmental, social, behavioral and occupational health are also important subfields. There are 2 distinct characteristics of public health: 1. It deals with preventive rather than curative aspects of health 2. It deals with population-level, rather than individual-level health issues

Evaluating Sources of Health Information

Go to the original source

Watch for misleading language

Distinguish between individual research reports and

public health advice Remember that anecdotes are not facts Be skeptical and use your common sense

Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1

Evaluating Sources of Health Information: Internet Resources

What is the source of the information? Who is the author or sponsor of the site? How often is the site updated? What is the purpose of the page? Does the site promote particular products or procedures? Are there obvious reasons for bias? What do other sources say about the topic? Does the site conform to any set of guidelines or criteria for quality and accuracy?
Fit & Well: Core Concepts and Labs in Physical Fitness and Wellness, Chapter 1