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JU
NIOR HIGH SCHOOL

MAPEH 9 (HEALTH)
FIRST QUARTER
LEARNING MODULE 1

UNIT TOPIC: Community and Environmental Health

Prepared by: Amor Grace Martinez Sacudit

I. GAINING IN YOUR END

I will be able to:
- Define community and environmental health

II. AS YOU MOVE

III. MATTER IN HAND

COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Health education being part of social science regards biological, environmental, physical,
psychological and medical science for health promotions and prevention of diseases, disabilities and
early death through education of community members in order to change personal beliefs, practices
and behaviors of community health and well-being.

The term community became popular during the 19 th century to differentiate the dynamics and
relationships of individuals within the local area to that of a larger and more complicated society. The
term is related to the French word commune and German word Gemeinshaft, as relationship in the
community is straight, holistic and meaningful compared to the formal and abstract relationships in a
larger society.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a community as a group of individual living a
specified geographical location who shares common interests, beliefs, culture, values and norms.
These individuals are arranged in a social structure according to relationships which group had
structured over a period of time. Members of the community show awareness of their identity in the
group, share common needs, and work together in meeting these needs.

Environmental, on the other hand, is everything that is external to a person. It includes the
following factors: physical, biological, chemical, psychological, and social. A community belongs within
a specific environment.

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There are three type of communities. It is important to remember that an individual can belong to
these types at the same time. The three types are as follows:

1. Geographical Community. A geographical community shares common physical environment and

members are in contact with each other because of proximity. A physical environment includes
mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests. An example of geographical community is a barangay
situated near a river or within the slopes of a mountain.

2. Community of Interest. A community of interest is also called a “community within communities”.

Members of the community are linked and related to each other on the foundation of common
interests or shared ideas and concerns. Common interests may be a sport club, musical choir, or a
theatrical group. Shared ideas and concerns may be about animal rights, or advocacy for clean air.
Sometimes, the community is formed because of self-identified members of a group based on
features outside of the group’s control like disability, ethno-linguistic, or poverty-stricken individuals,
which give them a sense of common identity and shared concerns.

3. Virtual Community. A virtual community interacts through communication media like the use of
computer and Internet rather than seeing one another personally. These people connect because
of their shared, ideas, concerns, preferences, and beliefs. An example of virtual community is the
“online community”.

4. Community Health. The integration of arts, sciences, skills and beliefs directed on protecting,
maintaining and improving the health of the individuals through collective, organized and sustained
social action programs. Different communities may have different needs but all aspire of achieving
health and productiveness. Community health actions change a science, technology and social
values change but community goals still remain the same. A healthy community always believes
that health and well-being are more than the absence of diseases, that it motivates individuals to
maintain a high quality of life and be productive in life.

5. Environmental health. It consists of the different healthy characteristics which are necessary to
have a surrounding conducive of living and productive engagement among communities. The
terms community health and environmental health goes hand in hand. Therefore, it is impossible to
discuss community health without tackling environmental health and vice-versa.

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The following are the characteristics of a healthy community based on the World Health
Organization (WHO):

 Promotes social harmony

 Meets individuals’ basic needs
 Diverse and innovative economy
 Sustainable resources and environment
 A clean, safe, and protective environment
 Members communicate, interact, and share experiences
 Individual are actively involved in activities and programs
 Access to appropriate and reliable health services and facilities
 Knows and understands local public health issues and concerns
 Promotion and celebration of historical and cultural practice and traditions

Communities can be healthy, unhealthy or developing to achieve a healthy state. The factors
mentioned can either positively or negatively affect communities may arise from various elements
like ineffective leadership, uncommitted community officials and members, poverty, poor education
and training, unclean surroundings, natural calamities, war and conflict among others.

IV. KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

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V. THINK THROUGH (test and task)

OC Module 1 Worksheet
Name: Grade Level & Section:
Date: Score: Parent/Guardian Signature:

TASK 1. Compare two communities within the local area. Make a table of comparison. List as many factors
which contribute to its growth and development as a community.

COMMUNITY 1 COMMUNITY 2

Name of community: Name of community:

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TASK 2. On a clean sheet of paper, write how a community will be able to grow and develop into a healthy
community.

Resources: MAPEH Kto12 book, Authors: Jeff Foreene M. Santos, Ruth Gome-Yap, Romina R. Macato.
Coodinator: Milagros V. Referente

This module is for TLCA learners use only (NOT FOR SALE)