CHAPTER 2

HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND HEALTH

TOPICS COVERED

► I. Determinants of Health
► II. Human Behavior
► III. Health Behavior
► IV. Lifestyle
OBJECTIVES:

► After discussion of this chapter, the student will be able to:

► 1. Describe the determinants of health.
► 2. List examples of social and physical determinants of health.
► 3. Discuss the impact of human behavior to health.
I. DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

► CATEGORIES:
► A. Policymaking
► B. Social factors
► C. Health services
► D. Individual behavior
► E. Biology and genetics
A. POLICYMAKING

► Policies at the local state, and federal level affect individual and population
health.
B. SOCIAL FACTORS

► Social determinants of health reflect the social factors and physical

conditions of the environment
► also known as SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH; they impact
a wide range of health, functioning and quality of life outcomes
► EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS:
▪ availability of resources to meet daily needs
▪ social norms and attitudes such as discrimination
▪ exposure to crime, violence and social disorder
▪ Social support and social interactions
▪ exposure to mass media and emerging technologies
▪ Socioeconomic conditions such as poverty
▪ quality schools
▪ Transportation options
▪ Public safety
▪ Residential segregation
Examples of PHYSICAL DETERMINANTS:
▪ Natural environment
▪ Built environment
▪ Worksites, schools and recreational settings
▪ Housing, homes, and neighborhoods
▪ Exposure to toxic substances and other physical hazards
▪ Physical barriers, especially for people with disabilities
▪ Aesthetic elements such as good lighting, trees or benches
C. HEALTH SERVICES

► Barriers to accessing health services:

1. Lack of availability
2. High cost
3. Lack of insurance coverage
4. Limited language access
Consequences of barriers:
1. Unmet health needs
2. Delays in receiving appropriate care
3. Inability to get preventive services
4. Hospitalizations that could have been prevented
D. INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR

► Examples of Individual Behavior Determinants of Health:

1. Diet
2. Physical activity
3. Alcohol, cigarette and other drug use
4. Hand washing
E. BIOLOGY AND GENETICS

► Examples of Biological and Genetic Social Determinants of Health:

1. Age
2. Sex
3. HIV status
4. Inherited conditions (sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis)
5. Carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene which increases risk for breast and ovarian
cancer
6. Family history of heart disease
II. HUMAN BEHAVIOR

► Human behavior is the responses of individuals or groups of humans to

internal and external stimuli.
► It refers to the array of every physical action and observable emotion
associated with individuals, as well as the human race
► Aside from age and genetics, behavior driven in part by thoughts and feelings
► Social behavior is a subset of human behavior, study the considerable
influence of social interaction and culture
III. HEALTH BEHAVIOR

► Any activity undertaken by an individual regardless of actual or perceived

health status for the purpose of promoting, protecting or maintaining health.
► Distinguished from risk behaviors which are defined separately as behaviors
associated with increased susceptibility to a specific cause of ill-health
► Health behaviors and risk behaviors are often related in clusters in a more
complex pattern of behaviors known as LIFESTYLE
IV. LIFESTYLE

► Introduced by Austrian psychologist ALFRED ADLER

► “a person’s basic character as established early in childhood”
► Lifestyle is the interest, opinions, behaviors and behavioral orientations of an
individual, group or culture
► It is a combination of determining intangible or tangible factors
► Developing a healthy lifestyle is about more than just focusing on habits that
address a specific health problem.
► A healthy lifestyle can affect multiple aspects of health including:
1. Ability to maintain a healthier weight level
2. Aging process : how mental and physical health change with age
3. Risk of developing chronic disease
❖ Factors to commit for a healthy
lifestyle:
1. Psychological changes
2. Behavioral changes
3. Dietary changes
❖ Aspects of lifestyle that might
influence one’s health:
1. Nutrition habits: The foods we eat have a direct influence on the health of
our bodies. Instead of eating to feel full, focus on eating to increase your
energy levels, benefit your digestive health and improve your overall health.
2. Hydration habits: To maintain a good health you have to drink plenty of
water. A daily minimum of 3 liters (14 cups) of fluid is recommended for men
and 2.2 liters (9cups) for women. Try drinking water instead of sodas or juices
throughout the day.
3. Physical activity: Staying physically active can help you maintain a healthy
weight and body composition, reducing the risk of weight-related medical
conditions. It can also help maintain the health of muscles, bones and joints
with age.
4. Stress management: Stress triggers a survival response that can help us in the
► Short-term but become damaging if it persists for a long period of time.
Learning how to control stress can help you retain your mental and physical
health.
5. Sleeping habits: The amount of sleep you get every night dictates your energy
level, feeling of mental alertness and ability to maintain a healthy weight level.
Try to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night.
6. Daily supplements: Vitamins, nutrients and herbs are big supporters of health
and wellness. Taking supplements and managing your health through
detoxification and other treatment methods can encourage a healthier lifestyle.