Health practices are shaped by more than personal decisions. This lesson introduces health behavior, the influence of context, and why nurses should avoid blaming or labeling clients.
Health behavior includes actions, habits, activities, policies, and procedures that can support or undermine health. These behaviors occur at multiple levels: individuals, communities, organizations, and governments. For example, taking prescribed medication is an individual behavior, while workplace safety rules and community food policies also shape health.
All flashcards
Health behavior
Actions, habits, activities, policies, and procedures that can support or undermine health.
Socio-ecological model
A framework for organizing how personal and broader contexts influence health behavior and outcomes.
Heritability
An estimate of how much variation in a population trait is associated with genetic differences.
Social determinants of health
Conditions and environments where people live and develop that affect health and quality of life.
Intersectionality
An approach to understanding how overlapping systems of disadvantage and privilege shape inequities.
Quiz questions
How should a family history of a disease generally inform an individual's health assessment?Answer: It can indicate increased risk and guide screening, but does not guarantee the individual will develop the disease.
What was redlining, as described in relation to neighborhood health?Answer: A discriminatory home-loan practice that denied mortgages or offered unfavorable terms based on race.
What does intersectionality examine in relation to health inequities?Answer: How overlapping systems of disadvantage and privilege shape people's experiences and opportunities.
What does the term "maternity care desert" describe?Answer: An area with limited or no access to obstetric providers, hospitals, or birth centers.
Why does the presence of a nearby clinic not necessarily mean that a person can access care?Answer: Cost, transportation, appointment availability, communication, or trust may still create barriers.
Based on Population Health for Nurses by Jessica Ochs, Sherry L. Roper, Susan M. Schwartz (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.