What Factors Affect Human Health?
- Human health is not defined only by the absence of disease.
- Health includes physical, mental, and social well-being.
- All body systems must function effectively to maintain homeostasis.
- Mental and emotional stability affects how the body responds to stress and illness.
Health
A state in which physical systems function normally, mental well-being is maintained, and individuals can cope with everyday social and psychological demands.
How Do Genetic Factors Affect Human Health?
- Some diseases are inherited:
- Caused by mutations in genes.
- Passed from parents to offspring.
- Cannot be transmitted between individuals.
- Genetic conditions affect cell function:
- Faulty proteins are produced.
- Normal physiological processes are disrupted.
- Thinking genetic diseases can be cured by lifestyle changes.
- Lifestyle can reduce symptoms but does not remove the mutation.
How Do Lifestyle Choices Affect Human Health?
- Diet influences long-term health
- Balanced diets support growth, repair, and immune function.
- Excess salt increases blood pressure.
- Excess sugar increases risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- High saturated fat intake increases cardiovascular disease risk.
- Physical activity affects body systems
- Regular exercise strengthens the heart and lungs.
- Sedentary lifestyles increase obesity risk.
- Muscle and bone strength decline without activity.
- Smoking and alcohol impact multiple organs
- Smoking damages lung tissue and increases cancer risk.
- Alcohol damages liver cells and impairs nervous system function.
- Examiners always look for cause → effect chains in your response.
- Always explain how a behavior leads to a health outcome.
How Does Mental Health Influence Physical Health?
Mental health
A state of emotional and psychological well-being that allows individuals to cope with stress, work productively, and maintain relationships.
- Mental health affects physiological processes
- Chronic stress weakens immune responses.
- Hormonal imbalance affects sleep and digestion.
- Emotional resilience supports overall health
- Strong social support reduces stress effects.
- Isolation increases risk of mental and physical illness.
How Does The Environment Affect Human Health?
- Air quality influences respiratory and cardiovascular health
- Pollution damages lung tissue.
- Long-term exposure increases heart disease risk.
- Water quality and sanitation affect disease risk
- Clean water prevents waterborne illness.
- Poor sanitation increases exposure to harmful microorganisms.
- Climate affects health patterns
- Higher temperatures expand habitats of disease vectors.
- Heatwaves increase dehydration and cardiovascular strain.
Environmental factors often affect entire populations, not just individuals.
How Do Socio-Economic Factors Affect Health?
- Income influences access to resources
- Healthcare availability.
- Nutritious food.
- Safe housing.
- Education affects health decisions
- Understanding of nutrition and disease prevention.
- Likelihood of seeking medical care early.
- Healthcare access shapes outcomes
- Preventative care reduces severe illness.
- Vaccination coverage improves population health.
- Socio-economic questions often link to inequality.
- Mention access, availability, and affordability.
Why Does Health Vary Between Populations?
- Geographic location affects health risks
- Rural areas may lack healthcare infrastructure.
- Urban areas may experience higher pollution levels.
- Cultural practices influence health behaviours
- Traditional diets affect nutrient intake.
- Beliefs influence use of medical services.
Mediterranean diets rich in potassium are associated with lower average blood pressure.
How Do Lifestyle And Environment Interact?
- Food availability shapes diet
- Food deserts limit access to fresh produce.
- Processed foods become default options.
- Urban design influences physical activity
- Walkable cities encourage movement.
- Unsafe environments discourage exercise.
- Housing conditions affect respiratory health
- Poor ventilation increases respiratory stress.
- Damp environments worsen asthma symptoms.
- Explain how genetic factors can affect long-term health.
- Describe two ways lifestyle choices influence disease risk.
- Explain how socio-economic status affects access to healthcare.
- Give one example of how environment and lifestyle interact to affect health.