Approaches to health

Approaches to Health

Historic and modern

Biomedical Model

Description: The biomedical model of health focuses on the physical or biological aspects of disease and illness. It is a medical model practised by doctors and health professionals and is associated with the diagnosis, treatment and cure of disease. Key features: - Focuses on individuals who are ill - Concerned with disease, illness and disability - Relies on services provided by doctors, specialists and hospitals - Quick fix approach - Relies on technology to diagnose, treat and cure Examples: - X-rays - Scans - Blood test - Ultrasound - Mammograms

Strengths and Limitations It creates advances in technology and research It relies on professional health workers and technology and is therefore costly Extends life expectancy It doesn’t always promote good health Many common problems can be effectively treated Not every condition can be treated

Strengths and Limitations Promotes good health and wellbeing and assists in preventing diseases It promotes overall health and wellbeing Relatively inexpensive Not every condition can be prevented It does not promote development of technology and medical knowledge Health promotion messages can be ignored

New Public Health

Description: New public health refers to an approach to health that expands the traditional focus on individual behaviour change to one that considers the ways in which physical, sociocultural and political environments impact on health. Also referred to as the social model of health. Key features: - Acts enable access to healthcare - Empowers individuals and communities - Addresses the broader determinants of health - Involves intersectoral - Acts reduce social inequities Examples: - Go for your life strategy - Sun smart school programs - Rural Retention Program

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Old public health

Description: Old public health refers to government actions that focused on changing the physical environment to prevent the spread of disease, such as providing safe water, sanitation and sewage disposal, improved nutrition, improved housing conditions and better work conditions Examples: Some of the policies and practices include – - The establishment of government funded water and sewage systems and better sanitation - Eliminations of housing slums and introduction of better quality-housing - Improved food and nutrition