Question

43) “Upstream” public health interventions are typically more effective than “downstream” ones in mitigating a health problem. All but one of the following are examples of “upstream” public health approaches. Which one is it?

44) Which aspect of health is not clearly identified in the World Health Organization’s definition of health?

Answer 1

43. The main three approaches in the upstream public health interventions were, social disadvantage approaches, life course approaches, and health equity approaches.

The first one,social disadvantage approaches focus on the connection between health and neighborhood conditions, working conditions, education, income and wealth, and race/ethnicity and racism; a potential causal connection is the role of stress related to coping with these factors.

The next one is life course approaches, it is focused on the connection between health and critical or sensitive periods in exposure to risk like adverse childhood experiences, intergenerational transfer of advantage as well as cumulative exposures; the potential causal link here may derive from the effect of social status on the regulation of genes controlling physiologic functions (e.g., immune functioning).

The last approach is the health equity approaches in which it consider the connection between health and social inequities stemming from socio-demographic factors, such as immigration status, class, , gender, sexual orientation, and disability status; social capital can serve to moderate or mediate the effects of these factors.

44. According to WHO health is "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." this definition was subjected to controversies due to its limited value of implementation.

The WHO used the word complete which is not possible to achieve by any person.

The physical health is the only one parameter which is easily measurable.

The disease and infirmity may go unnoticed according to this definition.

According to this definition often health care facility service will be necessary to maintain the health status.