Variations in Health Perspectives and Priorities (VCE SSCE Health and Human Development): Revision Notes

Variations in Health Perspectives and Priorities

Understanding how different groups view health and wellbeing is essential for providing appropriate care and support. People's perspectives (viewpoints and attitudes) and priorities (what they consider most important) vary significantly based on age, gender, culture, religion and socioeconomic status.

Age-related variations

Perspectives on health across different age groups

Health perspectives become increasingly complex as we age. Different age groups understand and view health in distinct ways.

Early primary school children (prep to grade 4)

Young children's understanding of health focuses on basic physical concepts. Their views centre on what makes a healthy body, with emphasis on growing up and staying safe. At this stage, health is viewed in simple, concrete terms.

Young people (ages 8-15)

When surveyed in the 2014 National Health Survey, young people in this age group associated health primarily with:

• Diet, nutrition and weight management
• Healthy versus junk food
• Sports and physical fitness
• Personal hygiene
• Mental health concerns including depression and anxiety

Young adults (ages 15-24)

For this age group, health perspectives strongly connect to body image and physical appearance. Young adults who feel positive about their physical appearance are more likely to perceive themselves as healthy. Regular physical activity also contributes to their sense of good health.

Early adulthood (ages 25-39)

Similar to teenagers, people in early adulthood place significant emphasis on physical appearance and body image. Those with positive body image are more likely to view themselves as having good health. Online profiles continue to influence perceptions of health and wellbeing during this life stage.

Middle adulthood (ages 40-64)

Health perspectives during middle adulthood shift toward illness prevention. This change occurs because chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancers often develop during this period. When asked about health and wellbeing, people in this age group typically emphasise being free from illness and disease.

Later adulthood (ages 65+)

Older adults share similar health perspectives with middle-aged adults regarding illness prevention. However, health and wellbeing also encompasses the ability to live independently and maintain physical mobility. These practical aspects of daily living become increasingly important priorities.

Self-assessed health status

Younger Australians generally rate their health more positively than older people. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2017-18, 69% of young males rated their health as excellent or very good, compared with only 31% of people aged 85 years and over.

Priorities across different age groups

Children

Young children do not set their own health priorities. Instead, parents and carers make health decisions on their behalf. For example, a parent might prioritise reducing their child's sugar and salt intake. Without parental guidance, children would likely consume excess sugar and salt, as they have limited understanding of what causes poor health.

As children enter their early teenage years, they begin making more independent health decisions. For instance, when given lunch money, a teenager will choose either a nutritious meal or one high in saturated and trans fats, depending on how much priority they place on physical health.

Youth (ages 12-17)

Physical health remains a priority for young people aged 12-17, including:

• Weight control
• Physical fitness
• Diet and nutrition

However, relationships and peer acceptance also rank as high priorities during this stage. The desire for peer acceptance can lead to pressure around risk-taking behaviours. Many young people identify avoiding harmful practices as important for maintaining health, including:

• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Dangerous driving
• Unsafe sexual practices

Early adulthood (ages 18-39)

During early adulthood, the body reaches its physical peak, making fitness a significant priority. Other important health priorities include weight control and body image.

Emotional health becomes increasingly important as young adults navigate major life changes. This period often involves securing a first full-time job, buying a house, getting married or having children. Managing emotions effectively becomes essential for handling the stress that can accompany these significant life transitions.

Middle adulthood (ages 40-64)

Preventative health practices become a major priority due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancers. The Australian government provides free breast and bowel cancer screening for people over 50, recognising this high-risk period.

For women, accepting and adjusting to physiological changes such as menopause can be particularly challenging during this life stage.

Later adulthood (ages 65+)

Key priorities for older adults include:

• Maintaining physical activity to preserve mobility and independence
• Preventative health practices such as breast and prostate cancer checks
• Mental stimulation and cognitive functioning, particularly after retirement
• Social connections and family relationships

Many older adults become grandparents, which provides opportunities to enhance mental, emotional and physical health through meaningful family engagement.

Gender-based variations

Perspectives on health

Men and women assess their overall health status similarly. In 2017-18, 57% of men and 56% of women rated their health as excellent or very good. However, research reveals important differences in how genders view health.

Key gender differences:

Females typically demonstrate greater health consciousness than males and adopt a more holistic view of health that encompasses all dimensions. In contrast, males often associate health primarily with physical fitness and the physical dimension of health.

Research shows that males and females perceive health behaviours differently:

• Men are less likely than women to perceive themselves as being at risk of illness or injury
• Males are less accurate in reporting their levels of being overweight
• Young men tend to connect health with fitness, particularly the ability to perform well in their chosen sport
• Young women view health more comprehensively, considering diet, exercise routines, appropriate body shape and positive mental state together

Priorities

Changing male priorities

Male health priorities appear to be shifting, partly due to increased social media influence and the desire to present themselves as physically attractive to peers. Young men now place greater focus on consuming nutritious foods, not just engaging in regular physical activity.

Female priorities

Women have traditionally prioritised physical health, with many girls and women striving for what they perceive as a "more desirable physique". This focus is often influenced by unrealistic body image expectations. Consequently, consuming nutritious foods and exercising regularly have been major priorities for females.

Shared priorities

Social health is equally important for both males and females, although friendship groups may form through different activities and interests.

Mental health priorities

Mental health has historically been a greater priority for females, who tend to seek assistance more regularly and easily than males. Women are generally more open about their feelings and more likely to problem-solve and share personal matters with family and friends. However, males have recently begun focusing more on mental health matters and are gradually becoming more willing to open up and seek help when needed.

Cultural variations

Different cultures hold distinct perspectives and priorities regarding health and wellbeing.

Western cultures

Countries like Australia generally view health and wellbeing within the context of professional medical practice and intervention. Health is understood through the lens of modern medicine, with emphasis on medical diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Traditional Vietnamese culture

Some Vietnamese people believe that health, wellbeing and illness may result from supernatural phenomena – events that cannot be explained by science or natural laws, including influences from gods, ghosts or other supernatural beings. This belief system leads people to prioritise prayer and other spiritual or cultural interventions over medical treatment.

Asian cultural perspectives

In many cultures, particularly some Asian groups, the eldest male family member makes decisions about health and wellbeing for the entire family. The health of the family as a whole is prioritised above individual needs.

Traditional Chinese medicine

Chinese medicine adopts a holistic perspective, viewing each body part as interconnected. The practice focuses on restoring harmony, which encompasses health, good weather and good fortune.

Chinese medicine practitioners prioritise using:

• Acupuncture (a form of alternative medicine using thin needles inserted into the body)
• Herbal remedies
• Specific foods

These treatments aim to recover and sustain health rather than relying on prescription medication.

Indian Ayurvedic medicine

Ayurveda (from Sanskrit words Ayu meaning "life" and veda meaning "knowledge of") is a traditional holistic Hindu science of health and medicine. This practice recognises the human being in all dimensions, with treatment aiming to achieve balance across all areas.

Ayurvedic practice involves balancing three doshas (dynamic energies) that exist within each person's body and mind:

• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha

When one dosha becomes too predominant, practitioners prescribe specific nutritional and lifestyle changes to restore balance. Herbal supplements may also be recommended to support the healing process. Ayurvedic treatments include yoga, meditation, specialised diets and herbal medicines.

Socioeconomic variations

Socioeconomic status (SES) measures a person's social and economic position based on income, education and occupation. Significant variations exist in health perspectives and priorities between different socioeconomic groups.

Perspectives

People from different socioeconomic backgrounds have varying perspectives on what constitutes good health. Those from the lowest socioeconomic groups generally have lower health literacy – meaning less understanding of health information and healthy behaviours.

For example, people from the lowest SES groups are significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes (see table below) and tend to be less concerned about the health implications than those from higher SES groups.

Priorities

For people from the most disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, health and wellbeing is often not a major priority. They must first address more immediate needs such as:

• Securing shelter
• Obtaining food
• Providing education for children
• Finding and maintaining employment

National Health Survey findings:

People with lower socioeconomic status rate their own health status more negatively, with higher rates of illness and disease. They are less likely to use preventative healthcare services. For instance, only 50% of women from low-SES groups participated in cervical cancer screenings, compared to 60% of women in high-SES groups.

Several factors contribute to these differences:

• Lower levels of education and health literacy
• Delayed healthcare seeking (often waiting until diseases have progressed)
• Higher stress levels leading to unhealthy coping behaviours
• Limited financial resources for preventative healthcare

Health inequalities by socioeconomic status

Health risk factor	Year	Lowest socioeconomic group (%)	Highest socioeconomic group (%)	Rate ratio: lowest/highest
Daily smoking	2017/2018	21.7	6.8	3.3
Inactive or insufficiently active	2017/2018	87.7	76.9	1.3
Overweight or obese	2017/2018	71.8	62.6	1.6
High blood pressure	2017/2018	25.0	20.4	1.2

Source: ABS 2017-18

The table shows that people from the lowest socioeconomic group are 3.3 times more likely to smoke daily compared to the highest group, demonstrating significant health inequalities.

Religious variations

Different religions practised throughout the world and within Australia hold varying priorities and practices relating to health and wellbeing. While perspectives on health are generally common across religions, some emphasise clarity of mind and body more than others (particularly Hinduism and Buddhism).

Spirituality is considered an important aspect of health and wellbeing across all religions. For many religious followers, spiritual health is as important as physical health, leading to perspectives that emphasise the interrelation between dimensions – especially spiritual, mental and physical health.

Buddhism

Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion globally, mainly practised in southeast Asia, though many people from Western cultures have also adopted these practices. Buddhist practices aim to achieve clarity of mind, striving for balance between mind and body through breathing, physical postures and mindfulness.

Key priorities and practices:

Spiritual health is what Buddhists believe is the key to promoting overall health and wellbeing. Buddhists aim to follow the Noble Eightfold Path using meditation, study of scriptures and rituals. These practices help individuals work towards the enlightened state of Nirvana – a place of peace and happiness where suffering ends and the cycle of rebirth ceases.

Buddhist beliefs affecting health:

• Some Buddhists believe illness can be prevented through spiritual focus, with cures obtained by changing mindset and using herbs
• Conception marks the beginning of life, making birth especially precious; contraception (methods preventing pregnancy) is acceptable
• End-of-life practices emphasise having an alert mind without excessive pain; medication is allowed unless it dulls consciousness
• Dietary practices involve abstaining from alcohol and drugs as they impair mental clarity; many Buddhists follow vegetarian diets
• Western medicine, including intensive care units, is often avoided as these environments don't provide peace and quiet
• Some Eastern medical practices using animal products are also avoided
• Organ donation is acceptable, and blood donation is considered honourable

Hinduism

Hinduism is one of the world's oldest religions, practised by 13% of the world's population, predominantly in India. Physical health is nurtured through Ayurveda (described earlier). Similar to Buddhism, spiritual health is essential to Hinduism. Community worship, helping those in need, and societal welfare are considered more important than individual needs.

Hindu practices and beliefs:

• Sickness and injury are believed to be caused by karma – the spiritual principle of cause and effect where a person's intentions and actions influence their future
• Vegetarianism is common; non-vegetarians often avoid beef and pork
• Fasting is practised as a method of purifying the body
• Contraception is acceptable; many families prefer having sons, with some women continuing to have children until a son is born
• Artificial life support is discouraged as it interferes with karma
• Treatment by a medical practitioner of the same sex is preferred
• Women often consult their husbands for advice on medical matters

Islam

Islam is the second-largest religion globally, with over 1 billion believers. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and commit to the Five Pillars of Islam:

1. Bearing witness to the existence of one God and the prophethood of Muhammad
2. Praying five times daily
3. Giving alms to the poor
4. Fasting during the month of Ramadan
5. Performing a pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able

Through commitment to these five pillars, Muslims maintain belief and faith, social support, and the ability to lead healthy and productive lives.

Muslim practices and beliefs:

• For every illness there is a cure, except for ageing and dying
• Fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan (a month of intense prayer) brings the faithful closer to Allah, reminds them of the less fortunate, and develops self-control
• Traditional medicines, called "medicine of the prophet", serve as alternatives to modern medicine:
  • Black seed (black caraway) is believed to cure every ailment except death
  • Honey is listed in the Quran as a source of healing
  • Olive oil supports coronary health
  • Dates are used to break the fast during Ramadan
• Life is considered sacred:
  • Contraception is allowed
  • Abortion is not permitted unless there is risk of maternal mortality
  • Male circumcision is encouraged but not enforced
• Alcohol consumption is forbidden
• Pork consumption is forbidden
• Treatment by a medical practitioner of the same sex is preferred

Christianity (Catholicism)

Christianity encourages people to care for their health and wellbeing. The church teaches that life and physical health are precious gifts from God. Catholicism is the world's largest Christian denomination.

Catholic practices and beliefs:

• No particular dietary restrictions exist, although Catholics are encouraged to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent
• Fasting is expected on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
• Sexual activity is approved by God within marriage with the focus on procreation
• Most contraception methods are not supported by the Catholic Church
• Baptism (the sacrament of admission into Christianity) is very important, especially for babies experiencing poor health
• Administering the last rites (one of the sacraments) before death is considered very important