Assess the relative importance of human and physical factors in creating global patterns of health and morbidity - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 4 - 2022 - Paper 2

To assess the relative importance of human and physical factors in global patterns of health and morbidity, we can follow a structured approach:

Introduction

Begin by defining key terms such as 'health', 'morbidity', and 'global patterns'. Discuss the significance of assessing factors that influence these patterns.

Human Factors

1. Socioeconomic Status: Explore how income levels, education, and access to healthcare influence health outcomes. For instance, in high-income countries, lower morbidity rates are often linked to better healthcare systems.

2. Lifestyle Choices: Discuss the impact of diets, physical activity, and smoking on health. Lifestyle-related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are prevalent in societies with unhealthy lifestyles.

3. Policy and Governance: Analyze how government policies on health can affect morbidity. Effective health governance can improve public health through vaccination programs and health education.

Physical Factors

1. Environmental Conditions: Discuss the effect of climate and geography on health. For example, areas with higher rainfall may have more vector-borne diseases due to mosquitoes.

2. Access to Resources: Consider the availability of clean water and sanitation. Regions lacking these resources often face higher morbidity due to preventable diseases.

3. Shocks and Disasters: Assess how natural disasters can cause immediate health crises, affecting mortality and morbidity rates.

Interaction Between Factors

Examine how human factors can mitigate or exacerbate physical factors. For instance, better health infrastructure can reduce the impact of environmental challenges.

Conclusion

Summarize the interplay between human and physical factors. Conclude by emphasizing that a holistic approach is necessary to understand global health patterns effectively.