- Describe what is meant by biomedical factors as determinants of health. (2 marks)
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- Outline THREE biomedical risk factors that can influence health outcomes for Australians and how these risks might be addressed by an individual. (3 marks)
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a. Biomedical factors as determinants of health:
- Biomedical factors are easily observed bodily markers that identify a person’s risk of disease and health potential.
- Testing for these markers can be done through common medical procedures such as blood tests, genetic screening and MRI’s.
- Biomedical risk factors interact with lifestyle behaviours to either protect health or increase disease susceptibility.
- These factors can be considered limited because while they identify risks of disease, they don’t take into account other dimensions of health.
b. Answers could include:
- Genetics significantly influences health by determining a person’s susceptibility to various diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Once known, people can actively mitigate the risk factors through lifestyle choices.
- Blood pressure levels affect cardiovascular health, with approximately one-third of Australian adults living with high blood pressure (hypertension). Lifestyle changes, such as more physical exercise, can help reduce an individual’s blood pressure and risk of heart attack.
- Cholesterol levels, particularly the balance between HDL and LDL cholesterol, impact heart health and cause coronary heart disease if not managed properly. An improved diet that reduces saturated fat intake, is an effective way to address this biomedical risk factor.
Show Worked Solution
a. Biomedical factors as determinants of health:
- Biomedical factors are easily observed bodily markers that identify a person’s risk of disease and health potential.
- Testing for these markers can be done through common medical procedures such as blood tests, genetic screening and MRI’s.
- Biomedical risk factors interact with lifestyle behaviours to either protect health or increase disease susceptibility.
- These factors can be considered limited because while they identify risks of disease, they don’t take into account other dimensions of health.
b. Answers could include:
- Genetics significantly influences health by determining a person’s susceptibility to various diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Once known, people can actively mitigate the risk factors through lifestyle choices.
- Blood pressure levels affect cardiovascular health, with approximately one-third of Australian adults living with high blood pressure (hypertension). Lifestyle changes, such as more physical exercise, can help reduce an individual’s blood pressure and risk of heart attack.
- Cholesterol levels, particularly the balance between HDL and LDL cholesterol, impact heart health and cause coronary heart disease if not managed properly. An improved diet that reduces saturated fat intake, is an effective way to address this biomedical risk factor.