Biomedical and Health Behaviours

HMS, HIC 2012 HSC 4 MC

Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor of cardiovascular disease?

Age
Diet
Gender
Heredity

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\(B\)

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B is correct: Diet is a modifiable behavioural risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Other Options:

A is incorrect: Age is a non-modifiable demographic risk factor.
C is incorrect: Gender is a non-modifiable biological risk factor.
D is incorrect: Heredity is a non-modifiable genetic risk factor.

HMS, HIC 2015 HSC 17 MC

Which combination of factors is most likely to account for the difference in life expectancy of females and males in Australia today?

Males are less likely to engage in unsafe behaviours and less likely to visit a doctor regularly.
Females are less likely to engage in unsafe behaviours and more likely to visit a doctor regularly.
Males are more likely to work in lower risk occupations and more likely to participate in organised physical activity.
Females are more likely to work in lower risk occupations and less likely to participate in organised physical activity.

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\(B\)

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B is correct: Females have safer behaviours and better health-seeking patterns.

Other Options:

A is incorrect: Males are more likely to engage in unsafe behaviours.
C is incorrect: Males work in higher risk occupations generally.
D is incorrect: Females are more likely to seek medical care.

HMS, HIC 2020 HSC 32ai

Outline how the quality of the early years of life can contribute to health inequities in Australia. (3 marks)

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Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.

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Poor early childhood conditions create lasting health inequities by establishing disadvantage cycles.
Low-income families lacking quality prenatal care produce higher rates of low birth weight babies, creating lifelong health complications and increased healthcare needs.
Children in disadvantaged areas face environmental hazards and limited nutritious food access, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes.
Educational disadvantage reduces future employment opportunities and health literacy, preventing families from breaking inequality cycles.
These early disadvantages compound over time, creating permanent health gaps between socioeconomic groups across Australian society.

♦♦ Mean mark 47%.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 124

Outline how the interaction of socioeconomic and biomedical determinants could adversely affect the health of an individual. (3 marks)

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Low-income individuals with genetic predisposition to diabetes cannot afford regular blood glucose monitoring or healthy food options. This leads to poor disease management and increased risk of complications such as kidney disease and cardiovascular problems.
A person with lower limb amputation from a low socioeconomic background may lack access to quality prosthetics and rehabilitation services. This causes reduced mobility, increased risk of secondary injuries and social isolation affecting mental health.
Individuals with hereditary high cholesterol in financially disadvantaged families cannot afford cholesterol-lowering medications or heart-healthy diets. This increases their risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke at younger ages.

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Low-income individuals with genetic predisposition to diabetes cannot afford regular blood glucose monitoring or healthy food options. This leads to poor disease management and increased risk of complications such as kidney disease and cardiovascular problems.
A person with lower limb amputation from a low socioeconomic background may lack access to quality prosthetics and rehabilitation services. This causes reduced mobility, increased risk of secondary injuries and social isolation affecting mental health.
Individuals with hereditary high cholesterol in financially disadvantaged families cannot afford cholesterol-lowering medications or heart-healthy diets. This increases their risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke at younger ages.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 117

Explain how health inequities can result from differences in health behaviours across population groups in Australia. (5 marks)

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Rural vs city populations

Higher tobacco use in remote areas compared to major cities causes increased rates of respiratory diseases and cancers in rural populations, creating a geographic health inequity.
This occurs because smoking and its significant health dangers are concentrated in these communities, leading to an increased disease burden.

English speaking vs Non-English speaking populations

Lower physical activity participation among people from non-English speaking backgrounds versus Australian-born residents causes higher cardiovascular disease rates in culturally diverse communities.
This inequity develops because reduced fitness levels lead to poorer health outcomes, including an increase in heart and respiratory issues.

Higher vs lower socioeconomic populations

Similarly, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in lower socioeconomic areas versus higher areas, causes nutritional inequities that result in increased chronic disease.
This occurs because nutrients aren’t high in diets, allowing preventable diseases to develop unchecked.
These behaviour-related health outcomes create persistent inequities that are systematically reinforced through social determinants.

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Rural vs city populations

Higher tobacco use in remote areas compared to major cities causes increased rates of respiratory diseases and cancers in rural populations, creating a geographic health inequity.
This occurs because smoking and its significant health dangers are concentrated in these communities, leading to an increased disease burden.

English speaking vs Non-English speaking populations

Lower physical activity participation among people from non-English speaking backgrounds versus Australian-born residents causes higher cardiovascular disease rates in culturally diverse communities.
This inequity develops because reduced fitness levels lead to poorer health outcomes, including an increase in heart and respiratory issues.

Higher vs lower socioeconomic populations

Similarly, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption in lower socioeconomic areas versus higher areas, causes nutritional inequities that result in increased chronic disease.
This occurs because nutrients aren’t high in diets, allowing preventable diseases to develop unchecked.
These behaviour-related health outcomes create persistent inequities that are systematically reinforced through social determinants.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 116

Outline TWO inequities related to biomedical factors of health in Australia and suggest one way each could be addressed. (4 marks)

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Socioeconomic status

People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas have significantly higher rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas.
This could be addressed through targeted community health programs offering free blood pressure screening and management education in lower socioeconomic areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status:

Indigenous peoples are four times more likely than other Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This could be addressed through culturally appropriate diabetes prevention programs. These initiatives should be led by Aboriginal health workers, focusing on early detection, management, and include traditional approaches to nutrition and physical activity.

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Socioeconomic status

People living in the lowest socioeconomic areas have significantly higher rates of uncontrolled high blood pressure compared to those in the highest socioeconomic areas.
This could be addressed through targeted community health programs offering free blood pressure screening and management education in lower socioeconomic areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status:

Indigenous peoples are four times more likely than other Australians to have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
This could be addressed through culturally appropriate diabetes prevention programs. These initiatives should be led by Aboriginal health workers, focusing on early detection, management, and include traditional approaches to nutrition and physical activity.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 115

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.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 114

Describe what is meant by health behaviours as a determinant of health. (2 marks)

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Outline THREE health behaviours that have shown positive trends among young Australians in recent years. (3 marks)

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a. Health behaviours as a determinant of health:

Health behaviours in this context refer to individual beliefs and actions regarding health and wellbeing.
The behaviours can act as protective factors reducing illness risk or as risk factors increasing likelihood of injury or disease.
The behaviours directly influence overall health status.

b. Answers could include 3 of the following:

Alcohol consumption has improved with an increasing number of 14-24 year olds abstaining completely from alcohol consumption, reducing their risk of alcohol-related harm.
Tobacco smoking rates have declined significantly, with over 85% of Australians aged 18 and over not smoking daily, contributing to reduced disease burden.
Sexual practices have shown positive trends with increased condom use over the last decade. This trend indicates young people have greater protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy, resulting in declining HIV and hepatitis C rates.
Fruit consumption among children aged 5-14 has shown positive trends with nearly three-quarters meeting the recommended daily intake. This demonstrates improved nutritional awareness and potentially better long-term health outcomes.

Show Worked Solution

a. Health behaviours as a determinant of health:

Health behaviours in this context refer to individual beliefs and actions regarding health and wellbeing.
The behaviours can act as protective factors reducing illness risk or as risk factors increasing likelihood of injury or disease.
The behaviours directly influence overall health status.

b. Answers could include 3 of the following:

Alcohol consumption has improved with an increasing number of 14-24 year olds abstaining completely from alcohol consumption, reducing their risk of alcohol-related harm.
Tobacco smoking rates have declined significantly, with over 85% of Australians aged 18 and over not smoking daily, contributing to reduced disease burden.
Sexual practices have shown positive trends with increased condom use over the last decade. This trend indicates young people have greater protection against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy, resulting in declining HIV and hepatitis C rates.
Fruit consumption among children aged 5-14 has shown positive trends with nearly three-quarters meeting the recommended daily intake. This demonstrates improved nutritional awareness and potentially better long-term health outcomes.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 63

Complete the following table that identifies the determinants of health of young people and provides examples of each. (3 marks)

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\begin{array} {|l|l|}
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Determinant of Health}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Example}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Health behaviour} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Blood pressure} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Proximity to support networks}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Homelessness} \\
\hline
\end{array}

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\begin{array} {|l|l|}
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \textbf{Determinant of Health} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \textbf{Example} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Health behaviour} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Physical activity/sedentary behaviour} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Biomedical factor} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Blood pressure} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Environmental factor} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Proximity to support networks} \\
\hline
\rule{0pt}{2.5ex} \text{Socioeconomic factor} \rule[-1ex]{0pt}{0pt} & \text{Homelessness} \\
\hline
\end{array}

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HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 020

Explain how a person's biomedical factors and health behaviours might interact to affect their cardiovascular health. (5 marks)

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*PEEL – Solution is structured using an adjusted PEEL method to show cause and effect: [P] State the cause/factor [E] Show how it causes the effect [Ev] Evidence demonstrating why/how [L] Reinforce the causal relationship.

**Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

[P] Genetic high cholesterol can combine with dietary choices, causing adverse health effects.
[E] It can lead to either controlled or dangerous cholesterol levels in blood vessels.
[Ev] This occurs because eating saturated fats adds to genetic cholesterol production, whereas better diets such as the Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, can reduce it by 30%.
[L] This shows a clear connection between inherited risk factors, daily food choices and heart disease
[P] A person’s genetic cardiovascular capacity interacts directly with their exercise habits.
[E] This causes improved or declining heart muscle function.
[Ev] As a result, people exercising 150 minutes weekly strengthen their hearts and lower resting heart rate, while inactive people with poor genetic cardiovascular capacity develop weak hearts.
[L] These elements work together to determine overall cardiovascular strength and endurance.
[P] Stress hormone production has an important connection with coping behaviours.
[E] This interplay can produce healthy or poor blood pressure levels.
[Ev] The reason for this is high level coping mechanisms can significantly lower cortisol levels (and blood pressure) while poor stress management keeps hormones elevated, damaging arteries and producing high blood pressure.
[L] This demonstrates why biological stress response and behavioural management techniques have a material impact on heart attack and stroke risk.

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**Language highlighting the cause-effect relationship is bolded in the answer below.

[P] Genetic high cholesterol can combine with dietary choices, causing adverse health effects.
[E] It can lead to either controlled or dangerous cholesterol levels in blood vessels.
[Ev] This occurs because eating saturated fats adds to genetic cholesterol production, whereas better diets such as the Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, can reduce it by 30%.
[L] This shows a clear connection between inherited risk factors, daily food choices and heart disease
[P] A person’s genetic cardiovascular capacity interacts directly with their exercise habits.
[E] This causes improved or declining heart muscle function.
[Ev] As a result, people exercising 150 minutes weekly strengthen their hearts and lower resting heart rate, while inactive people with poor genetic cardiovascular capacity develop weak hearts.
[L] These elements work together to determine overall cardiovascular strength and endurance.
[P] Stress hormone production has an important connection with coping behaviours.
[E] This interplay can produce healthy or poor blood pressure levels.
[Ev] The reason for this is high level coping mechanisms can significantly lower cortisol levels (and blood pressure) while poor stress management keeps hormones elevated, damaging arteries and producing high blood pressure.
[L] This demonstrates why biological stress response and behavioural management techniques have a material impact on heart attack and stroke risk.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 019

How do environmental factors and health behaviours interact to influence an individual's risk of developing skin cancer in Australia. (5 marks)

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*Cause-and-effect language that directly addresses the “How” (unofficial) keyword is bolded in the answer below.

Australia’s location causes intense UV radiation exposure. This is due to our proximity to the equator combined with ozone depletion, resulting in UV levels 40% higher than Europe. This leads to Australia having the world’s highest melanoma rates.
Sun protection behaviours directly mitigate environmental risk. When people apply SPF30+ sunscreen, this blocks 97% of UV rays. As a result, regular users experience much lower melanoma risk.
Conversely, avoiding protection causes UV damage accumulation, triggering cancer development.
Built environments determine how exposure occurs. First, a lack of shade results in direct sunlight exposure. This then leads to increased peak-hour UV contact. Subsequently, shade structures reduce UV exposure, resulting in safer outdoor activities.
Cultural norms influence behaviours through social pressure. This works by beach culture promoting tanned skin, which causes sun-seeking behaviour. Despite education campaigns, this influence leads to many young people pursuing tans and thereby increasing their lifetime melanoma risk.

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*Cause-and-effect language that directly addresses the “How” (unofficial) keyword is bolded in the answer below.

Australia’s location causes intense UV radiation exposure. This is due to our proximity to the equator combined with ozone depletion, resulting in UV levels 40% higher than Europe. This leads to Australia having the world’s highest melanoma rates.
Sun protection behaviours directly mitigate environmental risk. When people apply SPF30+ sunscreen, this blocks 97% of UV rays. As a result, regular users experience much lower melanoma risk.
Conversely, avoiding protection causes UV damage accumulation, triggering cancer development.
Built environments determine how exposure occurs. First, a lack of shade results in direct sunlight exposure. This then leads to increased peak-hour UV contact. Subsequently, shade structures reduce UV exposure, resulting in safer outdoor activities.
Cultural norms influence behaviours through social pressure. This works by beach culture promoting tanned skin, which causes sun-seeking behaviour. Despite education campaigns, this influence leads to many young people pursuing tans and thereby increasing their lifetime melanoma risk.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 018 MC

A long-term study of Australian adults found that individuals who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to develop anxiety disorders in adulthood. This relationship remained significant even when controlling for education level, income and current lifestyle factors.

Further analysis revealed that these individuals exhibited altered stress hormone responses and changes in brain structure compared to those without trauma history.

Which combination of health determinants best explains this complex health outcome?

Biomedical factors and environmental factors
Health behaviours and socioeconomic characteristics
Broad features of society and health behaviours
Environmental factors and health behaviours

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\(A\)

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A is correct. The altered stress hormone responses and brain changes represent biomedical factors (physiological changes), while childhood trauma represents environmental factors (early life exposures).

Other options:
B is incorrect because while education and income (socioeconomic characteristics) are mentioned, the study controlled for these factors, indicating they aren’t the primary explanatory variables.
C is incorrect because broad features of society aren’t specifically addressed, and health behaviours were controlled for in the analysis.
D is incorrect because while environmental factors (childhood trauma) are key, health behaviours were controlled for, suggesting they aren’t primary explanatory factors for the relationship.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 016 MC

A 50-year-old woman undergoes genetic testing and discovers she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation. Her doctor recommends more frequent breast cancer screenings as a preventative measure.

This scenario most directly relates to which determinant of health?

Broad features of society
Environmental factors
Biomedical factors
Health behaviours

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\(C\)

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C is correct. Genetic predispositions, such as carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation, are biomedical factors. These are physiological characteristics that influence health outcomes.

Other options:

A is incorrect as broad features of society relate to cultural and policy aspects of health.
B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to external exposures rather than genetic makeup.
D is incorrect as health behaviours relate to actions rather than genetic characteristics.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 015 MC

A 35-year-old male is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine. His doctor explains that his condition is related to his body's inability to produce insulin.

Which determinant of health is primarily responsible for his condition?

Health behaviours
Biomedical factors
Environmental factors
Socioeconomic characteristics

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\(B\)

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B is correct because diabetes is a biomedical factor \(\Rightarrow\) it relates to physiological and pathological processes in the body.

Other options:

A is incorrect because the scenario explicitly states that despite healthy behaviours, the man developed diabetes.
C is incorrect as there is no indication of environmental influence in this case.
D is incorrect as socioeconomic status is not mentioned as contributing to the condition.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 014 MC

A 45-year-old female attends her general practitioner for a check-up. The doctor notices she has gained 8kg since her last visit and recommends she increases her daily physical activity levels from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Which determinant of health is the doctor primarily addressing?

Biomedical factors
Environmental factors
Health behaviours
Socioeconomic characteristics

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\(C\)

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C is correct because an increase in physical activity is a health behaviour. Physical activity is an action that individuals can choose to engage in that directly affects their health status.

Other options:

A is incorrect as biomedical factors relate to genetic, physiological, or pathological aspects.
B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to surroundings rather than individual actions.
D is incorrect as socioeconomic characteristics relate to social and economic standing.

HMS, HIC EQ-Bank 013 MC

A recent health study found that 31% of Australians aged 14 and over consumed alcohol in ways that put their health at risk in 2022-2023. This is lower than in 2004, when the figure was 39%.

Which health determinant is directly being measured in this study?

Broad features of society
Environmental factors
Socioeconomic characteristics
Health behaviours

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\(D\)

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D is correct because the study is measuring alcohol consumption patterns, which is a health behaviour.
Health behaviours refer to actions individuals take that affect their health, such as alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity and dietary choices.

Other options:

A is incorrect as broad features of society refers to cultural norms, policies and societal structures.
B is incorrect as environmental factors relate to physical, chemical, biological and built environments.
C is incorrect as socioeconomic characteristics refer to income, education and occupation.