Explain the responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments in creating supportive environments to promote health. Support your answer with examples. ( 8 marks)
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Individual Responsibilities:
- Individuals must adopt health-promoting behaviours that create safe environments for themselves and others. This occurs when people apply health literacy to make informed decisions.
- For example, a parent choosing active transport to school reduces vehicle emissions and models healthy physical activity patterns. This leads to improved air quality and encourages children to adopt active lifestyles.
Community Responsibilities:
- Communities must advocate for and support their members through accessible programs and resources. This enables individuals to access culturally appropriate health services.
- For instance, neighbourhood walking groups organised by local councils provide social connection and physical activity opportunities. Consequently, participants experience improved mental and physical health through regular engagement and peer support networks.
Government Responsibilities:
- Governments must develop and enforce policies that facilitate health-promoting environments. This works through legislation creating safe public spaces and restricting harmful exposures.
- For example, mandatory bicycle helmet laws and dedicated cycling infrastructure protect cyclists from injury whilst encouraging active transport adoption. As a result, communities experience reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and increased population physical activity levels.
Collective Impact:
- These responsibilities work together to create comprehensive supportive environments. The significance is that sustained health improvements require coordinated action across all three levels rather than isolated individual efforts.
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Individual Responsibilities:
- Individuals must adopt health-promoting behaviours that create safe environments for themselves and others. This occurs when people apply health literacy to make informed decisions.
- For example, a parent choosing active transport to school reduces vehicle emissions and models healthy physical activity patterns. This leads to improved air quality and encourages children to adopt active lifestyles.
Community Responsibilities:
- Communities must advocate for and support their members through accessible programs and resources. This enables individuals to access culturally appropriate health services.
- For instance, neighbourhood walking groups organised by local councils provide social connection and physical activity opportunities. Consequently, participants experience improved mental and physical health through regular engagement and peer support networks.
Government Responsibilities:
- Governments must develop and enforce policies that facilitate health-promoting environments. This works through legislation creating safe public spaces and restricting harmful exposures.
- For example, mandatory bicycle helmet laws and dedicated cycling infrastructure protect cyclists from injury whilst encouraging active transport adoption. As a result, communities experience reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality and increased population physical activity levels.
Collective Impact:
- These responsibilities work together to create comprehensive supportive environments. The significance is that sustained health improvements require coordinated action across all three levels rather than isolated individual efforts.