Health and Human Development

In this area of study, students explore health and wellbeing, and illness as complex, dynamic and subjective concepts. They reflect on both the universality of public health goals and the increasing influence of global conditions on Australians. Students develop their understanding of the indicators used to measure and evaluate health status, and the factors that contribute to variations in health status between different groups.

• concepts of health and wellbeing (physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions), illness, and the dynamic and subjective nature of these concepts
• benefits of optimal health and wellbeing and its importance as a resource individually, nationally and globally
• incidence
• prevalence
• morbidity
• burden of disease
• disability-adjusted life year (DALY)
• years of life lost (YLL)
• years lived with disability (YLD)
• life expectancy
• health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE)
• mortality (maternal, infant and under five)
• self-assessed health status
• biological, sociocultural and environmental factors that contribute to variations in health status between population groups
• smoking and vaping
• alcohol
• overweight and obesity
• nutritional imbalance (under-consumption of fruit and vegetables, and dairy foods; high intake of fat, salt and sugar; low intake of fibre).

In this area of study, students look at different approaches to public health over time, with an emphasis on changes and strategies that have succeeded in improving health outcomes. They examine the progression of public health in Australia since 1900, noting global changes and influences such as the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, and the general transition of focus from the health and wellbeing of individuals to that of population groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Students investigate the Australian health system and its role in promoting health and wellbeing. They apply their understanding of successful health promotion campaigns, programs and case studies to evaluate the ability of initiatives to identify priorities and improve health outcomes in Australia.

• 'old' public health
• the biomedical approach to health and improvements in medical technology
• the concept of the social model of health and the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (not including the principles of the social model of health)
• the role of health promotion in improving population health
• programs to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' health, including how they promote social justice
• initiatives to promote healthy eating in Australia, including the Australian Dietary Guidelines, the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide to Healthy Eating
• challenges in bringing about nutritional change, including sociocultural, environmental and commercial factors
• Australia's health system, including Medicare, private health insurance, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and its role in promoting health in terms of funding, sustainability, access and equity.

In this area of study, students explore similarities and differences in health status and human development in low-, middle- and high-income countries, including Australia. They investigate a range of factors that contribute to health inequalities and study the concepts of sustainability and the Human Development Index to further their understanding of health and human development in a global context. Students inquire into the effects of global trends on health and human development.

• the concept of human development
• advantages and limitations of the Human Development Index
• characteristics of low-, middle- and high-income countries
• similarities and differences in health status and human development in low-, middle- and high-income countries, including Australia
• access to safe water
• sanitation
• poverty
• discrimination (race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity)
• the concept and dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social and economic) and its role in the promotion of health and human development
• climate change (rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and increasing number of extreme weather events)
• conflict
• mass migration
• increased world trade (global distribution and marketing of tobacco products, e-cigarette products and processed foods)
• tourism
• digital technologies.

In this area of study, students look at action for promoting health globally. They consider the importance of and relationships between the UN's SDGs, focusing on their promotion of health and human development. Students investigate the goal and objectives of the WHO and evaluate Australia's aid program and the role of non-government organisations. They reflect on meaningful and achievable individual and social actions that could contribute to the work of national and international organisations that promote health and wellbeing.

• the importance of the UN's SDGs for health and human development in a global context
• key features of SDG 3 ('Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages')
• relationships between SDG 3 and SDGs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 12
• goal and objectives of the WHO
• the purpose and characteristics of different types of aid, including bilateral, multilateral and aid provided by non-government organisations providing humanitarian assistance, reducing poverty, improving human development and promoting health)
• the role of Australia's aid program in supporting the achievement of the SDGs and the partnerships involved
• features of effective aid programs
• ways in which individuals can engage with communities and/or national and international organisations to take individual and social action that promotes health and human development.