Personal health: Practice Questions

Which of the following is a non-infectious disease that can often be prevented or managed through positive personal health choices, such as maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise?

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the interdependence of health dimensions by showing how mental well-being can directly impact physical health?

A city implements a policy to increase cycling paths to reduce automobile dependency. If this policy leads to a decrease in the community's average Body Mass Index (BMI), how does this transition specifically enhance the personal health of individuals at risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Which dimension is highlighted as crucial for a complete state of health, alongside physical well-being?

A diet consistently high in saturated fats and cholesterol significantly increases the risk of developing which non-infectious disease?

What is the main biological principle behind vaccination?

Explain the biological principle for controlling insulin-dependent diabetes.

While a healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial for personal health, explain how poor social determinants of health, such as lack of access to nutritious food and safe environments for physical activity, can significantly undermine an individual's ability to maintain good health and prevent non-infectious diseases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is more than just the absence of disease or infirmity.

(a) State the three dimensions of health included in the WHO definition. (3 points)
(b) Explain why a person who is physically fit might still be considered 'unhealthy' under this definition. (2 points)

A middle-aged executive is physically fit, with no diagnosed chronic diseases and a balanced diet. However, due to high work pressure and long working hours, he frequently experiences insomnia, feels isolated from his family, and finds it difficult to maintain positive relationships with his peers.

(a) Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health, evaluate whether this individual can be considered "healthy". Justify your answer by referencing the specific dimensions of health. (3 points)

(b) Explain the biological mechanism by which this individual's mental state could eventually lead to the development of a non-infectious physical disease, such as coronary heart disease. (2 points)

(c) Suggest two social or community-level factors that could be improved to enhance the social well-being of individuals in such high-stress occupations. (2 points)