Module 1
  Definitions and Concepts

Content Discussion
Exploring the Three Models

This table illustrates that these perspectives on health influence the ways in which health issues are defined.

Table 3.1: Leading Health Problems by Three Models of Health
Biomedical Model	Behavioural Model	Socio-environmental Model
cardiovascular diseases cancer HIV/AIDS stroke diabetes obesity hypertension etc.	smoking poor eating habits physical inactivity substance abuse poor stress coping lack of lifeskills etc.	poverty unemployment powerlessness isolation environmental pollution stressors hazardous living and working conditions etc.

Just as these models influence the ways in which health issues are defined, they also influence the choice of strategies and actions for addressing health issues.

To return to our heart disease example, Table 3.2 illustrates the recommended course of action for addressing this issue suggested by each of the three models.

Table 3.2: Three Approaches to Reducing Heart Disease
Health Model	Causes of Problem	Principal Strategies to Address Problem
Biomedical	hypertension family history hypercholestrolemia	treatment drugs low salt/low cholestrol dietary regimen
Behavioural	lifestyle smoking high fat diet low level of physical activity high stress levels	health education health communication self-help/mutual aid advocacy for health public policies supporting lifestyle choices (e.g., workplace smoking bans)
Socio-environmental	living conditions working conditions social isolation	policy change advocacy community mobilization self-help/mutual aid

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