Health Management and Social Care Study Notes

Topic 2C: Why Are We More Vulnerable? Lifestyle, Globalization & Family Changes

Hello everyone! Welcome to your study notes for a really important topic. Ever wonder why certain health problems seem more common today than in your grandparents' time? In this chapter, we're going to explore just that!

We'll look at three big-picture changes in our world that can make people more vulnerable (meaning more at risk or unprotected) to health and social problems. These are:

1. Lifestyle Changes: How our daily habits affect our health.
2. Globalization: How our interconnected world brings new health challenges.
3. Family Changes: How the modern family structure impacts our well-being.

Understanding these ideas is super important because it helps us see why we need health and social care services, and how we can make smarter choices for ourselves and our community. Let's get started!


Part 1: Lifestyle Changes and Illness - "We Are What We Do"

Our daily routines and habits – our lifestyle – have a massive impact on our health. As society has developed, our lifestyles have changed dramatically, and this has led to different kinds of health risks.

Communicable vs. Non-Communicable Diseases

First, let's get two key terms straight. Don't worry, it's easy!

  • Communicable Diseases: These are illnesses you can "catch" from someone or something else. They are infectious.
    Think of it like passing a note in class – it spreads from person to person. Examples: the common cold, flu, food poisoning.

  • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): These are illnesses you can't "catch". They often develop over a long time, partly because of our lifestyle and genetics.
    Think of it like a phone battery that slowly loses its ability to hold a charge over years of use. Examples: heart disease, cancer, diabetes.
How Our Lifestyle Increases Risk of Communicable Diseases

You might think modern life would make us safer from germs, but some habits actually increase our risk:

  • Colds & Flu: In Hong Kong, we often travel on crowded MTRs and buses. This close contact makes it very easy for viruses to spread from person to person, especially if people don't cover their mouths when they cough.

  • Food Poisoning: Many people in Hong Kong eat out frequently. While convenient, this means we rely on the hygiene of restaurant kitchens. If food isn't prepared or stored correctly, it can lead to outbreaks of food poisoning.

  • AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): This is a serious disease spread through bodily fluids. Lifestyle choices, such as engaging in unprotected sex, are a primary factor in its transmission.
How Our Lifestyle Increases Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

This is a huge issue in modern societies like Hong Kong. Our "convenient" lifestyle often comes with hidden health costs.

  • Heart Disease & Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Often linked to the "Three Highs" in our diet: high fat, high salt, and high sugar. Think fast food, salty snacks, and sugary drinks. A sedentary lifestyle (sitting for long hours studying, working, or playing video games) with little exercise also makes these conditions more likely.

  • Cancer: Certain lifestyle choices are strong risk factors. For example, smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. A poor diet, lacking in fruits and vegetables but high in processed meats, can also increase the risk for some cancers.

Quick Review Box
Key Lifestyle Risks:
- Poor Diet: Too much fat, salt, sugar.
- Lack of Exercise: Sedentary habits (sitting too much).
- High Stress: Pressure from school or work.
- Risky Behaviours: Smoking, unprotected sex.


Key Takeaway for Part 1

Our modern daily habits, like what we eat and how little we move, are making us more vulnerable to both infectious diseases and long-term illnesses like heart disease and cancer.


Part 2: Globalization - "A Smaller World, Bigger Problems?"

Globalization is the idea that the world is becoming more and more connected through travel, trade, and technology. Think about it: you can fly to the other side of the world in a day, buy products made in another country, and talk to someone overseas instantly.

Analogy: Imagine the world is a giant spiderweb. A long time ago, the threads didn't connect much. Now, everything is linked. If you touch one part of the web, the vibrations can be felt everywhere else.

Mobility and the Spreading of Communicable Diseases

One of the biggest health impacts of globalization is how quickly diseases can spread.

Step-by-step example: 1. A new, contagious virus emerges in Country A. 2. An infected person, who doesn't feel sick yet, gets on a plane to Hong Kong for a business trip. 3. They arrive in Hong Kong, a busy international hub, and travel on the MTR, go to meetings, and eat in restaurants. 4. They unknowingly spread the virus to many other people. 5. Those people then travel to other countries, and the disease becomes a global problem (a pandemic).

This is exactly what we saw with diseases like SARS in 2003 and more recently with COVID-19. Because we are so mobile, a local outbreak can become a global crisis in weeks.

Effect on Vulnerable Groups in Developing Countries

Globalization isn't just about travel; it's also about economics. Companies often move their factories to developing countries to lower their costs. While this can create jobs, it can also make local people more vulnerable.

  • Low Wages & Poor Conditions: Workers might be paid very little and work in unsafe conditions. This can lead to injuries, stress, and exposure to harmful chemicals.

  • Poverty and Health: Low wages mean people can't afford nutritious food, clean water, or healthcare. This makes them and their children weaker and more susceptible to illness. Their poor health makes it hard to work, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

Did You Know?
Globalization also spreads culture, including food culture! The global spread of Western fast-food chains is a major factor contributing to the rise of non-communicable diseases (like obesity and heart disease) all over the world.


Key Takeaway for Part 2

Globalization connects our world, but this allows diseases to travel at jet speed. Its economic effects can also harm the health of the most vulnerable people in poorer countries by creating cycles of low wages and poor health.


Part 3: Family Changes - "Our Changing Support Systems"

The "typical" family has changed a lot. In the past, many people lived in large, extended families with grandparents, aunts, and uncles nearby. Today in Hong Kong, families are often smaller (nuclear families) or may have different structures.

Family Disintegration & Single-Parent Households

Family disintegration refers to the breakdown of a family unit, for example, through divorce or separation. This often leads to single-parent households, where one parent is responsible for raising the children. These changes can increase vulnerability in several ways:

  • Emotional and Mental Strain: The stress of a family breaking up can cause anxiety and depression for both adults and children. There is less emotional support available within the home.

  • Financial Hardship: Supporting a family on a single income is tough. This can mean less money for healthy food, doctor's visits, or even safe housing, making the family more vulnerable to health problems.

  • Reduced Social Support: A single parent has less time and energy. They might struggle to supervise their children, help with homework, or care for an elderly relative. This lack of support is a key social care issue.
Role Confusions & Contradictory Cultural Values

These changes can also create confusion and conflict within families.

  • Role Confusion: When family structures change, traditional roles can become blurred. For example, an older child in a single-parent family might have to take on adult responsibilities, like caring for younger siblings. This can be very stressful and cause them to miss out on their childhood.

  • Contradictory Cultural Values: In Hong Kong, we are influenced by both traditional Chinese values and modern Western values.
    Example: Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes family loyalty and caring for elders (filial piety). Modern Western culture often emphasizes individualism and personal freedom. The clash between these values can create tension. A young person might feel torn between their duty to their family and their desire to pursue their own career overseas, leading to family conflict and stress.

Common Mistake to Avoid!
It's easy to see these changes as "bad." But our job isn't to judge people's family situations. The goal is to understand how these societal shifts create new challenges and increase the need for health and social support services for families.


Key Takeaway for Part 3

Modern changes to family structures, such as rising rates of divorce and single-parent households, can reduce the financial, emotional, and social support that people rely on, making them more vulnerable to a range of health and well-being issues.


Chapter Summary & Memory Aid

We've learned that increases in our vulnerability to health problems are not random. They are linked to major changes in how we live our lives.

To remember the three main factors, just think L-G-F!

L - Lifestyle: Our choices about diet, exercise, and risky behaviours.
G - Globalization: Our connected world spreading diseases and economic pressures.
F - Family: Our changing family structures affecting our support networks.

By understanding these root causes, we can better identify who needs help and create more effective health and social care solutions. Well done for working through this topic!