Question 1

There is virtually no difference in the health of low-income Americans who live a healthy lifestyle compared to their low-income counterparts who do not.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that income and socioeconomic status play a significant role in determining overall health outcomes. Low-income individuals who practice healthy behaviors such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet may still face health disparities due to factors such as limited access to healthcare and healthy food options. Social determinants of health such as income, education, and environment can have a significant impact on a person's health, regardless of their personal lifestyle choices.

Question 2

People are easily motivated to change their behaviour when offered monetary incentives.

Accepted Answer

While monetary incentives can motivate behavior change in the short term, they often do not lead to long-term behavior modification. People's motivations are complex and can include intrinsic factors that are not influenced by money.

Question 3

According to Anthony Giddens, human behaviour is determined by social structure and does not allow for the exercise of agency.

Accepted Answer

Anthony Giddens argues for the concept of "structuration," which acknowledges the relationship between human agency and social structures. He suggests that social structures are not fixed, but are constantly being reproduced and transformed through the actions of individuals. Therefore, individuals do exercise agency within social structures.

Question 4

The best way to improve people's health-related behaviours is to provide them with more accurate health-related information.

Accepted Answer

While providing accurate health-related information is important, behavior change often requires more comprehensive approaches, including motivation, social support, and environmental changes, as information alone may not address barriers to behavior change.

Question 5

Research from neuroscience shows that the brain sometimes determines action before the person has considered what they want to do, before he or she has become aware of that decision.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as "unconscious determinants of free decisions" and has been observed in various studies using brain imaging techniques. The brain can make decisions before the conscious mind has time to process the options and make a voluntary choice.

Question 6

Enstructuration refers to the availability of health-relevant resources built into neighbourhoods, (such as availability of walking spaces, parks, and clean air).

Accepted Answer

Enstructuration does not specifically refer to the availability of health-relevant resources in neighborhoods; it is not a commonly used term in public health or urban planning for describing environmental features. The concept you might be referring to is more accurately described by terms like "built environment" or "urban design," which encompass the availability of parks, walking spaces, and clean air.

Question 7

Most risky behaviour, such as smoking, binge drinking, or illicit drug use, is more common among less well-off people.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that risky behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking, and illicit drug use are more prevalent among individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Factors such as stress, lack of resources, and limited access to healthcare and education may contribute to these disparities.

Question 8

A methodologically individualist approach to health assumes free will-a capacity of the person to choose behaviours.

Accepted Answer

A methodologically individualist approach to health emphasizes the role of personal choice and individual agency in shaping health behaviors and outcomes. It assumes that individuals have the capacity to make conscious decisions about their behaviors and, as such, holds that health outcomes can largely be attributed to individual choices and actions. Thus, it is predicated upon the assumption of free will.

Question 9

The idea of a healthy lifestyle arose in the fifteenth century in China.

Accepted Answer

The idea of a healthy lifestyle dates back to ancient Greece, where the concept of "a sound mind in a sound body" was promoted. It was later adopted by the Romans and spread to other parts of the world over time.

Question 10

McDonald's and PepsiCo (owner of Frito-Lay and Gatorade) are at the forefront of voluntary anti-obesity initiatives inspired by nudge theory because they are highly motivated to preclude compulsory regulatory measures.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Both McDonald's and PepsiCo have implemented voluntary anti-obesity initiatives based on nudge theory in an effort to avoid potential compulsory regulatory measures that could be implemented by government entities.

Question 11

What is the Health Belief Model? Does this model rely on the social determinants of health perspective? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

How is our behaviour socially patterned? What are the implications for population health? Illustrate your answer with an example.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

How successful are incentives for modifying people's health-related behaviours? Illustrate your answer with an example.

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Some people suggest that, in order to improve population health, we need to provide more information about healthy options and better educate people about healthy behaviours. Do you agree or disagree with this approach? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

What is "nudging"? How useful is this strategy for improving population health?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Discuss the debates between agency/free will and structure/social context in shaping health-related behaviour. Where do you stand in these debates?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

Describe the history and the evolution of our understanding of "healthy lifestyle." Using specific examples, explain the usefulness of this approach to population health policy.

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Using specific examples, demonstrate what is problematic about assuming that our actions are guided by "rational" choices?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 14: Social Patterning of Behaviour