The Impact of Technological Change on Health
Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is ‘a state of total physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of illness and disease.’ Different definitions have been utilized for various purposes over the years. One of the most common usage of the word has been to denote the condition of being fit and healthy. Physical well being is an important factor in leading a healthy life. It includes being well nourished and having adequate levels of energy, having a positive attitude, and having a good sense of self worth.
Technological advancements have made up for some of the deficiencies of traditional education in health. The rise of the digital society has meant that people are spending more of their time in a highly mobile and fast paced environment. This has created major gaps in knowledge landscapes. It has led to several questions such as how health can be affected by digital technology?
Public health services include prevention, detection and treatment of diseases, injuries, and conditions that affect the population. Prevention of these diseases and conditions requires changes in lifestyle and attitude. It also requires that individuals create change through personal and community choices. The goals of public health services include the promotion of health, development of community well-being, maintenance of the nation’s ability to meet its health needs, and protection of the individual’s rights to health.
Technological advances have provided new answers to questions regarding the determinants of health. These technological advances have allowed researchers to study the effect of social determinants on health. Social determinants, such as poverty, educational level, race/ethnicity, gender, location, commuting distance, etc., have a large effect on health status and can explain differences in health. However, some of these social determinants cannot be altered. This makes it difficult to alter individual behavior and cause an improvement in health services.
Technological changes, however, have led to changes in life course choices and decisions. Technological change has also increased the opportunity to study life course choices and influence health. This has enabled researchers to study family life style, attitudes toward health, and attitudes regarding health, all of which have important influences on health needs and outcomes. Researchers have studied different aspects of family life style and attitudes toward health, including alcohol use, smoking, diet, exercise, and obesity. These studies have shown that attitudes toward health, family life style, and social factors that affect health have powerful impacts on health.
Technological changes, life course choices, and behaviors all impact health. By understanding and evaluating the influence of these factors, public health professionals can design programs that promote wellness. These programs include schools, parents, and society at large. Educators, for example, can develop lessons about physical education, healthy eating, and exercise that provide a healthy foundation for physical education in the classroom. Providing a healthy lifestyle for young people from a young age can have lasting impacts on their overall health and wellness into adulthood.
