Unit 1: Understanding health and wellbeing

In this unit, you will explore health and wellbeing as a concept with varied and evolving perspectives and definitions. You will come to understand that it occurs in many contexts and is subject to a wide range of interpretations, with different meanings for different people. As a foundation to your understanding of health, you will investigate the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition and other interpretations. You also explore the fundamental conditions required for health as stated by the WHO, which provide a social justice lens for exploring health inequities.

In this unit, you identify perspectives relating to health and wellbeing, and inquire into factors that influence health attitudes, beliefs and practices, including among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. You look at multiple dimensions of health and wellbeing, the complex interplay of influences on health outcomes and the indicators used to measure and evaluate health status. With a focus on youth, the unit equips you to consider your own health as individuals and as a cohort. You build health literacy by interpreting and using data in a research investigation into one youth health focus area, and by investigating the role of food.

Unit 2: Managing health and development

In this unit, you will investigate transitions in health and wellbeing, and human development, from lifespan and societal perspectives. You explore the changes and expectations that are integral to the progression from youth to adulthood. You apply health literacy skills through an examination of adulthood as a time of increasing independence and responsibility, involving the establishment of long-term relationships, possible considerations of parenthood and management of health-related milestones and changes.

You will explore health literacy through an investigation of the Australian healthcare system from the perspective of youth and analyse health information. You will investigate the challenges and opportunities presented by digital media and consider issues surrounding the use of health data and access to quality health care.

Unit 3: Australia’s health in a globalised world

In this unit, you look at health and wellbeing, disease and illness as being multidimensional, dynamic and subject to different interpretations and contexts. You will explore health and wellbeing as a global concept and take a broader approach to inquiry. Additionally, consider the benefits of optimal health and wellbeing and its importance as an individual and a collective resource. You will extend this to health as a universal right, analysing and evaluating variations in the health status of Australians.

A focus on health promotion and improvements in population health over time will be covered. Through researching health improvements and evaluating successful programs, you explore various public health approaches and the interdependence of different models. While the emphasis is on the Australian health system, the progression of change in public health approaches should be seen within a global context.

Unit 4: Health and human development in a global context

In this unit, you will examine health and human development in a global context. You use data to investigate health status and human development in different countries, exploring factors that contribute to health inequalities between and within countries, including the physical, social and economic conditions in which people live. You build your understanding of health in a global context through examining changes in health status over time and studying the key concept of sustainability. You consider the health implications of increased globalisation and worldwide trends relating to climate change, digital technologies, world trade, tourism, conflict and the mass movement of people.

You will consider global action to improve health and human development, focusing on the United Nations’ (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO). You also investigate the role of non-government organisations and Australia’s overseas aid program, and evaluate the effectiveness of health initiatives and programs in a global context and reflect on your own capacity to act.