WACE Health Studies ATAR key terms

A person's overall physical, mental, social and emotional condition, shaped by their circumstances and choices, not merely the absence of disease or illness.

The extent to which someone feels satisfied and functions well across physical, emotional, social, spiritual and material aspects of their life.

A summary measure of how healthy an individual or population is at a point in time, usually described using mortality, morbidity and self-rated health data.

The incidence or prevalence of illness, injury or disability within a population, describing how much disease exists rather than how many people die.

The number of deaths in a population over a given period, often expressed as a rate per 1000 or 100 000 people to allow comparison between groups.

The average number of years a person is expected to live if current death rates in their population remain unchanged throughout their lifetime.

A measure of the total health loss caused by disease, injury and risk factors, combining years lost to early death with years lived in poor health.

A single unit counting one year of healthy life lost, either through premature death or through living with illness or disability, used to compare health problems.

The number of new cases of a disease or condition arising in a defined population during a specified period, useful for tracking emerging health problems.

The total number of existing cases of a disease or condition in a population at a particular time, showing how widespread the problem currently is.

The range of personal, social, economic and environmental factors that influence the health of individuals and populations and can be modified or unmodified.

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including income, education, employment, housing and social support, that shape health outcomes.

A person's or group's social and economic position, usually judged by income, occupation and education, which strongly predicts health outcomes and access to services.

Any behaviour, characteristic or exposure that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury, such as smoking, poor diet or physical inactivity.

A condition or behaviour that reduces the chance of poor health outcomes or buffers the impact of risk, such as strong social connections or regular exercise.

Differences in health status between groups that are avoidable, unjust and caused by unfair distribution of resources and opportunities rather than biology.

A measurable difference in health status between individuals or groups, which may or may not be unfair depending on its cause and whether it could be prevented.

Fairness in health, recognising that people with different needs and circumstances may require different levels and types of support to reach similar health outcomes.

Treating everyone the same and giving identical resources or opportunities, regardless of their starting point or level of need.

The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health, combining education, policy, environments and community action rather than focusing on individuals alone.

A landmark international statement identifying five action areas for health promotion: healthy public policy, supportive environments, community action, personal skills and reorienting health services.

Action taken to reduce the occurrence or severity of disease, classified as primary (before onset), secondary (early detection) and tertiary (limiting complications).

Testing apparently healthy people to detect disease or risk factors at an early stage, so treatment can begin sooner and outcomes improve.

Planned learning experiences that build knowledge, attitudes and skills so people can make informed decisions and take action about their own health.

The ability to find, understand, judge and use health information and services to make decisions and act on health matters confidently.

The capacity to adapt and bounce back after adversity, stress or setbacks, supported by personal skills, relationships and community resources.

Practical help, emotional encouragement and information received from family, friends, peers and community networks, which buffers stress and improves wellbeing.

A systematic process of asking questions about health, gathering and analysing evidence, and drawing defensible conclusions to inform action.

A clear, focused and answerable question that guides an investigation, specifying the population, issue and outcome being examined.

A testable statement predicting a relationship between variables, which an investigation is designed to support or reject using evidence.

Any characteristic or factor that can change or take different values in a study, such as age, activity level or blood pressure.

The consistency of a measurement or study, meaning that repeating it under the same conditions would produce similar results.

The extent to which a study or instrument actually measures what it claims to measure and the findings can be trusted as accurate.

A systematic error or distortion in how data are collected, selected, measured or interpreted, which pushes results away from the truth in a consistent direction.

The process of selecting a subset of people from a larger population for study, ideally in a way that represents that population fairly.

The systematic gathering of information using methods such as surveys, interviews, observation or secondary sources, chosen to suit the research question.

Making health decisions by combining the best available research evidence with professional expertise and the values and preferences of the person receiving care.

Speaking up and taking action on behalf of, or alongside, individuals or groups to influence decisions, policies and resources that affect their health.

Deliberate steps taken by individuals, groups or organisations to improve health conditions, change environments or influence policy and practice.

The process by which people gain knowledge, confidence, skills and control to make decisions and act on issues affecting their own health and community.

Directly persuading decision-makers such as politicians or officials to support a particular policy or resource allocation, often through meetings, letters or campaigns.

Any person, group or organisation with an interest in, or affected by, a health issue or decision, whose views and influence should be considered in planning action.

A coordinated set of activities using messages and media to raise awareness, shift attitudes or change behaviour relating to a specific health issue in a target group.