NCEA Level 2 Health Education key terms

A Māori view of health as wellbeing across four connected dimensions: taha tinana (physical), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional), taha whānau (social) and taha wairua (spiritual). All four interact rather than standing alone.

A Māori health model that pictures wellbeing as a house supported by four walls: physical, mental and emotional, social and spiritual. If one wall is weak, the whole house is affected.

The physical dimension of hauora: how the body functions, grows and is cared for through movement, nutrition, sleep, hygiene and safety. It includes physical capability and freedom from illness or injury.

The mental and emotional dimension of hauora: how a person thinks, feels, expresses emotion and copes with stress. It covers self-esteem, mood and the ability to make decisions and solve problems.

The social dimension of hauora: a person's relationships with family, friends, whānau and community, including a sense of belonging, support and connection to others.

The spiritual dimension of hauora: a person's sense of meaning, purpose, values and connection to something larger than themselves, which may include culture, faith, ancestry or the natural world.

An approach that treats health as the combined state of physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects of a person's life, rather than as the absence of disease alone.

The conditions and factors that shape a person's health, such as income, housing, education, employment, culture, environment and access to services. They can be personal, social, economic or environmental.

A person's or group's social and economic position, usually judged by income, occupation and education. It strongly influences housing, nutrition, stress and access to health services.

A difference in health outcomes between groups that is unfair and avoidable, often caused by unequal access to resources and power. It differs from natural variation in health status.

The principle that everyone should have a fair opportunity to achieve good health, which may require giving more support to groups facing greater barriers, rather than treating everyone identically.

The process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve, their health. It includes building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments and strengthening community action.

An action a person takes that protects or improves their wellbeing, such as regular exercise, balanced eating, adequate sleep, seeking help early or avoiding harmful substances.

An action that increases the chance of harm to a person's physical, mental, social or spiritual wellbeing, such as binge drinking, vaping, unsafe driving or unprotected sex.

A condition, characteristic or behaviour that makes a negative health outcome more likely. Risk factors can be individual, such as low self-esteem, or environmental, such as easy access to alcohol.

A condition or quality that reduces the chance of harm and supports wellbeing, such as strong whānau support, positive role models, cultural connection, problem-solving skills or involvement in sport.

The ability to cope with challenges, setbacks and stress and to recover or adapt afterwards. It is built through supportive relationships, skills, experience and a sense of purpose.

The actions and thoughts a person uses to manage stress or difficult emotions. They can be helpful, such as talking to someone or exercising, or unhelpful, such as avoiding problems or using substances.

Knowledge and skills that help a person recognise, understand, prevent and manage mental health difficulties, including knowing when and where to seek help for themselves or others.

Negative labelling and social disapproval attached to a condition, identity or behaviour, which can cause shame and discourage people from seeking help or disclosing their situation.

The actions a person takes to find support for a problem, such as telling a friend, seeing a school counsellor, contacting a helpline or visiting a doctor. It depends on trust, awareness and stigma.

The sense of belonging and closeness a person feels with other people and groups. Strong connectedness supports emotional wellbeing and acts as a buffer against stress and isolation.

A Māori concept describing relationships, kinship and a sense of family connection and mutual support. It emphasises belonging, shared responsibility and caring for one another.

The beliefs, opinions and principles a person holds that shape how they view health issues and how they act. They influence decisions about risk, help-seeking and treatment of others.

The process of weighing options, consequences and influences to choose a course of action. In health contexts it involves considering risks, values, social pressure and the wellbeing of self and others.

The short-term and long-term outcomes that follow a choice or action. Health decisions can have physical, emotional, social, legal, financial and cultural consequences for the person and others.

The personal, interpersonal, societal and cultural factors that shape what a person does, including peers, whānau, media, culture, beliefs, money and environment.

The direct or indirect influence of people of similar age or status that encourages a person to adopt certain behaviours, attitudes or choices, which may be positive or negative.

The unwritten rules and shared expectations within a group about which behaviours are normal, acceptable or expected. Perceived norms strongly influence choices such as drinking or vaping.

The effect that television, social media, advertising, gaming and online content have on a person's knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, including through targeted marketing and unrealistic body images.

An approach that aims to reduce the negative effects of risky behaviour rather than simply demanding abstinence, for example providing safe transport home or needle-exchange programmes.

Recommended amounts and types of movement for good health. For young people these commonly include at least one hour of moderate to vigorous activity daily plus strengthening activities several days a week.

Time spent sitting or lying down while awake and using little energy, such as screen time or prolonged sitting. High levels are linked to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

The process of getting and using the nutrients the body needs from food and drink. Balanced nutrition supports growth, energy, immunity and mood and reduces the risk of long-term disease.

How easily a person can obtain health services, affected by cost, distance, waiting times, transport, cultural safety and knowledge of what is available. Poor access creates inequity.

Health care that respects and responds to a person's culture, identity and values, so they feel safe and understood. It requires practitioners to examine their own biases and power.

Action taken to speak up for, or with, individuals or groups to improve their wellbeing, change unfair policies or increase access to resources and services.

A specific condition or concern affecting wellbeing, such as bullying, mental distress, obesity, alcohol harm or sexually transmitted infections, which can be examined through causes, effects and responses.