Health- A state of complete physical, mental and social well being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

( WHO- concept of Health)

In ecology, an ecosystem is a community of organisms (plant, animal and other living organisms - also referred
as biocenose) together with their environment (or biotope), functioning as a unit.

Eco-system which affect this level of functioning

1. Political- the government has the power to promulgate, promote, implement and think of the different ways to alleviate
problems regarding health.

2. Behavioral- A persons level of functioning is affected directly by Culture, habits, attitudes, mores, ethnic backgrounds
and society or his environment.

3. Hereditary- There are certain diseases that is hereditary in nature, therefore individual with this circumstances doesn’t
have any control of the situation. It is said therefore that inheritance plays a part in determining lifespan and health level
of an individual

4. Health care delivery system- PHC - in Philippine setting, it is a partnership approach of the private group and the
government ; they work hand in hand to deliver effective provision of essential health services

5. Environmental Influence- People living in urban areas are prone to hazards of health. E.g. communicable and non-
communicable diseases are rampant in urban areas compare to those who are living in rural areas. Likewise those who
live in solitude life is prone to depression.

6. Socio-economic influence- In Public health centers, families from lower income brackets are the one’s mostly served

-Families within the mid-income level can provide basic health services for their members unlike those who are at poor
sector basic health services are deprived.

Elements and Components Of PHC

1. Environmental Sanitation- (adequate supply of water and good waste disposal)

2. Control of communicable disease

3. Immunization

4. Health Education

5. Maternal and child health and family planning

6. Adequate food and proper nutrition

7. Provision of medical care and emergency treatment

8. Treatment of Locally Endemic Disease

9. Provision of Essential Drugs

• Safe water and Sanitation

• Food and Nutrition
• Maternal and Child Health
• Immunisation
• Curative Care
• Essential Drugs
• Health Education
• Traditional Medicine
• Community Development
CHN as Clinician
CHN as Educator
CHN as Advocate
CHN as Manager
CHN as Collaborator
CHN as Leader
CHN as Researcher

Primary level care - This health service is provided by the physicians, nurse and Barangay health workers/ team.
Secondary level care - The physician and the health team are responsible for the assessment and treatment of health
related problem
In this level the health care professional can perform minor surgery

Tertiary level care - The care is usually given by the specialist , major surgeries are included in this level

The care is usually given by the specialist , major surgeries are included in this level

Philippine Health Care Delivery System

Primary - Barangay Health Station, Private Practitioners/ Puericulture Center, Community Hospitals and Health
Centers, Rural Health Unit

Secondary - Emergency District Hospirtals, Provincial/ City Hospitals, Provincial/ City Health Services

Tertiary - Regional Health Services, Regional Medical Centers and Training hospitals, National Health Services,
Medical Centers, Teaching and Training Hospitals

Four Cornerstones/Pillars in Primary Health Care

1. Active community participation

2. Intra and inter- sectoral linkages

3. Use of Appropriate technology

4. Support mechanism made available

Epidemic - involves more than the expected number of cases of disease occurring in a community or region during a
given period of time. An epidemic is typically a sudden severe outbreak within a region or a group ex. AIDS in
intravenous drug users.

Endemic – present in a community at all times but in low frequency. An endemic is continuous ex.Malaria; H1N1 in
some areas of the world or as with illicit drugs in certain neighborhoods.

Pandemic - is an epidemic that becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the world. For
example, AIDS is now pandemic in Africa.

Sporadic - Sporadic means occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances. Ex. Kaposi sarcoma