Human health - Yahi Srivastava

1. FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN HEALTH

1.1 Meaning of Health

WHO definition: “State of complete physical, mental, and social well-being…”

Why the WHO definition is unrealistic and outdated (practically impossible “complete” well-being).

Modern functional definition: Ability to adapt and self-manage in physical, mental, and social domains.

1.2 Dimensions of Health

Physical: Body functioning, fitness, absence of disease.

Mental: Cognition, emotions, stress handling, resilience.

Social: Relationships, communication, social participation.

Emotional: Self-awareness, emotional stability, coping skills.

Spiritual: Purpose, values, inner peace (not religion-specific).

1.3 Determinants of Health

Biological: Genes, hormones, age, sex.

Lifestyle: Diet, exercise, sleep, habits.

Environment: Air, water, housing, pollution.

Socioeconomic: Income, education, occupation.

Healthcare access: Vaccination, early screening, treatment availability.

1.4 Health Indicators

Mortality rate

Infant mortality rate

Maternal mortality rate

Morbidity

Life expectancy

Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY)

Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY)

---

2. HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS & HEALTH

2.1 Digestive System

Organs + functions

Steps of digestion (ingestion → digestion → absorption → assimilation → egestion)

Disorders: Gastritis, ulcers, constipation, diarrhoea, IBS

Impact of junk food, low fibre, dehydration

2.2 Respiratory System

Mechanism of breathing

Gas exchange: Alveoli function

Common illnesses: Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, TB

Effects of smoking, pollution, passive smoke

2.3 Circulatory System

Structure of heart

Blood components (RBC, WBC, platelets)

Blood pressure regulation

Diseases: Hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack, anaemia

2.4 Nervous System

Central & peripheral divisions

Reflex arc

Stress physiology (sympathetic vs parasympathetic)

Disorders: Stroke, epilepsy, neuropathy

2.5 Endocrine System

Hormones: insulin, thyroid hormones, cortisol, sex hormones

Metabolic regulation

Common disorders: Diabetes, hypothyroidism, PCOS

2.6 Immune System

Innate vs adaptive immunity

Antibodies & vaccines

Autoimmune diseases: RA, lupus

Allergies: mechanism + common triggers

---

3. NUTRITION & DIET

3.1 Macronutrients

Carbohydrates: Energy, fibre importance, glycemic index

Proteins: Tissue repair, immunity, deficiency signs

Fats: Essential fatty acids, HDL vs LDL, dangers of trans fats

3.2 Micronutrients

Vitamins:

A (vision), B-complex (metabolism), C (immunity), D (bones), E (antioxidant), K (clotting)

Minerals: Iron, calcium, iodine, zinc, magnesium

3.3 Balanced Diet

Age-wise, sex-wise, and activity-wise requirements

Indian plate model

Importance of hydration

3.4 Malnutrition

Under-nutrition: Kwashiorkor, marasmus

Over-nutrition: Obesity, fatty liver

Hidden hunger: micronutrient deficiency despite enough calories

3.5 Food Safety

Food adulteration

Safe cooking/handling

FSSAI basics

---

4. PERSONAL & COMMUNITY HYGIENE

4.1 Personal Hygiene

Bathing, oral hygiene, menstrual hygiene

Handwashing technique

Safe food practices

4.2 Community Hygiene

Clean surroundings

Sanitation

Safe drinking water

Waste disposal: household, biomedical, e-waste

4.3 Common Hygiene-Related Diseases

Diarrhoea

Skin infections

Worm infestations

Flu

---

5. MENTAL HEALTH

5.1 Understanding Mental Health

Difference between stress, anxiety, and depression

Psychological resilience

5.2 Stress Management

Fight-or-flight mechanism

Breathing exercises

Sleep hygiene

Physical activity

5.3 Red Flags

Isolation

Persistent low mood

Irritability

Declining academic/work performance

5.4 Reducing Stigma

Why mental health is ignored

How early intervention saves lives

---

6. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

6.1 Modes of Transmission

Airborne

Waterborne

Vector-borne

Contact

Foodborne

Sexual transmission

6.2 Major Diseases

Tuberculosis

Malaria, dengue

Hepatitis (A, B, C)

HIV/AIDS

Diarrhoeal diseases

Typhoid

Influenza

6.3 Prevention

Vaccines

Isolation

Hygiene

Sanitation

Vector control

Safe sexual practices

---

7. NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDs)

7.1 Lifestyle Disorders

Diabetes

Hypertension

Cardiovascular diseases

Stroke

7.2 Cancer Basics

What cancer actually is

Common types

Warning signs (CAUTION mnemonic)

Screening importance

7.3 Prevention

Exercise

Healthy diet

Avoiding tobacco & alcohol

Stress control

Regular checkups

---

8. ADOLESCENCE & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

8.1 Puberty Changes

Hormonal shifts

Body changes in males & females

8.2 Menstrual Health

Normal cycle

Common problems

Proper menstrual hygiene

8.3 Sexual Health Education

Consent

Contraception basics

Prevention of STDs

Myths vs facts

8.4 Emotional & Social Changes

Mood swings

Identity development

Peer pressure

---

9. SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTIONS

9.1 Drugs & Alcohol

How they affect brain chemistry

Immediate vs long-term effects

Dependence vs addiction

9.2 Tobacco

Effects on lungs, heart, immunity

Second-hand smoke

Why quitting is difficult

9.3 Behavioural Addictions

Phone addiction

Gaming and social media addiction

Dopamine cycle

9.4 Rehabilitation

Detox

Counselling

Support systems

---

10. FIRST AID & BASIC LIFE SUPPORT

10.1 Emergency Principles

DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation)

Calling emergency services

10.2 Basic First Aid

Bleeding

Burns (degree-wise management)

Fractures

Fainting

Snake bites

10.3 CPR Basics

Adult vs child

Compression technique

AED basics

---

11. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

11.1 Pollution

Air pollution & respiratory damage

Water contamination

Soil pollution & food safety

Noise pollution & mental impact

11.2 Climate Change & Health

Heatstroke

Increased vector diseases

Mental health impact

Food insecurity

11.3 Occupational Hazards

Chemical exposure

Radiation exposure

Ergonomic issues

Workplace injuries

---

12. PUBLIC HEALTH & PREVENTION

12.1 Epidemiology Basics

Outbreak

Epidemic

Endemic

Pandemic

R0 (basic reproduction number)

Transmission chains

12.2 Vaccination

How vaccines work

Types of vaccines

Indian immunization schedule

12.3 National Health Programs (India)

NRHM

NPCDCS

RNTCP (TB)

NVBDCP (vector-borne diseases)

ICDS (nutrition)

12.4 Role of Health Workers

ASHA

ANM

PHC

Community participation