Systems Theory & The Medical Model of Health
What are "Systems" in the context of systems theory?
What is:
a way of making sense of the complexity of the world by looking at it in terms of wholes and relationships rather than by splitting it down into its parts
Define "mental health"
“a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.
What is the science of nutrition? Be as comprehensive as possible!
a science that studies food and the way that food impacts our body and our health.
How people consume, digest, absorb, metabolize, and store/use nutrients
How diet impacts long-term health outcomes (more on this soon)
Importantly, it also considers what influences how an individual eats (e.g., social and cultural factors, socioeconomic status, geography, access to food).
The title of Anne Fadiman's book refers to this Hmong explanation for Lia Lee’s epilepsy.
the spirit catches you and you fall down"
When did medical cannabis first appear in recorded use?
2900 BC in China
What is "Systems Thinking?"
Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving that views ‘problems’ as part of a wider, dynamic system.
It is the process of understanding how things influence one another as part of a whole.
What are the three primary types of stress?
1. acute
2. episodic
3. chronic
What are the 6 groups of nutrients?
Carbohydrates:
Lipids:
Proteins:
Vitamins:
Minerals:
Water:
Lia Lee’s family believed her epilepsy was caused by this type of spiritual or supernatural event.
"a soul leaving the body"?
When was the film "Reefer Madness" released?
1936
What is "reductionism" in systems theory?
An attempt to discuss complex phenomena (or systems) in terms of their individual parts
Define "Eustress"
“a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being”
What percent of global death of children under 5 is associated with malnutrition?
Approximately 45%
This type of traditional healer is central to Hmong healthcare practices and is called upon to heal spiritual ailments.
What is a "shaman" or "txiv neeb"?
Name three conditions that medical cannabis may treat.
IBS/IBD
Chronic Pain
Cancer
Chronic Motor of Vocal Tic Disorder
Symptoms of ALS
Epilepsy
What does "Systems Mapping" allow us to do?
Identify and map the elements of ‘things’ within a system to understand how they interconnect, relate and act in a complex system
What factors may shift eustress to distress? Provide three things.
Intensity
Duration
Predictability
Controllability
Adaptability
Vulnerability
What are three chronic health conditions associated with malnutrition?
Type II Diabetes
Cardiovascular Disease
Stroke
Certain Cancers
This social worker played a key role in helping Lia Lee’s family navigate the American healthcare system.
"Jeanine Hilt"
Name two instances in which medical cannabis may be contraindicate?
Cardiovascular instability
Pregnancy, breastfeeding
Children – unless medically indicated
What is the difference between "systems" and "sets" in systems theory?
Systems are complex interrelationships that function due to these relationships (e.g., a car is a system as it cannot function without a working engine, gasoline, a human operator, etc.)
Sets are the contrast of systems. They are distinct items without any collective function or interrelation between the two (e.g., sets of cups in your home - they exist and can function on their own [i.e., you do not need multiple cups to have a drink]).
How many different plants should we aim to eat in a week?
30!
Define "food insecurity"
the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one's basic needs.
The Hmong believe that the placenta must be buried in a specific place after a child’s birth to ensure this connection to the spirit world.
"a safe return to the afterlife"
What happened to Mae at the end of "Reefer Madness?"
She jumped out a window at the police station