Health I: A Guide to Wellness

Course ID: ASC-301

Audience
Adult Continuing Education Program and High School Program

Course Description
This course provides the information you need to make informed choices about your personal health and well-being. It provides basic information on mental and physical health. This course covers the first seven units in the textbook, Glencoe Health: A Guide to Wellness (fifth edition). Once you complete "Health I," you may enroll in "Health II," which covers the last five units of the textbook.

Textbook and Assignment Manual Available in
large print and cassette

Organization
7 units, for a total of 20 chapters

Credit
1/2 Carnegie Unit

Prerequisites
none

Overview
Seven assignments are submitted to the instructor.

Grading
Letter grades

Course Details

Course Materials Include
The welcome letter, textbook, and Assignment Manual are available in large print and audiocassette.

Objectives and Content
This course is designed to help you achieve and maintain optimum mental and physical health based on the information presented in the textbook. The Assignment Manual, written by staff at The Hadley School for the Blind, includes selected chapter review questions intended to measure your understanding of the material.

"Health I" covers the first seven units of the textbook. "Health II," which covers the last five units, follows as a separate course. In both courses, each unit is separated into chapters, which are further divided into lessons.

Unit 1 explains why your health is your responsibility. It examines the impact of self-esteem and decision making on your health.

After completing Chapter 1, you will be able to:

1. Define health; describe the importance of health education; relate wellness to total health; and explain life-style factors.
2. Explain the relationship of self-esteem to health; identify ways to improve self-esteem; and relate goal-setting to self-esteem.
3. Give examples of decisions that affect a person's health; explain the difference between reasonable and unreasonable risks; identify the steps in the decision-making model; and explain the importance of decision-making.

Unit 2 focuses on mental health and mental disorders. It also examines the impact of stress on your mental health and well-being.

After completing Chapter 2, you will be able to:

1. Explain how mental health means much more than not being mentally ill; discuss the varying levels of mental health; and describe how self-esteem is directly related to overall wellness.
2. Recognize that all human beings have basic needs; describe Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid; and state three main factors that influence personality development.
3. Describe how emotions influence overall health; and give examples of positive and negative ways of handling emotions.

After completing Chapter 3, you will be able to:

1. Define organic and functional mental disorders; define the four main categories of functional mental disorders; and describe signs of suicidal behavior and suicide prevention methods.
2. Identify signs of mental health problems; contrast the various types of mental health care providers; and describe various therapies that mental health professionals can practice.

After completing Chapter 4, you will be able to:

1. Distinguish between stress and distress; identify daily life stressors; discuss how the body responds to stressors; distinguish between physical, pathological, and psychological fatigue; and relate excessive stress to disease.
2. Discuss the relationship between time management and stress management; describe common defense mechanisms to cope with stress; and discuss ways to manage stress.

Unit 3 explores issues related to family and social health, such as family dynamics, relationships, marriage, and parenthood.

After completing Chapter 5, you will be able to:

1. Describe the family in terms of a system; compare types of families; explain two major functions of the family; and analyze three significant changes affecting today's families.
2. Explain factors that may cause a family system to break down; describe some signs of physical and mental abuse; explain factors that lead to child abuse; describe elements that healthy families have in common; outline steps to show care and strengthen the family unit; and identify sources of help for families in crisis.

After completing Chapter 6, you will be able to:

1. Identify relationship and role, and the needs relationships fulfill; distinguish among different types of friendships; give examples of both positive and negative peer pressure and manipulation; and explain the relationship between prejudice and stereotype.
2. Identify specific types of violence common in the United States today; describe the increase in violence in schools and on the streets, as well as its impact; and explain what can be done about this increasing violence and ways to prevent it.
3. State several good listening rules; give examples of nonverbal communication; and name several refusal-skill techniques.

After completing Chapter 7, you will be able to:

1. Describe changes in marriage patterns through time; identify current marriage trends; and summarize factors that promote a successful marriage.
2. List the responsibilities and costs of parenthood; describe current trends in parenting in the U.S.; and identify what children need to be healthy.

Unit 4 describes the process of human growth. Specifically, it explains the development from conception to death.

After completing Chapter 8, you will be able to:

1. Outline the major events in the first nine months of life, from fertilization through birth; describe prenatal care and its importance; and identify prenatal risks.
2. Summarize the process of heredity; and explain genetic disorders.
3. Describe the first four of Erickson's eight stages of development.

After completing Chapter 9, you will be able to:

1. Describe the four types of changes that occur during puberty and adolescence; summarize the developmental tasks of adolescence; and discuss questions that are indicators of a well-developed personal identity.
2. Discuss how people's goals influence their choices in life; explain what is meant by peer pressure and its effect on teens; identify decisions that relate to situations facing many of today's adolescents; outline factors to consider when making responsible sexual decisions; describe ways to communicate a decision you have made; list contributing factors to teen suicide; and discuss the responsibilities of teen pregnancy and parenthood.

After completing Chapter 10, you will be able to:

1. Summarize the five developmental tasks of adulthood.
2. Describe the major developmental tasks and transitions of early and middle adulthood.
3. Summarize the biological changes of late adulthood; and summarize the social changes of late adulthood.
4. Describe the stages of accepting your own death, or the death of a loved one.

Unit 5 describes body systems, including the organs and their functions within the body's eleven major systems.

After completing Chapter 11, you will be able to:

1. Define the structure and function of the skin; describe skin problems; and describe proper skin, hair, and nail care.
2. Define the function of the skeletal system; describe the structure and function of bones; compare the various types of joints; describe problems of the joints and bones; and identify ways to care for the skeletal system.
3. Define the structure and function of muscles; describe what causes muscles to contract; describe problems of the muscular system; and identify ways to care for muscles.

After completing Chapter 12, you will be able to:

1. Describe the functions and characteristics of neurons; describe the central nervous system; describe the functions of the parts of the brain; describe the peripheral nervous system; and explain the reflex action.
2. Identify the symptoms, causes, and treatment of various injuries, diseases, and disorders of the nervous system; and discuss care of the nervous system.
3. Distinguish between endocrine and exocrine glands; explain the function of hormones; name the glands of the endocrine system; describe the effects of specific hormones on the body; and explain conditions resulting from improper functioning of certain glands.

 

After completing Chapter 13, you will be able to:

1. Describe the pathways of pulmonary and systemic circulation; and explain the purposes of arteries, capillaries, and veins.
2. Describe problems that affect the cardiovascular system; explain causes of congenital heart disease; and list risk factors related to heart disease that are within a person's control.
3. Explain the function of the lymphatic system; and describe how the two main types of lymphocytes help your body fight pathogens.
4. Explain the function of respiration; and tell where the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange takes place.

After completing Chapter 14, you will be able to:

1. Describe digestion; and explain the function of each organ of the digestive system.
2. Explain the causes of, and preventative measures for, digestive disorders.
3. Explain the function of each organ of the urinary system; and describe problems of the urinary system.

After completing Chapter 15, you will be able to:

1. Identify the structure and function of the male reproductive system; and identify some disorders of the male reproductive system.
2. Identify the structure and function of the female reproductive system; and identify some disorders of the female reproductive system.

Unit 6 focuses on personal health and physical fitness. It explains why integrating fitness into your lifestyle optimizes good mental and physical health.

After completing Chapter 16, you will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and function of the teeth and mouth; and explain periodontal disease, its causes, and its prevention.
2. Label the parts of the eye; explain the process of seeing; describe common vision problems; and discuss eye care.
3. Label the parts of the ear; explain the process of hearing; describe common hearing problems; and discuss ear care.

After completing Chapter 17, you will be able to:

1. Explain how the invention of labor-saving devices has contributed to a sedentary way of life; identify ways to build more physical activity into your daily routine; describe how exercise affects the body's circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems; and explain how exercise can benefit mental and social health.
2. Explain the basic components of physical fitness; assess your personal fitness level; distinguish among isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic exercises; explain the difference between anaerobic and aerobic exercises; and describe benefits of aerobic exercise.

After completing Chapter 18, you will be able to:

1. Develop a regular plan of exercise; identify common myths about exercise; explain how each component of an exercise session is important to overall fitness; describe ways to evaluate a personal fitness program; and contrast your resting and target heart rates.
2. Describe the most common injuries that occur during exercise; differentiate between heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke; identify the negative effects of using steroids; list points to consider when choosing clothing and equipment for exercise; and explain ways to avoid risk and injury during exercise.

Unit 7 suggests ways to make responsible food choices to achieve optimum health, and how to avoid problems with foods.

After completing Chapter 19, you will be able to:

1. Describe factors that influence one's food choices; explain how food choices reflect culture, ethnic background, and perhaps religious beliefs; identify how family members and friends sometimes affect food decisions and preferences; point out how time and money influence food choices; and discuss how eating may relate to a person's emotions.
2. Define each of the six main categories of nutrients; describe the role of each class of nutrient in maintaining good health; identify food sources for each nutrient; explain cholesterol and its relationship to overall health; contrast complete and incomplete proteins; discuss properties of water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins; and explain the meaning of Recommended Dietary Allowances, and their role as guidelines for nutrient and caloric intake.
3. Name the five food groups and recommended range of servings for each; describe tips to control fat, sugars, and sodium in foods; explain how to use the food groups and nutrients to develop health eating patterns; and list ways to make healthy fast-food choices.
4. List the information required on a nutrition information label; explain the difference between enriched and fortified foods; name reasons why additives are used in food; interpret open-dating information on food labels; and compare food prices by using unit pricing.

After completing Chapter 20, you will be able to:

1. Explain calories, their role as the body's fuel, and how they affect body weight; contrast overweight and obesity; identify the impact of obesity on overall health; describe the health risks related to being underweight; explain the relationship of weight control to eating behaviors; discuss healthful weight-loss and weight-gain strategies; identify advantages of exercise for losing, gaining, or maintaining weight; and evaluate popular diets and diet gimmicks.
2. Define eating disorders; contrast anorexia nervosa and bulimia; discuss special problems related to athletics and nutrition; and identify sports nutrition myths.
3. Identify symptoms of foodborne illness; describe ways to select and handle food safely; identify health conditions or stages of life when nutrient supplements may be beneficial; point out misleading health and organic food claims; and explain food allergies, symptoms, and sources.