Units 1 & 2 Health & Human Development

Students develop an understanding of the dimensions and interrelationships of health and individual human development. They also research health factors and issues impacting Australia’s youth and programs or strategies that impact youth health and development. Students look in detail at the health and development of Australia’s children and adults and issues that affect Australia’s health system.

UNIT 1 - Understanding health and wellbeing

VCE Health and Human Development provides students with a broad understanding of health and wellbeing that reaches far beyond the individual. They learn how important health and wellbeing is to themselves and to families, communities, nations and global society. Students explore the complex interplay of biological, sociocultural and environmental factors that support and improve health and wellbeing, and those that compromise it. The study provides opportunities for students to view health and wellbeing, and human development, holistically – across the lifespan and the globe, and through a lens of social justice.

Learning Activities:

• Case Studies
• Analysis of text questions
• Film and Data Analysis
• Oral Presentations
• Documentary viewings

Key Skills Achieved:

• Describe and analyse various perspectives, definitions and interpretations of health and wellbeing
• Explain different dimensions of health and wellbeing
• Discuss how access to prerequisites for health can promote positive health outcomes
• Describe the subjective nature of health and wellbeing
• Identify key areas for action and improvement in youth health and wellbeing using research to interpret data
• Analyse factors that contribute to inequalities in the health status of Australia’s youth
• Analyse factors that influence the creation and implementation of, and access to, programs that target youth health such as equity, social justice, community values and funding
• Describe the possible consequences of nutritional imbalance on short and long-term health outcomes for youth
• Evaluate the effectiveness of food selection models and other initiatives in the promotion of healthy eating among youth
• Evaluate the validity of food and nutrition information from a variety of sources

Assessment:

• School Assessed Coursework (SAC’s) for this unit will include a variety of tasks including structured questions, analysis tasks and practical reports (60%)
• End of Semester Examination 30%

UNIT 2 - Managing health and development

In this area of study students continue to develop their understanding of health and individual human development of Australia’s children and adults, studying the period of conception to approximately 12 years, and the lifespan stage of Adulthood, including old age. Students also investigate how biological and behavioural factors, physical environments and social environments, including the family and community, influence health and development. Students will also examine a range of health issues that are having an impact on Australia’s health system, including Australia’s aging population, human rights and ethics, medical technology and the provision of rural health services, and investigate at least one health issue in detail.

Learning Activities:

• Case Studies
• Analysis of text questions
• Film and Data Analysis
• Oral Presentations
• Documentary viewings

Key Skills Achieved:

• Describe the stages of the human lifespan
• Collect and analyse information to draw conclusions on perceptions of youth and adulthood
• Describe the characteristics of physical, social, emotional and intellectual development
• Explain the developmental changes that characterise the transition from youth to adulthood
• Identify and explain factors that affect the ability of youth to access health services and information
• Critique sources of health information and health services
• Discuss rights and responsibilities of access to health services

Assessment:

• School Assessed Coursework (SAC’s) for this unit will include a variety of tasks including structured questions, analysis tasks and practical reports (60%)
• End of Semester Examination 30%

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Prerequisites:

‍N/A

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‍Recommendations:

‍It is recommended that the student have Health & PE elective subject experience from previous years (aside from Sport in Action).