Personal Health: Course Structure, Objectives, and Key Concepts

Course Overview and Structure

Introduction to Personal Health

This course provides a comprehensive overview of personal health with an emphasis on behavioral change. Students will explore multiple components of health and their relationship to total wellness, including individual, familial, community, and environmental factors. The course integrates social and behavioral change theories and models, as well as practical applications for health improvement.

• Course Credits: 3 Semester Units

• Class Times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00pm to 2:15pm

• Instructor: Wellington De Luna Vazquez, PhD, CSCS, USAW1

• Required Textbook: Donatelle, Rebecca. Health: The Basics 14th Ed., Pearson Education, Inc.

• Supplemental Resources: Pearson MyLab Mastering, PowerPoint slides, Canvas site

Course Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the components of health and their relationship to overall wellness.

• Describe how individuals, families, communities, and the environment influence health and behaviors.

• Understand and apply social and behavioral change theories and models.

• Identify and discuss specific risk factors for leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

• Delineate between and provide examples of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions for individual and community health.

• List and explain factors that influence intentional and unintentional injury.

• Determine the legal basis for public health in the US and identify the roles of government in serving the public’s health.

• Discuss current research, information, and recommendations related to health and the achievement of a healthy lifestyle.

Key Concepts in Personal Health

Components of Health

Health is a multidimensional concept that includes physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental aspects. Each component interacts to influence overall wellness.

• Physical Health: The condition of the body, including fitness, nutrition, and absence of disease.

• Mental/Emotional Health: Psychological well-being, stress management, and emotional stability.

• Social Health: Quality of relationships and social support networks.

• Environmental Health: Impact of surroundings, including air, water, and living conditions.

Behavioral Change Theories and Models

Behavioral change theories help explain why people adopt or resist healthy behaviors. Common models include:

• Health Belief Model: Focuses on perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers to health actions.

• Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change): Describes stages from precontemplation to maintenance in behavior change.

• Social Cognitive Theory: Emphasizes the role of observational learning, self-efficacy, and social influences.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Risk factors are characteristics or exposures that increase the likelihood of developing a disease or injury. Prevention strategies are classified as:

• Primary Prevention: Actions to prevent disease or injury before it occurs (e.g., vaccination, healthy diet).

• Secondary Prevention: Early detection and intervention to halt or slow disease progression (e.g., screenings).

• Tertiary Prevention: Managing disease post-diagnosis to slow or stop deterioration (e.g., rehabilitation).

Mortality and Morbidity

• Mortality: The incidence of death within a population.

• Morbidity: The incidence of disease or illness within a population.

• Example: Heart disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the US.

Course Requirements and Grading

Assignments and Assessments

Students are evaluated through exams, dynamic study modules, in-class activities, a health-related paper, group presentations, and participation.

Assessment/Assignment	Points Possible
Exams (2 exams, 100 points per exam)	200
Dynamic Study Module (13 total, 10 points each)	130
In-Class Activities (2 activities, 50 points each)	100
Health-Related Paper	100
Group Health Presentation	100
Classwork/Participation/Exit Tickets	20
Total Possible Points	650

Health-Related Paper

Each student will complete an individual paper focused on an aspect of personal and/or family health and its connection to physical activity, wellness, and lifestyle. The paper should demonstrate understanding of health factors that influence individuals and families, while exploring practical strategies to promote well-being across different settings.

• Length: 2-4 pages (excluding title and references)

• Format: APA 7th edition

• Sources: Minimum of 10 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed articles, academic books, or policy documents)

• Content:

  • Overview of the health issue: definition, key characteristics, and prevalence.

  • Risk factors and challenges: barriers that individuals or families face.

  • Strategies and interventions: evidence-based approaches for improvement.

  • Connections to course concepts: wellness dimensions, behavior change theories, health promotion models.

  • Practical applications: programs, activities, or recommendations to support healthy lifestyles.

Course Policies

Assignment Submission and Late Policy

• All assignments must be typed/word-processed and follow APA 7 format.

• Assignments emailed to the instructor will NOT be accepted for credit.

• Late assignments will be assessed a 20% reduction of grade per day late.

• Exceptions for late assignments are made only in cases of severe illness, documented family emergency, or similar problems.

Exams and Missed Work

• Exams are taken face-to-face or online via Canvas + Proctorio.

• Missed exams, presentations, or in-class quizzes require timely communication and documentation.

• Make-up exams are only allowed for excused absences with proper documentation.

Participation and Attendance

• Class participation is highly encouraged and multiple activities will occur throughout the semester.

• Attendance will be monitored; students are responsible for obtaining missed information.

• Notes will not be provided by the instructor.

Additional Academic Context

Definitions and Examples

• Wellness: An active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.

• Health Promotion: The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health.

• Example of Primary Prevention: Immunization programs to prevent infectious diseases.

• Example of Secondary Prevention: Mammography screening for early detection of breast cancer.

• Example of Tertiary Prevention: Physical therapy for stroke rehabilitation.

Relevant Equations

• Body Mass Index (BMI):

$BMI = \frac{\text{weight (kg)}}{\text{height (m)}^2}$

• Rate of Disease Incidence:

$\text{Incidence Rate} = \frac{\text{Number of new cases in a time period}}{\text{Population at risk during the same period}}$

Short Comparison Table: Types of Prevention

Type of Prevention	Definition	Example
Primary	Prevent disease before it occurs	Vaccination
Secondary	Early detection and intervention	Screening tests
Tertiary	Reduce impact of ongoing illness	Rehabilitation

Summary

This syllabus outlines the foundational concepts, objectives, and requirements for a college-level Personal Health course. Students will gain knowledge and skills to analyze health issues, apply behavioral change theories, and promote wellness for themselves and their communities.