Page 166 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9-12: Health and Physical Education, 2015 - revised

Grade 11, College Preparation
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 9–12 | Health and Physical Education
Teacher prompt: “What strategies might teenagers use to strengthen their social support networks?”
Students: “We can extend our social support networks by looking for opportunities
to be involved in activities that connect us with other teens, supportive adults, and
the community. There are a number of things that we can do that are either free or don’t cost much, such as joining clubs or teen groups and taking advantage of volunteer opportunities.” “I started going to our friendship centre, where we receive teachings by elders and participate in other programs that are meaningful to my particular back- ground and community. As a result of these programs, I have friends, adults, and other supports that I can access whenever I need to.” “We can strengthen our existing social networks by improving the way we interact with the people in them. For example,
we can reduce or avoid conflict by learning to communicate our feelings and points
of view more diplomatically and by being more sensitive to the feelings and points
of view of others.”
A2.2 identify the key social determinants of health and the factors that shape them, and explain how they influence personal health
Teacher prompt: “There is overwhelming evidence that the health status of individuals and populations is influenced by a number of independent but interrelated social factors, such as socioeconomic status, education, employment, working conditions, food security, social inclusion and exclusion, the quality of our relationships (whether they are respectful and supportive or involve bullying and harassment), and the availability of health care services. These and a variety of other social factors are often referred to as the social determinants of health. It is the combined influence of these factors that is important
for our overall health status. Explain how some of these factors can influence health.”
Students: “Education improves our ability to think, solve problems, and develop the skills that we need to be engaged, active citizens. It can also increase our ability to make money. As a result, people with more education tend to have less economic stress and a greater sense of control over their own lives. Education also exposes people to a wider range of interests and social contacts. By enabling people to enjoy life more, it increases their sense of well-being. Because education equips people to handle responsibilities and make contributions to their societies, it can also increase feelings of self-worth. Education develops the ability to make informed decisions and helps people to be better informed about health matters.” “Working conditions, such as those requiring very long hours or shift work, can be a source of emotional and physical stress. This may result in high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease and can also lead to practices that are
harmful to health, such as poor dietary habits.”
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Teacher prompt: “Politics and public policy can have a big influence on factors that affect our health. What are some ways in which political decisions and public policy can affect the social determinants of health?”
Students: “Political decisions can create public policies that provide better access to such social determinants as education and health services.” “Public policy can help to ensure that people have safer and healthier working conditions. It can also provide people with income supports to ensure that they can afford the necessities of life, and it can provide them with social supports to help them through difficult situations.”
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