GRADE: 9

SUBJECT: EPH

READING SECTION:

Topic: Concept of Health, Population and Environment education

Health and Health Education

According to World Health Organization (WHO), 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental

and social well- being and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity.' This definition clarifies

that a healthy person must be physically fit, mentally fresh (alert) and socially well-adjusted.

This definition has gone through many sorts of criticism for being too broad. It is almost

impossible to obtain such healthy persons who are physically, mentally and socially sound at the

same time.

The criticism against the definition of health by 𝐖HO are,

Health is not a state but a dynamic process.

It seems theoretically good but almost impractical in day to day life.

This definition has not mentioned the relation of health with quality of life.

Aspects of Health

Physical health

Physical health denotes

physical fitness in which

all of the body organs

functions well.

Mental health

Mental health is the aspects

of human health related to

mind and mental states of

the people.

Social health

Social health is the state

of human health

determined by the social

characteristics of the

people.

Characteristics of a healthy person

Active body Active body

Physical characteristic

1. Healthy body

systems

2. Cheerfulness

3. Sound sleep

4. Good appetite

5. Active body

Mental characteristic

1. Good memory

2. Self-control

3. Free from internal

conflicts

4. Feeling of self esteem

5. Self confidence

Social characteristic

1. Cooperation

2. Leadership

3. Good moral character

4. Capacity to be adjusted in

family and society

5. Ability to comply the accepted

rules and norms

Health Education:

Health education can be defined as a continuous process that enables the learners to bring change in

knowledge, attitude and behavior related to health.

Need and Importance of Health Education

Health education teaches the methods of remaining healthy.

It brings reformation in an unhealthy lifestyle.

It teaches to get rid of diseases.

It helps in the conservation of environment.

It develops healthy manpower.

Population and population education

Population can be defined as the total number of people residing in a particular area in a specific

time period.

The population education is an educational program which provides learners for the study of

population for the study of population situation in family, community, nation and the world with

the purpose of developing rational and responsible attitudes and behavior towards that situation.

Population education assists people in taking decision in various matters related to proper age at

marriage, conception, birth spacing etc.

Need and Importance of Population Education

• Population education gives knowledge about population situations.

• It brings positive changes in population behaviors.

• It helps people to make their family happy.

• It helps in utilizing natural resources in proper way.

• It contributes to sustainable development.

Environment and Environment Education

Environment is the totality of surrounding that encompasses various biotic, abiotic and socio-

cultural components and their interactions.

Environment education is the process of recognizing values and clarifying concepts in order to

develop skills and attitudes necessary to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness among

man, his culture and his biophysical surrounding.

Need and Importance of Environment Education.

Environment education imparts knowledge about the different aspects of environment.

It raises awareness and skills for rational and responsible utilization of environmental resources.

It helps to integrate environment conservation activities while carrying out development activities.

It helps to maintain ecological balance for the survival of all living beings.

It assists people in developing rational attitude and behavior towards the environmental situation.

Interrelationship between Health Education, Population Education and Environment Education

Health, population and environment education are interrelated to one another in several ways. the

relationship can be established on the basis of following aspects,

Biological aspect

1. Physical Aspect:

Physical aspect includes those things, which have non-living physical existence. This aspect includes

natural resources like air, water, soil etc. On the other hand different man made components like

buildings, bridge, road, canals, hospitals, industries etc. are also included in physical aspect.

Population distribution depends on availability of physical components. People prefer to live in those

places where more physical facilities are available.

2. Biological aspect:

Biological aspect includes the living components of surroundings. The degree of quality of life is

determined by the richness of biological resources of that place. Biological aspect contributes to

maintain sound health and keep the environment clean and healthy. Human survival is possible only

with the consumption of biotic resources of the environment. The population size directly and

indirectly influences the environment.

3. Economic aspect:

Economic aspect is the sum of all products of human activities and advancement of economy along

with civilization. All areas of health, population and environment will be affected by the economic

condition of the nation as economic funds are necessary for conducting health, population and

environment activities. For example, industries, factories, agriculture etc. need raw materials from the

environment which help to boost up the economic status of the family, community and nation. On the

other hand, economic condition of the people determines their health.

4. Socio-cultural aspect:

Socio-cultural aspects includes social norms, values, social systems, tradition and practices. Different

aspects of health, population and environment are interrelated with socio cultural aspect. The customs,

living standard, festivals, religious traditions etc. affect the health and environment. The socio-cultural

practices are influenced by the environmental factors around us and their utilization. They are mostly

associated with locally available plants, animals, rivers and other natural resources. Similarly,

environment and our health are also affected by these practices.

5. Political aspect:

Political aspects determine guidelines for various dimensions of nation. National health strategies are

formulated by the government and government is made by political activities like election, activities of

political parties and other political movements. In this way, political aspects of a nation determine the

state of health, population and environment.

6. Psychological aspect:

Psychological aspect is related with the mental state of human being which represents feelings,

understanding, attitude and behavior of the individuals. The will power of people will provide

motivation to conserve environment and promote overall health condition of the mass population.

Programs and policies cannot be effective until and unless people are willing to participate from their

heart in various conservation plans as well as population management programs. Hence, we can

conclude health, population and environment education are directly interrelated through psychological

aspects too.

7. Science and technological aspects:

Human health, population and environment are interrelated on the basis of science and technological

aspect developed by human beings. It has made the world a small place and human life productive and

comfortable. The proper utilization of benefits by science and technology makes human life

comfortable and productive. On the other hands, misuse of boon of science and technology ruins the

civilization and existence of the world.

Scope of Health, Population and Environment Education

Scope of health education

In terms of social setting

1. Home

2. School

3. Community

Scope of population

education

1. Demography

2. Determinants of

population change

3. Consequences of rapid

population growth.

4. Human sexuality and

reproduction

5. Planning for future

Scope of environment education

1. Physical aspect

2. Biological aspect

3. Socio-cultural aspect

1. Home:

Home is the first school for all. Every individual learn basic skills of survival at home. S/he gets

different experiences of health education like personal hygiene, proper time to eat, sanitation, proper

time to sleep, cleanliness etc. from home.

Scope of Health Education

Scope of health education can be understood as the areas included in health education.

2. School:

School is an institution from where students can learn many information, ideas and experiences

through formal and non-formal educational program. They achieve several forms of health knowledge

and develop healthy attitude and practice accordingly. It also educates the students about preventive,

promotive and curative health services.

3. Community:

Community is a group of people who live in a definite geographical area in an organized way.

Community can be taught about sanitation, public health, management of wastes, prevention and

control of communicable diseases and so on.

Scope of Population Education

Population education is a multidisciplinary subject. Scope of population education is broad enough

since it is related with various aspects and discipline.

1. Demography:

It is the scientific study of human population in relation to changes caused by the birth, death and

migration.

2. Determinants of population change:

Birth, death and migration are the major factors that bring change in population size either by

increasing or by decreasing.

3. Consequences of rapid population growth:

Population growth has been a big problem all over the world. RPG causes adverse effects on social,

economic and environmental aspects.

4. Human sexuality and reproduction:

Population is increased due to birth, which is a result of human sexuality. This stream has been a scope

of population education as it teaches about sex behavior of human being, human reproductive system,

adolescence etc.

5. Planning for future:

A major concern of population education is to change the fertility behavior of the youths and help

them in planning for their future. Population education deals with family size, family income,

expenditure, marriage at appropriate age, birth spacing etc. which are related with the planning for the

future.

Scope of Environment Education

The environment is a complex phenomenon. The scopes of environment education are:

1. Physical aspect:

The physical aspect includes non-living things (either natural or man-made). Environment education

gives knowledge about the status of air, water, soil, rocks, gases etc. and other various physical

components.

2. Biological aspect:

Biological aspect includes all biotic factors (plants and animals). Some of the educational streams

related to the biotic aspects are biology, agriculture, forestry etc.

3. Socio-cultural aspect:

Environment has some of abstract aspects too. Abstract aspects include religious, cultural, ethnic,

social norms and values. Some of the educational streams dealing with this aspect are sociology, civics

and anthropology.

1. Give very short answers to the following questions.

a. Define health, population and environment.

b. What do you mean by population education?

c. Mention any four characteristics of a healthy person.

d. Write any two scopes of population education.

e. What is demography?

f. Write any two importance of health education.

g. Write a difference between biological and physical aspects of environment.

h. Under which aspect of infrastructure of development do road and building come?

i. What aspects are included in the definition of health by WHO?

2. Give short answers to the following questions.

a. "Health, population and environment education is for the enrichment of quality of life." Justify.

b. Explain the scope of population education.

c. How healthy environment does helps in maintaining happy and prosperous life? Write.

d. Explain the interrelationship between health, population and environment education in terms of

physical, psychological and economic aspects.

e. Explain the scope of environment education.

Activity:

Contact Person:

Name: Mrs. Sanjila Malego Shrestha

Phone No.: 9841831862

Email Address: sanjilamalego@gmail.com