Health Studies (ATAR)

Course Code: AEHEA/ATHEA
Domain: Health and Physical Education
Timetable: Semester 1 and 2
Length of Course: 2 Years

Course Information

This course will prepare students for career and employment pathways in a range of health and community service industries.

The Health Studies ATAR course focuses on the study of health as a dynamic quality of human life. Students undertaking this course develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to promote an understanding of the importance of personal and community action in promoting health. The influence of social, environmental, economic, and biomedical determinants of health is a key focus of the course. Other course content includes the influence of beliefs, attitudes and values on health behaviour, and the importance of self‐management and interpersonal skills in making healthy decisions. 

Year 11

Unit One

The focus of this unit is the health of individuals and communities. Students learn about the significance of
determinants and how these raise or lower the health of individuals and communities. Health promotion is
explored and used as a framework for designing approaches to improve health. Students examine personal
and popular attitudes and beliefs and their impact on decision making, and develop self-management,
interpersonal and key consumer health skills. Students extend their understandings of factors influencing
health, and actions and strategies to protect and promote health, through investigation and inquiry
processes.

Unit Two

The focus of this unit is the impact of a broad range of factors influencing the health of communities.
Students are introduced to the concept of community development and the importance of strengthening
communities through participative means where people are at the centre of health promotion action. Key
health priority areas which commonly influence the health of communities and comprehensive approaches
to achieving greater equity in health are studied. Students learn about measures of health, preventive
strategies and examine a range of emerging ethical issues arising from contemporary health practices. The
influence of beliefs, attitudes, values and norms on health behaviour is further explored, and students
continue to extend their understanding of the impact of key issues influencing the health of communities
through the development and application of investigative and inquiry approaches.

Year 12

Unit Three

The focus of this unit is the health of specific populations. Within Australia and across the globe, there are
groups who do not enjoy the same level of health as the general population. Students learn about factors
creating these disparities and ways of improving the health and wellbeing of specific groups through priority
health approaches. They examine models and social justice principles which can be applied to address health
inequity, and review actions and strategies focusing on reducing inequities. The influence of attitudinal and
environmental influences on the health of specific groups is explored. Students examine and interpret
relationships in data which explain disparities in health through the application of critical inquiry skills.

Unit Four

The focus of this unit is local, regional and global challenges to health. Despite incredible improvements to
health over many years, life expectancy rates within and across populations vary considerably. Students
learn about the impact of social determinants on global inequities and other challenges to health, and
approaches to address barriers which prevent groups from experiencing better health outcomes. Students
examine international health agencies and global and local initiatives designed to improve health. Students
further refine and apply investigative skills to analyse health issues, develop well-constructed arguments,
and draw evidence-based conclusions.

Pathway Information

Tertiary

Workforce

Further study at university in the following fields:

  • Food Science
  • Health Promotion
  • Occupational Health
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Pharmacy
  • Public Health
  • Physiotherapy

This course suits direct workforce entry into the following:

  • Armed Forces
  • Emergency Services
  • Personal Trainer
  • Coach 
  • Recreation Officer

Additional Information

Estimated Charges: $115 per year

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