VCE Units 3 and 4 Health and Human Development: Unit 4 Outcome 1

Area of Study 1: Global health and human development

In this area of study, students explore similarities and differences in health status and human development in low-, middle- and high-income countries, including Australia. They investigate a range of factors that contribute to health inequalities and study the concepts of sustainability and the Human Development Index to further their understanding of health and human development in a global context. Students inquire into the effects of global trends on health and human development.

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit, the student should be able to analyse similarities and differences in health status and human development globally and analyse the factors that contribute to these differences.

Key knowledge
 the concept of human development
 advantages and limitations of the Human Development Index
 characteristics of low-, middle- and high-income countries
 similarities and differences in health status and human development in low-, middle- and high-income countries, including Australia
 factors that contribute to similarities and differences in health status and human development:
– access to safe water
– sanitation
– poverty
– discrimination (race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity)

 the concept and dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social and economic) and its role in the promotion of health and human development
 implications for health and human development of global trends including:
– climate change (rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and increasing number of extreme weather events)
– conflict
– mass migration
– increased world trade (global distribution and marketing of tobacco products, e-cigarette products and processed foods)
– tourism
– digital technologies.
Key skills
 explain the concept of human development
 explain the Human Development Index and evaluate its usefulness in measuring human development in different countries
 describe characteristics of low-, middle- and high-income countries
 evaluate data to analyse similarities and differences between countries in relation to health status and human development
 analyse factors that contribute to health status and human development in different countries
 compare health data and other information to analyse reasons for health inequalities within and between countries
 explain sustainability (environmental, social and economic) and its importance in the promotion of health and human development in a global context
 analyse the implications for health and human development of particular global trends.

VCAA Study Design