Health and disease across the lifespan

This unit uses the framework of human development to examine health throughout the lifespan.

Physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural and psychosocial development and the impact of culture on health will be examined.

An introduction is provided to the course of disease for common health conditions relevant to paramedic practice, and their impact on individuals and populations. The unit outlines different types of disease, and explores common diseases from pathophysiological, psychosocial, and epidemiological perspectives.

The course of disease, and contributing and risk factors at the individual and social levels are explored, as well as the consequences for individuals, health systems, and society.

Particular conditions considered will vary but will include diseases across the communicable, non-communicable, acute, chronic and degenerative conditions relevant to paramedic practice.