002 - Measuring Health

Syllabus Point

Evaluate (AO3) life expectancy, infant mortality rate (IMR) and child mortality, HALE, calorie intake, access to safe water and access to health services as indicators of health.

Key Terminology

• Evaluate
• Infant Mortality Rate
• Child Mortality Rate
• HALE

Define the key terms above using the 'Command Words' on display in the classroom, the 'Geography Course Companion' text book by Cooke and Nagle and the links provided.

Activity One - Discussion

Why are we focusing on health?

1. How many calories does a male and female need in a day? What is the impact if we have too many or too few? Why can malnutrition occur?
2. What constitutes safe water?
3. What health services should we have access to? Why?

Read - If you are struggling, use the following links to help you.

• Malnutrition - NHS Choices
• Safe Drinking Water by www.drinking-water.org

Activity Two - Debate

• As a group you will be divided in to small teams to prepare a speech which advocates for the reliability of an indicator of health. The argument needs to be persuasive. You also need to prepare questions to query the validity of the other indicators of health.
  • Remember to use data to illustrate your ideas.
  • Our 'focus countries' include USA, UK, China, Brazil and Ethiopia so if possible try and use examples from these countries.
  • Length of speech - 5 minutes

Activity Three - Analyse

• Write a paragraph explaining which of the indicators in the syllabus point is the strongest and weakest. (Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality Rate, Child Mortality Rate, HALE, Calorie Intake, Access to Safe Drinking Water and Access to Health Services).

Activity Four - Notes

• Using the textbook 'Geography Course Companion' pages 255-258 make notes on the variations in health: key indicators.