Question 1

Which of the following regions has the greatest life expectancy?

Accepted Answer

Southern Europe has the greatest life expectancy among the options listed, due to factors such as advanced healthcare systems, healthy Mediterranean diets, and high standards of living.

Question 2

An elderly woman had an accident with her car.The woman's doctor met with her,at her daughter's insistence,and consequently the elderly woman's driving privileges were suspended.Later,the daughter learned that her mother's car was part of a recall for a mechanical defect that might have caused the accident.What term best describes the circumstances in this case?

Accepted Answer

The term medicalization refers to the process of taking a social or personal problem and defining it as a medical condition, which can result in medical intervention and treatment. In this case, the woman's accident was initially attributed to her age and potential decline in cognitive abilities, resulting in her driving being suspended. However, it was later discovered that a mechanical defect was the likely cause of the accident, indicating that the problem was not solely related to her age or health, but rather an issue with the car itself. This highlights the potential for medicalization to overlook other potential factors contributing to a situation.

Question 3

Darma is 80-years-old and living on a very tight budget;she cannot afford to travel.Leonard is also 80 and has a generous pension so he can afford to travel.However,he suffers from terrible arthritis,so he is unable to travel.According to your text,what could explain Darma and Leonard's similar ends?

Accepted Answer

The age as leveller hypothesis suggests that as people age, the impact of social factors such as income and health decreases, leading to more similarities in outcomes. In this case, despite their differences in income and health, Darma and Leonard may have similar outcomes due to their shared experience of being 80 years old.

Question 4

Two people suffer from insomnia.One joins a yoga class to relax as a treatment for insomnia,while the second person goes to a doctor and gets sleeping pills.Which statement best describes the attitude of the second person?

Accepted Answer

By going to a doctor and getting sleeping pills, the second person has approached insomnia as a medical condition that requires medication. This suggests that they view insomnia as a medical issue that can only be treated through medication, rather than considering alternative treatments such as relaxation techniques. This reflects the medicalization of insomnia, where it is viewed as a disorder that can only be treated through medical interventions, rather than as a natural part of the sleep cycle that can be addressed through lifestyle changes or other non-medical interventions.

Question 5

According to the textbook,differences in rates of health problems and mortality can be explained by the strong association between education and what other factor?

Accepted Answer

The strong association between education and income can explain differences in rates of health problems and mortality. People with higher levels of education tend to have higher incomes, which can provide access to better healthcare, healthier food options, and safer living environments. This can lead to better overall health outcomes and lower mortality rates.

Question 6

At the age of 68,Edith is diagnosed with diabetes and her husband,Archie,ensures that she takes her medication and eats properly.He takes her to the necessary doctor appointments.When Archie dies,which of the following individuals would most likely be tending to Edith's health needs?

Accepted Answer

According to the scenario, Archie was the one caring for Edith's health needs after her diabetes diagnosis. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that her daughter Sally would be the most likely candidate to take over that role after Archie's death as family members are usually the first to step in and provide care.

Question 7

Prem Gupta,like many people coming to Canada recently,belongs to a group of people who are less likely to have chronic diseases.Which of the following describes the effect of this trend?

Accepted Answer

The described trend is commonly known as the "healthy immigrant effect", where immigrants coming to Canada (or other developed countries) tend to be healthier than the general population due to various factors such as younger age, better education, lower prevalence of chronic diseases in their home countries, and mandatory health screenings before entering the country. This effect has been observed across different ethnic and racial groups, not just limited to Indians or Asians, although they may be the most prominent groups experiencing this phenomenon.

Question 8

Which statement most accurately describes trends in health?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that, in general, women live longer than men but also suffer from more chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and depression, particularly in their later years. This trend is observed among senior populations.

Question 9

Kevin,a middle-aged man,takes scrupulously good care of himself and says he wants to live to a ripe old age and burn like an incandescent light bulb: it functions at 100 percent capacity then suddenly "flames out." Which term best describes what Kevin is talking about?

Accepted Answer

The compression of morbidity hypothesis states that individuals can reduce the length of time they spend in a state of morbidity (i.e., illness, disability) before death. This aligns with Kevin's desire to function at 100 percent capacity until the end of his life and then "flame out" suddenly, rather than experiencing a prolonged period of ill health.

Question 10

Fernanda is a doctor in Ontario.According to your text,when her patient Manuel visits her office,what kind of space is Manuel entering?

Accepted Answer

Manuel is visiting Fernanda's office as a patient, which is typically considered a private space where confidential medical information is shared between the patient and doctor.

Question 11

Darien is adamantly opposed to privatizing the healthcare system in Canada.When asked the reason for his stance,which of the following would he offer?

Accepted Answer

Darien would argue that privatizing the healthcare system would create inequality of access to healthcare, as those who can afford to pay for private healthcare would receive better and faster care than those who cannot afford it. This would go against the principles of universal healthcare in Canada, which strives to provide equal access to healthcare for all citizens.

Question 12

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (2011),how many adults over the age of 64 has some form of dementia?

Accepted Answer

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (2011), about 1 in 11 adults over the age of 64 have some form of dementia.

Question 13

Which of the following is characteristic of home care in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Home care in Canada is designed to support seniors in maintaining their independence by providing necessary health and personal care services in their own homes.

Question 14

Jimmy is a poorly paid groundskeeper,who works at least 10 hours of overtime every week spraying pesticides on massive lawns in the upscale neighbourhoods of his city.After work,he grabs a meal at a fast-food restaurant that he takes home and eats in front of the television,all the while thinking of how easy life must be for the people whose lawns he looks after.Which perspective would Jimmy exemplify?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jimmy is a poorly paid groundskeeper,who works...

Question 15

How do the costs of private health care compare to the costs of universal public health care?

Accepted Answer

The costs of private health care are generally higher than those of universal public health care. Private health care providers need to generate profit to stay in business, while public health care systems are government-funded and often operate on a non-profit basis. Private health care can offer more options for patients, but this comes with a higher cost. In contrast, universal public health care typically has lower costs and provides consistent access to care for all citizens.

Question 16

At the dinner table,conversation focused on Canada's recent government proposal to increase immigration numbers.Robert's father was opposed,stating "They're just going to be a drain on our healthcare system." Robert interjected that they will probably be healthier than a number of Canadian-born citizens.Why would Robert assert this?

Accepted Answer

Robert's assertion likely stems from the fact that potential immigrants to Canada must undergo health screenings and meet certain health standards as part of the immigration process, ensuring they are not a burden on the healthcare system upon arrival.

Question 17

What is a likely consequence of abolishing mandatory retirement?

Accepted Answer

Abolishing mandatory retirement would likely lead to an increase in the number of people staying in the workforce past the age of 65, leading to more people employed in their 70s and 80s. This may also have a positive effect on the economy by contributing to the workforce and reducing strain on retirement savings. It is unlikely that mandatory retirement abolishment would lead to a greater burden on the health-care system or cause people to live longer lives as these factors are influenced by many other variables. While some individuals may choose to retire before 65, retirement options would likely become more flexible with the abolition of mandatory retirement.

Question 18

In terms of immigration and health,which of the following is a policy of the Canadian government?

Accepted Answer

The Canadian government requires potential immigrants to undergo medical examinations to ensure they meet a minimum standard of health before being admitted. This policy is in place to protect public health and prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Question 19

Several years ago,the province of Alberta contracted with an organization called Networc Health to provide knee,foot,and ankle surgeries.It was the only organization outside the Alberta Health Authority's government-run medical facilities to provide any surgical services.What term best describes Alberta's agreement with Networc Health?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Several years ago,the province of Alberta contracted...

Question 20

According to your text,what term describes the study of human population size,characteristics,structure,and distribution,and how these change over time?

Accepted Answer

Demography is defined as the study of human population size, characteristics, structure, and distribution, and how these change over time. Gerontology is the study of aging, phrenology is a debunked theory linking skull shape to personality traits, and cartography is the study and creation of maps.

Quiz 18: Health and Aging