Determinants of health are factors that influence and decide our level of health, and increase or decrease our risk of getting a particular disease.  The following is a list of risk factors for the NHPAs.

bi = biological             be = behavioural             so = social             ph = physical environment

Cancer control

• (bi) age: as people get older, risk increases
• (bi) sex: males – prostate, females – ovarian, cervical and breast
• (bi) genetic predisposition
• (bi) excess body weight
• (be) sun exposure: skin cancer, melanoma
• (be) smoking: lung cancer
• (be) excessive alcohol use: liver cancer
• (be) diet – high in red meat and low in fibre: colorectal cancer
• (so) occupation: blue collar jobs exposed to chemicals, dusts and radiation (lung cancer) and UV (skin cancer)
• (ph) pollution of air, water, food and soil

Cardiovascular health

• (bi) high blood pressure and blood cholesterol
• (bi) excess body weight
• (bi) age
• (bi) hormones: oestrogen is a protective factor against CVD (hence pre-menopausal females are at less risk)
• (be) smoking
• (be) physical inactivity
• (be) diet: high in saturated and trans fats and sodium, low in fibre
• (so) low SES: lower income and thus less access to fresh foods and healthcare
• (ph) rural location: less access to fresh foods and increased processed foods consumption

Injury prevention and control

• (bi) age: children and elderly have increased falls risk
• (bi) sex: males are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours
• (bi) hormones: testosterone increases risk-taking behaviours
• (bi) osteoporosis: low bone density and increased risk of fractures
• (be) excessive alcohol consumption and illicit drug use
• (be) unsafe driving practices
• (so) occupation: hazardous physical work
• (ph) rural location: unsafe roads and poor road signage in rural areas

Mental health

• (bi) age: youth, mid-life crisis
• (bi) females
• (be) illicit drug use
• (so) low SES: low income and thus financial stress
• (so) unemployment
• (so) social exclusion and poor social support
• (so) domestic violence and broken families
• (ph) rural location: isolation and employment difficulties

Diabetes mellitus

• (bi) excess body weight
• (bi) ethnicity: Indigenous Australians
• (bi) sex: males
• (bi) genetics and genetic predisposition
• (be) diet: high fat and high GI foods, and low fibre intake
• (be) physical inactivity
• (so) low SES
• (ph) rural location: less access to fresh foods and healthcare

Asthma

• (bi) age: children
• (bi) genetics
• (be) smoking
• (so) occupation: exposure to asthma triggers, dusts and chemicals in the workplace
• (ph) overcrowding, poor housing, pollution and poor air quality
• (ph) others smoking in the home

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions

• (bi) age: elderly
• (bi) sex: female
• (bi) hormones: the decrease in oestrogen after menopause decreases bone density
• (bi) excess body weight: places stress on bones and joints
• (be) smoking: increases rheumatoid arthritis risk
• (be) diet: low in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D
• (be) physical inactivity: weight-bearing exercise increases bone density and maintains healthy joints and muscles

Obesity

• (be) diet: high in fat, high GI foods, and low in fibre
• (be) physical inactivity
• (be) alcohol consumption: alcohol is high in kilojoules
• (so) low SES: less dietary knowledge and less income to afford fresh foods
• (so) occupation: sedentary occupation
• (ph) lack of community facilities: e.g. gyms, parks, courts, bike paths
• (ph) rural location: less access to fresh foods, more likely to consume processed foods

Dementia

• (bi) age: elderly
• (bi) family history
• (bi) other conditions: e.g. cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity
• (be) tobacco use
• (be) physical inactivity
• (be) lack of mental stimulation
• (be) excess alcohol consumption: can damage brain
• (be) diet: high in saturated and trans fats