Health Influences

Overview

This 60-minute engaging and hands-on lesson for Year 13 Health students at a decile 3 West Auckland high school focuses on the "Determinants of Health" using collaborative learning strategies aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum. Students will explore seven determinants with relevant local examples and participate in group activities to deepen understanding and relate theory to real life.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Explain the seven determinants of health as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and understand their impact on wellbeing (Health and Physical Education Learning Area, Level 8: Understanding factors influencing well-being) .
• Analyze how personal choices and societal factors affect health outcomes, particularly in a West Auckland context (NCEA Level 2, Achievement Standard 91369 Health).
• Work collaboratively to identify real-life examples of each determinant from their own communities, emphasising critical and creative thinking (Key Competencies: Participating and Contributing; Thinking).
• Communicate their understanding through presentation and discussion, adapting ideas for diverse audiences.

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Curriculum Alignment

• Health and Physical Education Learning Area (Years 11-13)
  • Level 8: Investigate and understand factors that influence the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
  • Key Competencies: Thinking; Managing Self; Relating to Others; Participating and Contributing.
• Values: Equity, diversity, community and participation for the common good, integrity.
• Pedagogy: Collaborative learning, explicit teaching, making connections to students’ lives and contexts【4:2, 4:9†New Zealand Curriculum.html】 .

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Lesson Plan

Time (min)	Activity	Description	Resource/Notes
0-5	Introduction & Context Setting	- Welcome students and set lesson aim: explore what shapes health beyond personal choice. - Brief starter discussion: "What factors do you think affect people’s health in West Auckland?"	Teacher introduction.
5-15	Direct Teaching: The Seven Determinants of Health	- Present PowerPoint slides one by one for each determinant. - Students write key notes in their books using teacher presenter notes. - Share definitions with examples relevant to West Auckland, e.g.: • Personal (age, genetics) • Lifestyle (diet, smoking) • Political (local health policies, smoke-free zones) • Economic (income, housing affordability) • Cultural (Maori and Pasifika whanau practices, community gatherings) • Environmental (access to parks, pollution levels) • Social (support networks, unemployment stress)	PowerPoint slides with notes for each determinant (below).
15-40	Group Exploration Activity: Matching Examples & Impact	- Divide class into 7 groups, assign each a determinant. - Groups use provided worksheets with scenarios/examples to discuss and categorize into determinants. - Groups prepare a short presentation/shareback of their findings. - Encourage connections to local community and peers’ everyday experiences.	Student worksheet & scenario cards based on local West Auckland data (customized).
40-50	Group Presentations & Class Discussion	- Each group presents their determinant, key examples, and how it impacts health. - Facilitate whole-class discussion, adding further examples and clarifications. - Emphasise interplay between determinants and encourage questions.	Teacher facilitates; students receive feedback on presentations.
50-55	Reflective Writing & Individual Connection	- Students write a short reflection: "Which determinant affects you or your community most, and why?" - Option for students to share reflections in pairs or small groups.	Promote personal engagement and critical thinking.
55-60	Summary and Next Steps	- Recap key learning points. - Explain next lesson focus on health inequalities and how determinants link to disparities. - Homework: Research one government policy affecting health in their community and its connection to determinants.	Teacher summary; set homework task.

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PowerPoint Content Outline with Notes for Student Book

1. Title Slide: Determinants of Health
2. Slide 2: Overview
   • WHO identifies 7 main determinants influencing health.
3. Slide 3: Personal Determinants
   • Factors you mostly can't change: age, sex, genetics.
   • Example: Older adults may face more health risks naturally.
4. Slide 4: Lifestyle Determinants
   • Choices you make: diet, smoking, exercise, relationships.
   • Example: Choosing to smoke affects lung health.
5. Slide 5: Political Determinants
   • Laws and policies influence health services and facilities.
   • Example: NZ’s smokefree laws reduce smoking rates.
6. Slide 6: Economic Determinants
   • Access to money affects ability to buy healthy food, housing, transport.
   • Example: Families struggling financially may live in overcrowded housing.
7. Slide 7: Cultural Determinants
   • Shared values, beliefs that affect health behaviours.
   • Example: Maori hip hop culture promoting positive identity and wellbeing.
8. Slide 8: Environmental Determinants
   • Physical surroundings like clean water, parks, pollution.
   • Example: West Auckland’s parks encourage exercise and social connection.
9. Slide 9: Social Determinants
   • Support networks, education, employment, stress levels.
   • Example: Social exclusion can lead to mental health issues.
10. Slide 10: Summary - All Determinants Interact
    • Health influenced by multiple, interconnected factors.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative assessment: Observing group work and presentations for understanding and engagement.
• Written reflections: Gauge personal connection and comprehension.
• Homework: Research task to deepen understanding in next lesson.
• Feedback will be encouraging, focusing on growth in understanding determinants and community relevance.

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Additional Teaching Tips

• Use local data and examples frequently to ground concepts in students’ lived experience.
• Encourage use of NZ English spelling and terminology.
• Promote respectful discussion of cultural determinants, linking to New Zealand’s bicultural context (Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles).
• Scaffold learning by using visuals and key vocabulary questions.
• Use flexible grouping to support different learners.
• Incorporate digital tools if available for collaborative presentations or quick polls.

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This lesson plan incorporates values, competencies, and key causal understandings in the NZ Health and Physical Education curriculum, supporting Year 13 students' development as informed citizens capable of critical and empathetic engagement with health issues in their community. 【4:2,4:9†New Zealand Curriculum.html】【4:0†Te Mataiaho English Single Page.pdf】