VCE Health & Human Development
VCE Health and Human Development provides students with broad understandings of health and wellbeing that reach far beyond the individual. Students learn how important health and wellbeing is to themselves and to families, communities, nations and global society. Students explore the complex interplay of biological, sociocultural and environmental factors that support and improve health and wellbeing and those that put it at risk. The study provides opportunities for students to view health and wellbeing, and development, holistically – across the lifespan and the globe, and through a lens of social equity and justice. VCE Health and Human Development is designed to foster health literacy. As individuals and as citizens, students develop their ability to navigate information, to recognise and enact supportive behaviours, and to evaluate healthcare initiatives and interventions. Students take this capacity with them as they leave school and apply their learning in positive and resilient ways through future changes and challenges. VCE Health and Human Development offers students a range of pathways including further formal study in areas such as health promotion, community health research and policy development, humanitarian aid work, allied health practices, education, and the health profession.
VCE Unit 1: Understanding health and wellbeing
Area of Study 1 - Health perspectives and influences. On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain multiple dimensions of health and wellbeing, explain indicators used to measure health status and analyse factors that contribute to variations in health status of youth.
Area of Study 2 - Health and nutrition. On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply nutrition knowledge and tools to the selection of food and the evaluation of nutrition information.
Area of Study 3 - Youth health and wellbeing. On completion of this unit the student should be able to interpret data to identify key areas for improving youth health and wellbeing, and plan for action by analysing one particular area in detail.
Unit 2: Managing health and development
Area of Study 1 - Developmental transitions. On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain developmental changes in the transition from youth to adulthood, analyse factors that contribute to healthy development during prenatal and early childhood stages of the lifespan and explain health and wellbeing as an intergenerational concept.
Area of Study 2 - Health care in Australia. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe how to access Australia’s health system, explain how it promotes health and wellbeing in their local community, and analyse a range of issues associated with the use of new and emerging health procedures and technologies.
Unit 3: Australia’s health in a globalised world
Area of Study 1 - Understanding health and wellbeing. On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the complex, dynamic and global nature of health and wellbeing, interpret and apply Australia’s health status data and analyse variations in health status.
Area of Study 2 - Promoting health and wellbeing. On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain changes to public health approaches, analyse improvements in population health over time and evaluate health promotion strategies.
Unit 4: Health and human development in a global context
Area of Study 1 - Health and wellbeing in a global context. On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse similarities and differences in health status and burden of disease globally and the factors that contribute to differences in health and wellbeing.
Area of Study 2 - Health and the Sustainable Development Goals. On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse relationships between the SDGs and their role in the promotion of health and human development, and evaluate the effectiveness of global aid programs.