Health is like an iceberg

You might be wondering: why did we choose an iceberg to talk about human health? Because there’s a lot going on under the surface that might not be visible (like an iceberg)!

So many factors play a role in keeping people healthy, and all of them are important. This illustration shows you some examples and might help you think differently when considering what lies beneath the surface of illness and injury.

 What you see — a person is unwell.

What you might not see...

Physical health

• Do they have access to healthy food?
• Does their body work and move the way they want it to?
• Do they have energy and access to places to be active?

There are lots of jobs that support this aspect of health. For example, you might become

• a doctor, healing the people who walk into your clinic every day;
• a physiotherapist, helping people recover from injuries, restore movement, and maintain a high quality of life; or
• an ergonomist, showing clients how to set up their workstation in a way that prevents discomfort or injury.

Mental health

• Do they feel good about themselves?
• Do they feel they belong?
• Do they face a lot of challenging situations?

There are lots of jobs that support this aspect of health. For example, you might become:

• a policy analyst, researching and creating new programming to ensure diverse populations have access to health care services;
• a recreation therapist, using different treatment methods to help people improve their independence and quality of life; or
• a health promoter, advocating for better mental health resources and spreading the word about them to people in your region.

Social health

• Do they have a supportive group of people around?
• Do they have many opportunities to interact with people?
• Do they have access to supports and resources in their community?

There are lots of jobs that support this aspect of health. For example, you might become

• a parks and recreation co-ordinator, making sure different communities have access to safe, well-kept spaces to play;
• a manager of an athletics facility, running inclusive programming to keep your community active; or
• an event manager, organizing community-wide festivals and events that bring people together.