Writing About Health
Health is a multifaceted concept encompassing both mental and physical well-being. It is a constantly evolving state of being affected by personal, environmental, and genetic factors that are subject to change through an individual’s interaction with their environment. This concept of health was originally defined in 1948 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
The WHO definition was created during a time of global warfare and public health concerns were limited to infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. This definition has since been criticized for being overly restrictive and for limiting the role of the medical profession in promoting health. A broader approach is needed that acknowledges the importance of human functioning and the complex, interconnected nature of life.
A reworking of the original definition has been proposed by several authors. This new definition focuses on the concept of balance in adapting to conditions and situations that threaten an individual’s life. It also includes the idea of resiliency in response to those threats. It is a dynamic concept that requires both internal and external resources to maintain. For example, a competitive swimmer with Down syndrome or a high school teacher with bipolar disorder are both considered healthy because they find ways to use their internal and external resources to achieve their goals. Those same individuals may experience a decrease in their health if they have to cancel their summer plans or adjust their medication due to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Writing articles about health can be challenging because there are so many different things to consider when writing an article on this topic. For one, it is important to know the audience of your article. This can help you focus your research and decide what type of information to include in the article.
Choosing a format can also affect how you write your health article. For example, are you writing a brief news story, an in-depth feature article, or a profile of a researcher studying a specific treatment? Finally, it is helpful to keep up with the research in the field of health. You can do this by signing up for email alerts from scientific journals and by using Google Scholar to set up search parameters that will notify you when a new paper is published on your chosen topic.
Whether you are writing about health for an audience of general readers, health professionals, or scientists, it is important to fully understand the context and meaning of your article before starting to write. It will save you time and effort and ensure that your article is accurate and useful. If you are unsure about how to begin, consult an editor or mentor who can provide guidance and suggestions.
Health is a multifaceted concept encompassing both mental and physical well-being. It is a constantly evolving state of being affected by personal, environmental, and genetic factors that are subject to change through an individual’s interaction with their environment. This concept of health was originally defined in 1948 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The WHO definition was created during a time of global warfare and public health concerns were limited to infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. This definition has since been criticized for being overly restrictive and for limiting the role of the medical profession in promoting health. A broader approach is needed that acknowledges the importance of human functioning and the complex, interconnected nature of life. A reworking of the original definition has been proposed by several authors. This new definition focuses on the concept of balance in adapting to conditions and situations that threaten an individual’s life. It also includes the idea of resiliency in response to those threats. It is a dynamic concept that requires both internal and external resources to maintain. For example, a competitive swimmer with Down syndrome or a high school teacher with bipolar disorder are both considered healthy because they find ways to use their internal and external resources to achieve their goals. Those same individuals may experience a decrease in their health if they have to cancel their summer plans or adjust their medication due to changes in the COVID-19 pandemic. Writing articles about health can be challenging because there are so many different things to consider when writing an article on this topic. For one, it is important to know the audience of your article. This can help you focus your research and decide what type of information to include in the article. Choosing a format can also affect how you write your health article. For example, are you writing a brief news story, an in-depth feature article, or a profile of a researcher studying a specific treatment? Finally, it is helpful to keep up with the research in the field of health. You can do this by signing up for email alerts from scientific journals and by using Google Scholar to set up search parameters that will notify you when a new paper is published on your chosen topic. Whether you are writing about health for an audience of general readers, health professionals, or scientists, it is important to fully understand the context and meaning of your article before starting to write. It will save you time and effort and ensure that your article is accurate and useful. If you are unsure about how to begin, consult an editor or mentor who can provide guidance and suggestions.